Was the B-29 a good plane?

Considered the most advanced bombers in the world, the B-29s had pressurized cabins, remote control gun placements and 2,200-horsepower engines — the most powerful piston engines of the time. Able to fly over 3,000 miles, up to 16 hours, these bombers were just what the Allies needed to target Japan.

What made the B-29 Superfortress so effective?

The Cannons on the B-29 Bomber Were a Mid-Century Engineering Masterpiece. Five remote-controlled cannons with computer-aided aiming made the Superfortress way, way ahead of its time. This would allow the computer to calculate range and speed of the enemy aircraft.

Did the B-29 have engine problems?

By 1943 the ultimate development of the new bomber program, the Boeing B-29 Superfortress, was flying. The engines remained temperamental, and showed an alarming tendency for the rear cylinders to overheat, partially due to minimal clearance between the cylinder baffles and the cowl.

What happened to excess airplanes during WWII?

many needed to be sold or scrapped. Some U.S. military aircraft overseas were not worth the time or money to bring back to the States, and were consequently buried, bulldozed or sunk at sea. Most, however, were returned home for storage, sale or scrapping.

How many B-29 bombers shot down?

Over the course of the war, B-29s flew 20,000 sorties and dropped 200,000 tonnes (180,000 tons) of bombs. B-29 gunners were credited with shooting down 27 enemy aircraft. In turn 78 B-29 were lost; 57 B-29 and reconnaissance variants were lost in action and 21 were non-combat losses.

What is the history of the B – 29?

The Boeing B-29 Superfortress is a four-engine propeller-driven heavy bomber designed by Boeing, which was flown primarily by the United States during World War II and the Korean War. It was one of the largest aircraft operational during World War II and featured state-of-the-art technology.

What is Doc B-29 Superfortress?

B-29 Doc is one of the only two flying B-29 Superfortresses in the world. Doc was one of the aircraft built by the Boeing Company in Wichita in the 1940s during World War II. Doc was built in 1944 and was assigned to a radar calibration squadron in upstate New York. It was a part of the Snow White squadron where it got its name.

Where were B29 bombers built?

The US Auto Industry and the B-29 ” Enola Gay “: The first three Silverplate nuclear bombers were built at the Boeing Wichita, KS plant. The “Enola Gay” and the of remaining 43 Silverplate nuclear bombers were all built at the Martin Omaha, NE B-29 plant.

What is a B-29 Fortress bomber?

B-29, also called Superfortress , U.S. heavy bomber used in World War II. Its missions included firebombing Tokyo and other Japanese cities and dropping atomic bombs on Hiroshima and Nagasaki, Japan, on August 6 and 9, 1945, respectively. B-29 bomber, 1945.