Boeing RB-29 / F-13 (Superfortress)

History

During World War II, the United States needed better long-range reconnaissance. They modified existing bombers, but those had limitations. The introduction of the Boeing B-29 "Superfortress" in 1943 changed everything. They converted some B-29 models into the F-13 variant for high-altitude reconnaissance. These modified bombers had cameras and increased fuel capacity. They were deployed in the Pacific and provided valuable photographic evidence. After the war, the series was renamed and used in the Korean War. The last sortie of the war was carried out by RB-29As.

Specification

Basics

Years of Service: 1944

Origins: United States

Status: Retirement

Crew: 13

Production: 100

Manufacturer: Boeing Company - USA

Operators: United States

Roles

Intelligence-Surveillance-Reconnaissance (ISR), Scouts

Monitor ground targets/target areas to assess surrounding threat levels, enemy strength, or enemy movement.

Dimensions and Weight

Length: 99.0 ft (30.18m)

Width/span: 141.2 feet (43.05m)

Height: 27.7 feet (8.45m)

Cured weight: 66,139 lbs (30,000 kg)

MTOW: 132,277 lbs (60,000 kg)

Wgt Difference: +66,139 lb (+30,000 kg)

Performance

Installed: 4 x Wright R-3350-23 Duplex Cyclone 18-cylinder turbocharged air-cooled radial piston engines, each producing 2,200 hp and driving a four-blade propeller unit.

Maximum speed: 224 km/h (360 km/h | 194 knots)

Maximum: 31,857 feet (9,710 m | 6 km)

Area: 5,418 km (5,500 km | 10,186 nautical miles)

Rate of climb: 900 ft/min (274 m/min)

Armament

8 to 12 x .50 Browning air-cooled heavy machine guns (HMG) mounted in remotely operated dorsal and ventral turret and rear-facing stern turret locations.

Mission equipment includes 3 x K-17B, 1 x K-18 and 2 x K-22 camera systems with optional camera/film/photo flash bombs in the forward bomb bay.

Rear bomb bay reserved for additional fuel supply.