B-29 Flight Procedure And Combat Crew Functioning (1944)

[WaterLines333]

This video was so intresitng, I had to get some snacks.

[Johnnyred51]

Great video. The crew truly had to function as a team to fly this powerful bird. It looks complicated, but this training film makes the proper procedures clear.

[flyingxk]

the air force did not have line mechanics at that time?

[SouthSideScene15]

Is it true that the b 29 engines caught fire easily?

[westlock]

@SouthSideScene15 Yes. Boeing essentially took the most powerful engine they could get and wrapped it in a very tight cowling for low wind resistance. But this meant that the rear cylinder heads got inadequate airflow. Another problem was that the engine was made lighter by building the crankcase from a magnesium alloy, which burns fiercely once ignited. Lifting a fully loaded bomber from the tropical Marianas was always a race to climb to cooler air before the engines lit up.

[bc1969214]

@westlock did Boeing know this engine fire problem from flight testing prior to delivery to the Air Force and were any procedures written for pilots to avoid it?

[westlock]

@bc1969214 The B-29 went from first flight to first combat in less than 21 months. Everything about it was state-of-the-art, and Boeing was under immense pressure to get it operational ASAP. Engine fires were merely the biggest of many problems that Boeing and the USAAF had to work through, and were not really solved until after the war. Meanwhile, steps were taken to put more air through the engine, and pilots just had to gain speed and altitude as fast as they could.

[notaire2]

Very well-constructed and easy-to-understand training film. It also makes a good propaganda of America's industrial power. Thanks for the nice upload!

[N617A]

no tendancy to spin in a self recovering stall? that is NOTHING like a cessna. this baby is fucking beautiful!!!!!!

[FSMonster]

It never ceases to amaze me just how much modern technology was already available in WW2 machines. And the gear down window? Genious! Latest planes need a ground-based observer to confirm status when there's suspicion.

[zBroadOak]

My uncle piloted a B-29 in 15 missions over Korea. The video was a fascinating look at his world (and the crew's) - during those years. I have gained a greater understanding...and am awed. Thank you for posting!

[Antagraber]

This is an absolutely interesting video. Thank-you very much for posting. 

[ArtsObserver]

That was a GREAT vid - thank you for uploading! (So much emphasis on the wheels during the preflight - like they're planning to taxi the plane to Tokyo ;-)...)

[GrigoriZhukov]

nice, that's the early camo job before the switched to a bare metal finish.

[Greenhornet270]

The best site on the web for Aviation History!!

[luridplanet]

The B29 cost more to develop than the atomic bomb, supposedly. That's hard to believe - probably a little creative accounting going on at Boeing

[khroe]

Don't forget to turn on the put-put.

[Boggoranthius]

@khroe What the heck is a pu-put??

[peter16030]

@Boggoranthius a small engine/generator to provide electrical power when max power is needed and the onboard battries cant handle the load

[Boggoranthius]

@peter16030 . I see. Thank you

[wkr4k4r]

@peter16030 The putt-putt is basically a golf-car engine/lawn mower engine in the back, the modern name is APU.

[sbglobal]

Wow great video. Thankyou for sharing it

[Dproud2700]

It is amazing how the men who flew these aircraft in the Pacific Theater wore a summer uniform when flying these from the Marianas versus the training film where they are wearing what is litterly a European Theater.

[Dproud2700]

It is amazing how the men who flew these aircraft in the Pacific Theater wore a summer uniform when flying these from the Marianas versus the training film

[impCaesarAvg]

I had no idea how much work the pilot and crew had to do before they even left the ground. This was a very informative video.

[RM4FS]

My father went to B-29 school at Maxwell Field in May 1944 after he came back from 37 months in the South Pacific. With a B-29 MOS he was recalled for Korea.

[TheNudeBiker]

Thanks for sharing !

Wonderful video !

[dumpgrump]

the early b-29 had engine problems,that were eventually solved.

[baklys]

Thank you for posting this video!!

[airamerica1964]

This was the first airplane I ever saw, and I saw it many times a day over our house; turning onto final for Runway 13. Though I never got to fly it, I may in the Beyond. I spent many hours behind yokes and occasional sticks as I was a primary civilian flight instructor SMEL and also taught the complete instrument curriculum. I had another instructor I got ready for his CFII. I was only 3 when I first saw it touching them at Pratt's open house in 1943. India and the "Hump" was next for it.

[grooveclubhouse]

Ah yes back when flying was... simple?

[fizzleface5000]

Soooooo lllllooonnnggg. So long

[Brasstacks11]

Was this done while in a combat zone?

[blobusus]

I hear that this plane wasn't easy to love.

[phorms123]

Where did you get this?

[KLM777300er]

@phorms123 id love to know that to...

[Snipq81]

cool