The Boeing B-29 "Superfortress" long range strategic bomber was designed in 1940 as an eventual replacement for the B-17
and B-24. The first one built made its maiden flight on September 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. At the end of 1944,
B-29s began operating against Japan from the islands of Saipan, Guam and
Tinian. In June 1950, the B-29 was used in action over Korea. For the next several years it was effectively used for attacking
targets in North Korea. When production ended in May 1946, 3970 B-29's had
been built.
On August 6, 1945 the crew of the B-29 Enola Gay released an atomic
bomb over Hiroshima.
Source and Links:
U.S.A.F. Museum.
Joe Baugher's Encyclopedia of Military Aircraft
National Air and Space Museum, Smithsonian Institution Fully assembled, Handcrafted Model Airplane with Removable
Desk Stand.
(Scale: 1/72, Length: 17", Wing Span: 23.75")
Limited Edition.
)
