they had to call it that as it was a dumb legal detail about 10 yrs ago,
some turkey didnt think it was right to call it the confederate air force, since it wasnt in the so called confederate states so they had to change it to a historical type name like looking back as history and our past,
Low score for payload? Remember range was an overarching factor when this plane was on our two ocean war drawing board. With an a-bomb weight half as much as the 20k lb. capacity, I'm sure engineers could have figured a way to increase the range for a possible drop over Germany or Japan w/o the use of airbases in Britain or on Tinian.
Double the combat radius of any bomber flying at the time. And usually carried 16k to 20k pounds of bombs. (also safer from enemy fighters due to improved speed.)
My Dad was B29 pilot and says that the max load of 20k pounds was very seldom carried as that would shorten the range too much...10k pounds was more the norm, depending on the type of raid, of course. Usual cruising speed was about 180-200 mph. The top speed of 357 mph was "pure fantasy" according to Dad unless it was totally empty, had fresh engines, and a tail wind.
Thank you, and much appreciation to your Father for information and his service. He must be quite source of interesting stories.
*Fresh engines* certainly could make all the difference. I was basing some of that comment on Paul Tibbets account of making practice drops near Salton Sea in California once they stripped down b-29 that and were able to outpace p-47's while also attaining 34,000 feet elevation from the usual 30,000.
"once they stripped down a b-29 and found that they were able to outpace p-47's"
I thought the B-29 which flew very long distances had shorter missions/higher payloads once they were able to make airbases closer to Japan as the war went on.
Super impressive ship !!! One of the the features I would love to know more about is the General Electric (?) fire control computer !! Was that actually electronic or electromechanical ?
I Just watched that frozen in time Documentary... I feel Depressed now...
galloway62042009 7 months ago
Hate that commercial voice! :)
Cougar545x39 1 year ago
The B-29 is a beautiful looking plane.
I saw Bockscar in Dayton and it is a beauty.
StarshipPoopers1 1 year ago
Only one still flie's regularly,
thatsthe one in the confederate airforce in texas named FIFI,
she is the only one currently flying,
and there is another one named Doc in wichita kansas , thats supposed to be redone to flight status.
But it's In the Hiatus stage right now as they need more funds to get things done on it,
kirkconway 2 years ago
@kirkconway Fifi is from the COMMEMORATIVE Air Force, not the "Confederate" air force
carguysn 1 year ago
thats what the commemorative air force is,
they had to call it that as it was a dumb legal detail about 10 yrs ago,
some turkey didnt think it was right to call it the confederate air force, since it wasnt in the so called confederate states so they had to change it to a historical type name like looking back as history and our past,
so thats what it was, ,,,
dumb legal jargon,
sheesh,
kirkconway 1 year ago
Is Nusbacher a jew?
dwerke 2 years ago
Ive more fingers on one hand than there is B29s flying very nice looking aircraft. Big shame about the Kee Bird
numptybaws3 3 years ago
B-29 were the air monster to japs during 1945.
When Jap soliders saw them they cried, "ten log, ten log, man died, man died, man died."
Of course they walked to their tombs because they sarted the war first !
sgt21692 3 years ago
B29 Captain S/L John CARE DFC said best plane he flew 1943 -- 1955 B29's 1950's when USA leased them to UK RAF
johncare 3 years ago 2
I wonder how many b-29s can still fly
5000TRAINS 3 years ago
B-29 'Enola Gay' bombed Hiroshima. 8-06-45
B-29 'Bockscar' bombed Nagasaki. 8-09-45
Low score for payload? Remember range was an overarching factor when this plane was on our two ocean war drawing board. With an a-bomb weight half as much as the 20k lb. capacity, I'm sure engineers could have figured a way to increase the range for a possible drop over Germany or Japan w/o the use of airbases in Britain or on Tinian.
orcstr8d 3 years ago
thats bullshit about the payload score that fucking plain firebombed tokyo to the stoneage
Redux626 3 years ago 3
Double the combat radius of any bomber flying at the time. And usually carried 16k to 20k pounds of bombs. (also safer from enemy fighters due to improved speed.)
orcstr8d 3 years ago 4
My Dad was B29 pilot and says that the max load of 20k pounds was very seldom carried as that would shorten the range too much...10k pounds was more the norm, depending on the type of raid, of course. Usual cruising speed was about 180-200 mph. The top speed of 357 mph was "pure fantasy" according to Dad unless it was totally empty, had fresh engines, and a tail wind.
DoudD 3 years ago
Thank you, and much appreciation to your Father for information and his service. He must be quite source of interesting stories.
*Fresh engines* certainly could make all the difference. I was basing some of that comment on Paul Tibbets account of making practice drops near Salton Sea in California once they stripped down b-29 that and were able to outpace p-47's while also attaining 34,000 feet elevation from the usual 30,000.
orcstr8d 3 years ago 2
"once they stripped down a b-29 and found that they were able to outpace p-47's"
I thought the B-29 which flew very long distances had shorter missions/higher payloads once they were able to make airbases closer to Japan as the war went on.
orcstr8d 3 years ago
hay ive seen that plane its called Enola Gay this thing nuked 2 citys!!!!!!
bobbyjic 3 years ago
This comment has received too many negative votes show
This is a Copy of Soviet ANT-20 --if its not the copy at least the idea of building a huge airplane was copied
FUTUREFIGHTER 4 years ago
The B-29 was copied by the Soviets. The Soviet copy of this aircraft is the TU-4 "BULL"
Steamr 4 years ago 6
Right on the nose Steamr - the Ruskies captured at least three B29s that crash landed in eastern Russia after raids on the Japanese mainland
dave41184 4 years ago 2
Super impressive ship !!! One of the the features I would love to know more about is the General Electric (?) fire control computer !! Was that actually electronic or electromechanical ?
turboslag 4 years ago
sad to know that only one is still flying
guitarjesus9 4 years ago
Boeing is ever big!
daltonagre 4 years ago 2
Everytime I watch the History Channel about old weapons, that curly-haired guy is on. His enthusiasm annoys me.
omaits 4 years ago 3
its true...
guitarjesus9 4 years ago
that curly haired guy has just become a curly haired girl....[and thats a fact].BE IT AFTER A SEX CHANGE...LOL
bowshotace 4 years ago
cool
Clupe5 4 years ago