Squadron /signal publications ~ AIRCRAFT NO. 31by Steve Birdsall illustrated by Don Greer a squadron/signal publicationsCOPYRIGHT © 1977 SQUADRONISIGNAL PUBLICATIONS, INC. 15 CROWLEY DAVE. CARROLLTON, TEXAS T5014010 ISBN 0-69747-030:3 0 tne ay ts oh st a al fap olay aon cundonSign's toate al the'mow inareating and comps in are ry eer) PE ea) Acknowledgments Although bref, this book s the result of a great dal of generous effort by several paaple and ‘Srganisatlons: Gordan §, Willams ang The Basing Company benny Pichayny ot the Seth Bomb Wing Associaton, who detaled the various fadar Installations on the combat B-29e, my frend Baty Gikes, Lew Nails, €@ Poreda, Johany Earl, Frank Smith, Ray Pritchard of the 6th Bomb Group, Mi Sgt, David W. Menard, USAF, A.W. Harcson, the United States Air Force, the Al Perce Musou, an the Australian War Memorial. And a coupie of other writers Roger Freeman, author 2f Camouflage & Markings, Boeing 8-20 Superfontess, ana Colanel Glenn MeGiure o! te SO0th Group, author of Salpan, Then and Now, 2nd Tinian, Then and Now. Due tothe practice of removing Serial humors rom B-28s, and the overall sirilaity of the various models, iis slficut to tentty many airerat individually: | woule be pleased if any 8-28 veterans who can add to ine Information hero would contact mo2-29 of &627a Bomb Group return trom a raid in Burma, November, 1043. The photo shows the formation of Tth Squadron approaching elt home base n inca, [USAF]The B—29 Superfortress ‘People of Japan. Evacuate the folowing cites. The 8-298 ‘90n, Your Walords are poweress to stop them. The next ele on the lt lie" Vawata, aia, Tau, Fuku!” And 80 the wamings would go. chillng psychological blow, blatantly listing the targets for the huge, gleaming ‘rmada which was methodically destroying the rermnants of an empire “The story ofthe 8-29 began with an “olla requirement” o be tranlated by the areal companies nto a design. In February 1840 the companies wore ‘ikea to design @ Really med, high alituse bomber capable of carying & ‘maximum bomb lod af efght tone, aton of them fr ovr live thousand miles ata speed of four hundred miles per hour. Four companies. submitted esigns the ‘Lockheed and’ Douglas eubmissions never proceeded, Gonsollcate's saw brit ite a the 8:32" Boaing’s Mode! 345 woula Become the Superfontess. Two prototypes were ordered on August 24, 1940, and esignated XB-29, ae a hid was ordered in Docomber along with stale {est specimen. Construction of the prototypes began In Apil 184 at Boeing's plant in Seatie, ang withthe prospect of war becoming uncomfortably real, the new alreralt was given top pronty Fourteen ¥8.208 were orgeted Tor force testing, anda production contrect wes, lesued for 2506-208 19 ‘September 1941. So when the dapangse attacked Pearl Harbor In December the bombers which would eventualy wll their people in the hundreds of thousand wore aeady being ordered. “ihe Superionress design was a reflection of Bosing’s undeniable leadership inthe heavy bomber fled. It featured ahigh aspect wing with lage ferris te aon pera hah wing noi hot ean ah landing speeds. The “were Wright #33608, with two {urbo-tuperchargers, developing 2.200 horsepower at sea level, the mast 4 Frosh trom Boeing's Wichita factory, 42-6242, the twenty-ninth 8-20-1-BW. ‘The aireratt is equipped with eight .50 caliber machine guns In fou’ fuselage {urrts and two more, plus '2Omm cannon, inthe tall. This particular aera ‘wont tothe 48th Bornb Group whore it was converte toa tanker In 1944 and Famed Esso Express. Alter thirty transport misions in the CBI the area ‘oturned to the States In November 1944 [Barry Gikes) pomerful engines installed in an areata thal time. The engine nacelles were Sesigned to minimize drag, the inboard nacelles receiving the main landing fear, The troycle uncereailage was Tiled with dual wheels. The clculat {eseiage was composed a hres pressurized sections: the forward area fore ots, navigator fight engineer bambardler end raalo Operator, eonmectes By Smal tunnel above the bom bays to one for the three gunners and radar ‘Speraior = the fall gunner had a separate pressurized area. The XE-20 was feaulpped with Sperry romots-contfal gun turate with periscope sight, ‘riinaly intendee to be revactacle, Gut in tho third prototype this was foplaced by a General Electic turret systom, sighted from domes adjacent to the turrets” All 8-29 (excep! the B-20A) had a wing span ot 141" 3, wore OF tong, 297" high and had a wing ares of 700 square fet. The 8-29 hac an ‘omply weight! 