Boeing B-29 Superfortress

The History of the Boeing B-29 Superfortress

The Boeing B-29 "Superfortress" will forever be associated with the atomic bombs dropped on the Japanese cities of Hiroshima and Nagasaki to help end World War II ("Bock's Car" and "Enola Guy" was the aircraft of choice). However, before the signals of the end of the conflict began, the B-29 was a nearly untouchable high-altitude heavy bombing platform with revolutionary technology built into its impressive design. The Boeing B-29 fought only in the Pacific theater of operations against the Japanese Empire during the war, and was never called up for action in Europe as the war against Germany in April-May 1945 drew to a close.

However, the bomber series would one day see extensive service during the upcoming Korean War (1950-1953) and cement its place in the history of U.S. military aviation.

Like the Boeing B-17 Flying Fortress that preceded it, the B-29 was developed in response to USAAC requirements for an advanced heavy bomber capable of extending the operational range at 400 mph and Increase payload hours. The range requirement is especially important due to the great distance of the Pacific Ocean.

The B-29 program got off to a slow start, before the United States entered World War II. After the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor (December 7, 1941), the B-29 program went into high gear as the need for a modern bomber became apparent.

The first of three "XB-29" prototypes first flew in 1942, and the government has secured orders for more than 1,500 production quality units.

Production of the B-29 Superfortress is split among several factories managed by different contractors to meet demand. This would eventually include Boeing, Bell and Martin -- all military aircraft powerhouses at the time -- producing a combined total of nearly 4,000 prototypes by the end of the run. An improved B-29 model appeared after the war, and this example was named the "B-50". The B-50 was similar in appearance to the original B-29, with approximately 75% of the fuselage being redesigned, hence the new designation.

The B-50 differs from its predecessor by a modified tail and more powerful engines. In addition, the structure of the B-50 was further strengthened. This variant appeared in 1948, and around 370 copies were produced until 1953.

Outside the US, both the UK and Australia have B-29 Superfortresses in their respective flight service inventories. The Soviet Union, always ready to gain more technological advantage over its American adversary, was dismantled from three captured B-29s that were forced to land on Soviet territory after the attack on Japan (including the "Slope Rovers" ). On Stalin's orders, the Tupolev company took over Boeing's product and worked it down to the last detail - the result was the Tupolev Tu-4 "Bull", which in turn gave birth to Tupolev Tu-70 special transport platform.

All in all, the Tu-4 was nothing more than a poor replica of an excellent American product, but it still made a significant contribution to the Soviet bomber program.

The B-29 proved to be an important design achievement for the U.S. military, especially during World War II and operations in Korea (1950-1953). Undoubtedly, it laid the groundwork for future projects that would culminate in the world-famous Boeing B-52 "Stratofortress" during the Vietnam War (1955-1975).

The B-52 essentially marked the end of the Boeing "heavy bomber" era, when the wings were finally replaced by the sleek swing-wing Rockwell B-1 "Lancer" and the technologically advanced Northrop B-2 "Spirit" Stealth bombers take over as well as missile-firing warships and submarines. Still, the B-52 is at the forefront today.

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