Boeing B-29 Superfortress

The Boeing B-29 Superfortress, introduced in 1944, was a revolutionary American heavy bomber that set new standards for long‑range, high‑altitude warfare. Developed by Boeing under a massive wartime contract, the B‑29 incorporated pressurised crew compartments, remote‑controlled gun turrets and an advanced fire‑control system, allowing a crew of ten to operate safely at 30,000 feet. Its powerful Wright R‑3350 Duplex‑Cyclone radial engines delivered up to 2,200 horsepower each, giving the aircraft a top speed of 357 mph and a combat range exceeding 3,200 miles, which made it capable of reaching the Japanese home islands from bases in the Pacific. The Superfortress is most famous for dropping the atomic bombs on Hiroshima and Nagasaki in August 1945, an action that hastened the end of World War II. After the war, B‑29s served in the Korean War as night‑fighter and reconnaissance platforms, and many were later converted for civil use as cargo and passenger transports. The B‑29’s innovative systems—pressurisation, heated wing fuel tanks and sophisticated navigation—paved the way for post‑war jet bombers and underscored Boeing’s emergence as a leading aerospace manufacturer. Its legacy continues to inspire modern bomber design and remains a symbol of engineering excellence.

Boeing

Boeing B-29 Superfortress

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