7,140 pounder the 8-20A, 71,360; and the sipped 6-298, 168,000. Cruising speed was aporoximately 220 miles per nour. “The first Supertones, 41-002, was taken ito thea by Boeing's che! test pilot Esai Allen on September 2, 1042, and the second, 41-003, How sine \Neeks later. There wea a rash of engine flues and fren, some selous: then {Se Febrvary 18,1849 an engine fre caused the second XB.29 to crash king Slien, the ee’ andnineteon civilian worker. Aftor this tragic major setback, {he third 8-29 aie not fy until June 1949, but twas actualy proveded by the first YB-28. These arrat, and the largest portion of 6-29 production, were built at Boeing, Wichita, Production lines were also set up by Bell t Marietta, hear Atlanta, Martin at Omaha, and a new Boeing factory at Renton,Deliveries othe fist 8-20 trom Wichita began in autuma 1943 followed by Boll and Warn sieatt early the following year’ These B:29s were aried with four romote-cortrlied power turels on the fuselage, each Rousing "wo Soveal machine gune. an two more Machine une ans 20mm canner tn the i turet The 6296 built at Renton wore all designated 829K, and had & fiteent wing constuction. a small yeaueton in fue) capacity, and Nad & Wingspan of 1423" and a wing atea of 1.798 square feet, “fe tvst 8-29 combat unit was the S8th Bom Wing (Very Heavy), and ite nin, an, 460nd and Bath Groups moved To India in Spelng 1944. They tegun fying the Hump, bulding up stores of Tuo, food, bombs and other Supples’ st foreard Doses. In China, and On dune § they flow the frst Supertortess mission of tha war” against caiway targets at Bangkok. There ‘wore ive operational ogee. On June 15 they Made a night stack on Yawats, Uapan, a bad ight forth fis! the 8-283 bull at Omaha - one crashed oh {aett. one was shot sown over the target, andthe thd few Ino a mountain fon the way home. The Sain Wing continued oparatng from the CBI yt March $545" and among their missions was the longest ofthe war Tor the 8-20. he 43.356 miles tom Trincomalee, Ceylon, 10 Palembang, Sumas, in August see “Te fist 8-29 formation sppeared over Tokyo inthe very ealy aternoon of November 24, 192, when Brigadier General "Rosia" O'Donnell, Dauntoss Dotty ed hig Tad Wing over the Musashima areal factory. ‘That was the beginning ot theena. The Yard Wing. somposed ofthe 46715. s86h, 200th ana S5fin Bomb Groups ad moved into Saipan in the Mavianes during the preceding month, The 313tn Wing Bin, Sh, ath ang SOSth Groups - moves Bengal Lancer trom the 488th Group, # 8:28-30-8W with incressed fuel Capacity de fo the installation of four adaivonal tanks Inthe center wing Seetion, & modilestion which ‘began with the B.20-25-0W, B-20.5-0A, &°598°S-2N and all maineteam Omaha 8-20, India, December 7944. [USAF] Arming 24231 Gioup 8-29 at Dacha indie. The 20mm tal fannon "wae ordered removed Sfound September 1984, and Gsietad on te production line In the BasesoW, Bese, 8:20-26.MO. and 8.29420. ‘he cannon Inaleated by the fact that some creme substituted. broomstick for'mako tho enemy fighter believe it was sil there. [Frank Seitn) Later Tail Turret‘The 8-20.40-8W, exemplified by #2-24612, was the frst Wichita block to carry the new fourgun upper lorward turret, The Dlont completed ite iret ‘Superort om Apri 15, 1845, and the lat was delivered In October 1945. Peak reduction, reached in duly 1845, averaged 4.2 alert per day. [USAF] ‘ihe fourgun top turet introduced on the Wichita 8-20-40, Be 8-29-10, Fenton & 204-20, an all but te very early Martin 8-298, One pilot