Boeing B-29, Superfortress

Specifications:

• Wing span 141' 3".
• Length 99'.
• Ht. 27' 9".
• Wt. 13,5000 lbs.
• Power four 18 cylinder Wright Cyclone R3350 each with dual turbo superchargers. 2,200 hp ea. engine.
• Max speed 375 mph.
• Cruise 300 mph.
• Range 4,500 miles without re-fueling.
• Service ceiling 35,000 plus.
• Crew 11.
• Armament 13 .50 cal mg in remote controlled turrets.
• Bomb load 10 tons.

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The largest and most sophisticated bomber to enter combat in WWII. First flown in 1942 with initial production models revealed in 1943.

Although plagued by engine problems early on it was an extremely strong, stable and efficient ac. A favorite with crews, due to pressurized and heated crew compartments. It had sophisticated RADAR and defensive armament.

It served well in the Pacific during WWII, in Korea and then in the Strategic Air Command.

Several versions were produced including an aerial re-fueling tanker and was used as a launch platform for experimental super sonic aircraft.

A total of 3979 ac were built. B-29s delivered and dropped the first atomic bombs on Hiroshima and Nagasaki to finalize WWII.

The Museum's B-29 "Peachy" is named in honor of all the crews who fought in the Pacific Theater. A B-29 by that name was piloted by a native of Pueblo, Lt. Robert T. Haver, who named it with his pet name for a younger sister. The original "Peachy flew 35 combat missions into enemy territory from Tinian island, central Pacific chain of the Mariana's.

This aircraft was donated to the museum in 1976 by the Naval Weapons Center at China Lake CA.