Aircraft Type: B-29(TB), S/N 44-84076, Super Fortress, Boeing (Bell)

Mission: Heavy Bomber

Number Built: The Army Air Force accepted a grand total of 3,960 B-29s: 3,943 B-29s, 3 XB-29s (including the experimental plane which crashed before delivery), and 14 B-29 prototypes. Actually, B-29, B-29As, and B-29Bs made up the production total. The B-29 and B-29A were alike and barely differed from the B-29B. The B-model was about 2,000 pounds lighter than the A, had an extra 150 feet in service ceiling, and a slightly longer range.

Powerplant: Four supercharged Wright R-3550-W57 Double Cyclone radial, air-cooled engines; 2,200 horsepower each.

Weight: Empty 36,135 lbs., Loaded 55,000 lbs., Maximum takeoff weight 120,000 lbs.

Dimensions: Wingspan 141'2", Length 99', Height 27'8".

Performance: Maximum speed 360 MPH, Cruising speed 265 MPH, Service Ceiling 35,000 feet.

Significance of Type : The Boeing B-29 Superfortress was the most advanced bomber aircraft to see operation service in World War II. It was used in conventional and low-level, night incendiary attacks against Japan. (The former were not particularly successful, leading General Curtis LeMay to resort to the latter tactic) The aircraft was also employed most profitably in the aerial mining of Japanese home waters. The B-29 was the world's first nuclear delivery vehicle with aircraft from the 393rd Bombardment Squadron (Very Heavy) of the 509th Composite Group dropping atomic bombs on Hiroshima and Nagasaki in August 1945. Another B-29 from the 509th (redesignated as a Very Heavy Bomb Group) dropped an atomic bomb in the Bikini atomic tests of July 1946.

B-29s were the only bomber aircraft assigned to SAC when that Command was established in 1946. They were used in the conventional bombing role during the Korean War (1950-1953). The last retired as bomber aircraft in 1954, after which many continued to ser ve SAC in specialized roles such as reconnaissance and tanker aircraft.

About Our B-29(TB), S/N 44-84076 : The Museum's B-29 was manufactured by Bell Aircraft, Marietta, Georgia and delivered to the USAAF on August 4, 1945. Below are the unit assignments of this aircraft:

August 1945- To Walker AAF (Second Air Force), Victoria, Kansas

September 1945- To San Antonio Air Material Center, Kelly AAF, Texas

November 1945- To 4196th AAF Base Unit (Air Material Command), Victorville AAF, California (storage)

May 1946- To 4117th AAF Base Unit (AMC), Robins AAF, Georgia

August 1946- To 4119th AAF Base Unit (AMC), Brookley AAF, Alabama

April 1947- To 97th Bombardment Group (Strategic Air Command), Smoky Hill AAF, Kansas

October 1947- To 28th Bombardment Group (SAC), Rapid City (later Weaver) AFB, South Dakota (deployment to England AFB, Louisiana and RAF Scampton UK)

February 1949- To Sacramento Air Material Area, McClellan AFB, California

September 1949- To Oklahoma City Air Material Area, Tinker AFB, Oklahoma (To TB-29)

March 1951- To 11th Radar Calibration Squadron (Air Defense Command), Hamilton AFB, California (Deployment to McChord AFB, Washington)

September 1952- To 112th Radar Calibration Squadron (ADC), Hamilton AFB, California (Deployment to March AFB CA)

February 1953- To 4th Radar Calibration (ADC), Hamilton AFB, California

March 1954- To 4754th Radar Evaluation Flight (ADC), Hamilton AFB, California

July 1958- To 4754th Radar Evaluation Squadron (ADC) , Hamilton AFB, California

July 1959- To 3902nd Air Base Wing (SAC), Offutt AFB, Nebraska and dropped from inventory by transfer to the Strategic Air & Space Museum