Video B-29 Superfortress Production
I know that most members are interested in combat, group and squadron details. I as an Ex-Military Manufacturers Rep. have always delighted in how things work and are assembled with the knowledge that it will work the first time and every time.
This short video is dedicated to all those that crewed in the air or on the ground with the B-29 Superfortress from CBI to Saipan, Guam, Tinian and any and all other bases it was deployed. Here is the process that produced this most beautiful flying machine and the people that made sure it was right before the first crew laid hands on it.
Specifications (B-29)
Boeing B-29 Superfortress
A B-29 crew illustrating the jobs it has to perform
.Data from Quest for Performance]
General characteristics:
Crew: 11 (5 officers, 6 enlisted): Airplane Commander, Pilot, flight engineer (a rated pilot), bombardier, navigator, radio operator, radar operator, four gunners
Length: 99 ft 0 in (30.18 m)
Wingspan: 141 ft 3 in (43.06 m)
Height: 29 ft 7 in (8.5 m)
Wing area: 1,736 sq ft (161.3 m²)
Aspect ratio: 11.50
Empty weight: 74,500 lb (33,800 kg)
Loaded weight: 120,000 lb (54,000 kg)
Max. takeoff weight: 133,500 lb (60,560 kg) ; 135,000 lb plus combat load
Powerplant: 4 × Wright R-3350-23 and 23A turbosupercharged radial engines, 2,200 hp (1,640 kW) each
Zero-lift drag coefficient: 0.0241
Drag area: 41.16 ft² (3.82 m²)
Performance:
Maximum speed: 357 mph (310 knots, 574 km/h)
Cruise speed: 220 mph (190 knots, 350 km/h)
Stall speed: 105 mph (91 knots, 170 km/h)
Combat range: 3,250 mi (2,820 nmi, 5,230 km)
Ferry range: 5,600 mi (4,900 nmi, 9,000 km, [60])
Service ceiling: 33,600 ft (10,200 m)
Rate of climb: 900 ft/min (4.6 m/s)
Wing loading: 69.12 lb/sqft (337 kg/m²)
Power/mass: 0.073 hp/lb (121 W/kg)
Lift-to-drag ratio: 16.8
Armament:
Guns:
10× .50 in (12.7 mm) caliber Browning M2/ANs in remote-controlled turrets.
2× .50 BMG in and 1× 20 mm M2 cannon in tail position (the cannon was later removed)
Bombs: 20,000 lb (9,000 kg) standard loadout.
American Ingenuity, Productivity and Technology at its finest!!!
Best Regards,
Scott M.
post edited by 25Kingman49 -