Boeing B-29 "Superfortress"

The Boeing B-29 was designed in 1940 as an eventual replacement for the B-17 and B-24. The first one built made its maiden flight on Sept. 21, 1942. In December 1943, it was decided not to use the B-29 in the European Theater, thereby permitting the airplane to be sent to the Pacific area where its great range made it particularly suited for the long over water flight required to attack the Japanese homeland from bases in China. During the last two months of 1944, B-29s began operating against Japan from the islands of Saipan, Guam and Tinian.

With the advent of the conflict in Korea in June 1950, the B-29 was once again thrust into battle. For the next several years it was effectively used for attacking targets in North Korea.

The B-29 on display, named "Bockscar," was flown to the U.S. Air Force Museum Sept. 26, 1961. It is the airplane from which the second atomic bomb was dropped on Nagasaki Aug. 9, 1945.

Specifications

Span: 141 feet, 3 inches
Length: 99 feet
Height: 27 feet, 9 inches
Weight: 133,500 pounds
Armament: Eight .50-caliber machine guns in remote controlled turrets plus two .50-caliber machine guns and one 20mm cannon in tail; 20,000 pounds of bombs
Engines: Four Wright R-3350s of 2,200 horsepower each
Cost: $639,000

Performance

Maximum speed: 357 mph.
Cruising speed: 220 mph.
Range: 3,700 miles
Service Ceiling: 33,600 feet