The Boeing B-29 Superfortress wasn’t just a bomber—it was a game-changer that reshaped the battlefield and the future of military aviation. In World War II, this advanced machine didn’t merely fly missions; it carried the weight of history, sealing victories and pushing technology to new heights.
From revolutionary engineering to missions that left an indelible mark, the B-29’s story is packed with moments that redefined power in the skies.
Here are 15 powerful facts about the aircraft that didn’t just change the war—it changed the world.
1. Most Expensive WWII Project
The B-29 program cost an astronomical $3 billion, exceeding even the Manhattan Project’s budget. (ref) This unprecedented investment represented the largest gamble taken by the United States during World War II, requiring the construction of numerous new factories and facilities.
The massive undertaking involved over sixty new factories producing various components, with final assembly taking place in three of the world’s largest buildings located in Wichita, Omaha, and Marietta. The complexity of the project demanded an entirely new manufacturing infrastructure.
2. Revolutionary Pressurized Cabin
The B-29 became the first bomber to feature pressurized crew compartments, allowing comfortable operation at high altitudes. This innovation protected crew members from the harsh conditions of high-altitude flights above 18,000 feet.
The pressurization system included three separate compartments: the flight deck forward of the wing, the gunner’s compartment aft of the wing, and the tail gunner’s station. This design significantly improved crew efficiency and comfort during long-range missions.
3. Advanced Fire Control System
The aircraft featured a revolutionary computerized fire control system that allowed gunners to remotely operate multiple turrets simultaneously. This sophisticated system enabled gunners to track enemy fighters with greater accuracy and engage targets at ranges up to 1,500 yards.
The remote-controlled defensive system included five gun turrets equipped with .50-caliber machine guns, offering unprecedented defensive capabilities. Gunners could concentrate firepower on single targets while remaining protected within the pressurized compartments.
4. Record-Breaking Size
At the time of its introduction, the B-29 was the world’s heaviest production aircraft. The bomber spanned 141 feet, 3 inches from wing tip to wing tip, and measured 99 feet from nose to tail.
Its impressive dimensions included a 27-foot nine-inch high tail turret, comparable to the height of a three-story building. The aircraft’s massive size allowed it to carry unprecedented payload capacities for its era.
5. Sophisticated Radar Systems
The B-29 was designed as the first bomber to carry ground-mapping radar from inception. The aircraft utilized advanced radar systems including the AN/APQ-13 and AN/APQ-7 Eagle, enabling accurate bombing even through cloud cover.
One in four B-29s carried specialized electronic intelligence equipment, including the APR-4 radar intercept receiver. This technology allowed crews to detect and map enemy radar installations and defensive positions.
6. Dual Bomb Bay Innovation
The aircraft featured two separate bomb bays designed to release bombs alternately, maintaining the aircraft’s balance during missions. This innovative system could accommodate up to 20,000 pounds of bombs over short distances at low altitudes.
Special modifications allowed some B-29s to carry even larger payloads, including the ability to transport two 22,000-pound Grand Slam bombs externally. The versatile bomb bay design also enabled post-war modifications for carrying research aircraft.
7. Powerful Propulsion System
Four Wright R-3350 Duplex-Cyclone engines, each producing 2,200 horsepower, powered the massive bomber. These engines represented the largest piston turbocharged powerplants built during the war.
The propulsion system enabled the B-29 to achieve a maximum speed of 357 mph and maintain a service ceiling of 31,850 feet. This performance significantly exceeded contemporary bomber capabilities.
8. Extensive Combat Record
During World War II, B-29s conducted massive bombing campaigns against Japanese targets, with missions involving up to 500 aircraft. In the Korean War, B-29s flew more than 21,000 bombing sorties, dropping over 167,000 tons of bombs.
The aircraft proved particularly effective in the Pacific theater, where its long-range and high-altitude capabilities made it an ideal strategic bomber. Its most famous missions included the atomic bomb drops on Hiroshima and Nagasaki.
9. Advanced Wing Design
Boeing engineered the B-29 with a long, narrow, high-aspect-ratio wing equipped with large Fowler-type flaps. This innovative design allowed excellent high-altitude cruise performance while maintaining manageable handling characteristics at lower speeds.
The sophisticated wing design contributed to the aircraft’s impressive range of 3,250 miles and ferry range of 5,600 miles. These capabilities proved crucial for long-distance Pacific operations.
10. Versatile Post-War Career
After World War II, the B-29 served in various roles including maritime patrol, aerial refueling, and weather reconnaissance. The aircraft also played a crucial role as a “mothership” for experimental aircraft testing.
Notable achievements included supporting Chuck Yeager’s first supersonic flight in the Bell X-1. The platform’s versatility led to its continued service well into the 1950s.
11. Extensive Crew Requirements
The B-29 required a crew of 11 personnel, including pilots, bombardiers, flight engineers, navigators, radio operators, radar observers, and gunners. This large crew complement reflected the aircraft’s complex systems and operational requirements.
Each crew member underwent specialized training to master the bomber’s advanced systems. The sophisticated nature of the aircraft demanded highly skilled personnel for effective operation.
12. Production Scale
When production ended in 1946, Boeing and its partners had manufactured 3,970 B-29s. This massive production effort involved multiple facilities across the United States.
The manufacturing program represented an unprecedented industrial achievement, transitioning from initial prototype to mass production in record time. The program overcame numerous technical challenges, including chronic engine overheating issues during development.
13. Defensive Armament
Standard B-29s carried ten .50-caliber machine guns and one 20mm cannon in various turret positions. The defensive armament could be controlled from five different sighting stations throughout the aircraft.
Later variants, such as the B-29B, were stripped of most defensive armament to increase bomb load capacity. This modification reflected changing tactical requirements during the war.
14. Advanced Avionics
The aircraft carried up to twenty different types of radios and navigation devices. This extensive suite of electronics represented the most advanced avionics package of any World War II bomber.
The sophisticated equipment enabled precise navigation and bombing accuracy previously unattainable in military aircraft. These capabilities proved crucial for both conventional and atomic bombing missions.
15. Combat Effectiveness
B-29s faced 11,206 fighter attacks during World War II, claiming 914 enemy aircraft destroyed. The aircraft’s defensive systems and high-altitude capabilities proved highly effective against Japanese interceptors.
The bomber’s effectiveness extended beyond air-to-air combat, as demonstrated in Operation Meetinghouse, where 324 B-29s conducted the most destructive air raid in history against Tokyo. The aircraft’s strategic impact ultimately helped bring World War II to a close.
The Boeing B-29 Superfortress proves the ingenuity and ambition of wartime aviation engineering. Its features, from pressurized cabins to advanced radar systems, set new standards for bombers and played a crucial role in pivotal moments of history.
Beyond its wartime achievements, the B-29’s versatility and adaptability ensured its continued relevance in the post-war era.
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Nancy Maffia
Nancy received a bachelor’s in biology from Elmira College and a master’s degree in horticulture and communications from the University of Kentucky. Worked in plant taxonomy at the University of Florida and the L. H. Bailey Hortorium at Cornell University, and wrote and edited gardening books at Rodale Press in Emmaus, PA. Her interests are plant identification, gardening, hiking, and reading.
