Boeing B-29-55-MO Superfortress | Hill Aerospace Museum (2024)

First of its Kind

Designed in 1940 as a replacement for the B-17 and B-24, the B-29 first flew in September 1942. In December 1943, US Army Air Forces leadership decided to assign the future Superfortress fleet to Asia, where its extensive range made it well suited for the long overseas flights against the Japanese homeland in the Pacific. Advanced features of the B-29 when introduced to the Army Air Forces included a pressurized cabin, an electronic fire-control system, and remote- controlled machine-gun turrets. Interestingly, several B-29s were converted during World War II to the classified “Silverplate” configuration, which modified them to carry and deliver the world’s first atomic bombs.

Utah’s Early Nuclear Connection

Hill Air Force Base and Utah have a storied history with the B-29. During World War II, the 509th Composite Group—the first atomic weapons unit—trained at Wendover Field, Utah, an installation supported by Hill Field. The men and women of Hill later played a critical role in repairing, maintaining, storing, and refurbishing B-29s after World War II to support the Korean War.

Straight Flush

Glen L. Martin Company, located in in Omaha, Nebraska, built this B-29 and delivered it to the U.S. Army Air Forces on August 6, 1945, the same day another B-29 dropped an atomic bomb on Hiroshima, Japan. Its assignment history includes several bases across the United States. It retired from service in 1953, and then it came to the Hill Aerospace Museum in 1983. Museum staff are restoring this B-29 to depict Straight Flush (tail# 44-27301), once assigned to the 509th Composite Group at Wendover Field, Utah. On August 6, 1945, Captain Claude Eartherly flew weather reconnaissance in Straight Flush over Japan to determine if there was enough visibility for the B-29 Enola Gay to drop the atomic bomb on Hiroshima.

This aircraft is a part of the USAF Heritage Program collection

Was the B-29 a good bomber?

Though late to the war effort, the B-29 Superfortress was the pinnacle of allied bomber engineering, with a pressurized cabin and an analog, computer-controlled, fire-control system.

Where was the B-29 built?

Due to the B-29’s immense size, at over 141′ wide, the Superfortress was assembled in four separate facilities; two plants in Renton, Washington; one in Wichita, Kansas; and another in Marietta, Georgia.

How far could the B-29 fly?

The B-29 was able to travel up to 3,250 miles at an altitude of nearly 32,000 feet.

How many B-29 were shot down over Japan?

Although exact numbers are unclear, approximately 10% of the bombing force brought to bear against the Japanese mainland were shot down by enemy forces. Whether this was due to anti-aircraft (AA) fire or enemy fighters is not known.

What was the nickname of the B-29 bomber?

The B-29 was nicknamed the Superfortress, in homage to the B-17 Flying Fortress.

What was the purpose of the B-29?

The B-29 was a high-altitude strategic bomber, built specifically to handle the challenges of the war on the Pacific front. Bombers would be required to fly extreme (3,000+ miles) distances at high altitudes in order to meet the enemy and return home safely.

Why were B-29s not used in Europe?

Simply put, the B-29 wasn’t needed. The B-17 Flying Fortress was already handling the job nicely, and the war in Europe was, by that point, in its final stages.