recast itit was fied suddenly 't could scare you Mall te eat’, sounding very much Ike tnnon shells iting the aeratt [Bary Giles) a! began producing 8-286 In Fobruary 1088, and 42-63303, 2 8.2010-BA, was thoi forty-eovonth Superior. The seal is aqulvalont tote Wichita 8-28-40 nd low with the sane Bom Group: the name lush Orcer was derived from ‘he fet that this evra flow ie fret combat mission just teen days aor coming olf the preduetian line. [USAF] to Tinjan toward the eng of 1844. The 214% Wing, with the 18th, 29%, 99th ‘and 820th Groups, joined the 313th 08 Guam in January and Februsy, 146, ‘The aids agsinat Jopan continues, bloody end cast. On March 4 the ht 5:29 made an emergency landing on lo Jit, aveleanc "Godsend roughly battway between the targets and tne 8-29 bates, eventually the two Combat Staging Genter handled as many as sily Superorte a day ‘March was a deceive month n another way, Gonoral Curtis LeMay was not happy with the performance of the Superforresses, and nis antidote wee Fadical Tho B:2¢% woul be stpped of guns and smmuntion and eary out ‘oustevel, Inétduel night atacka with fe bor, Inthe evening of Mareh 9 itera om the 18th and 29th Groups and the 78rd and 313th Wings rolled foun hs runways: Stripped of armament not needing the fel require forthe ‘ermal tong climb to 30,000 feat, the B-200 woro blostod with fire bombs, ‘Tha midnight darnaes ovr Tonyo Vbratea with tha sound of three Nunred {ae coming in at altitudes betwean 4,900 and 9,200 fee. A the initia 68 Spread the bombers fanned out starting ew fires whieh quickly merges with ‘thers. The ire raid was eminenify syccessiul~ nearly sixteen square mies of thocilywas bursed out over slghyrhousand ded. Fighter defense had beer ‘oak ut Hak damaged Yory two ateraftand was responetole forthe Tota! os oF tourteen 6.299. ‘uring April and May yet another wing, the tsth, bagan arriving on Guam, withthe fet, 3318, S01 ana Sond Groups. They aifered from tne othersMain Landing Gear Group ora Hump fight on January 4988, whon it electeal system blew out following a sudden surg {tom the genorators. The plot circled the eld Toran hour whi lowered manually then brought th ‘and twanty men on board. The B “nd fll sd, then come down ‘The tiet YB-29 became the sole XB-29, modified with [Boeing!Bowing’s new plant at Renton began producing’ B-z9Ae In January 7948 and {hace altered slighty trom the ateratt producod atthe other thee plats. Mise Say fe a Be20A-35;0N. withthe. rod udder of he nd Bom’ Group. USAF] ‘Double Exposure, anF=194-S5-8 from the Bed Photo Recon Squadron. These = $ Counterparts. (Australian War Memorial]Im November 1945 this modified 8.208, 24.04061, the Pacusan Dreambeat, ‘atabllshod a world non-stop dstance record by tiying tho 6,198 miles rom ‘Gum to Washington, DC. Note the absence ofall armament. Even the tall Gunner's pesitin has besn Yared over. (Bosing) « thelr 6.2986, bult by Bell, wore equipped with the top-secret AN/APOT Eagle radar. Al other 8-206 cariad” AN/APOMT3.ragar, which Wasa harigational ai by desig, although used by crews for might and bad weather Bombing. The Eagle racar was doveloped for bombing, with much greater Gefiiton. The 3sth's B-20Bs wero stripped ofall armament except tho tal ‘ret, whion ad te own radar control devea, and were speaifcaly intended forts nightbomeing ola. Thesighteas foot Eagle arf antenna beneath the Tuselage gave these arratt'e astincive appearence as they gathered. at Northwest Field on Guam. Their primary task was the destruction of the Japanese oll Industry, and the campaign began on June 26, 1948, with a stike ‘against Utsuse Ol! Ratner 'AS the war drew to an ond, the Superfortossos dotted Saipan, Tinian and Guam in slver hordes, Japanese ties anc’ factors were burned) and ‘Sestroyad, the waters of the inland Soa were files with mines, but Bil the fnemy rafusod to eutrender. Finally the 208th Composite Group, with a Squadron of fiteen spocially modified Omana-oult 6-296, put anna to he ‘hie resistance witt atomic. bomb attacks on Hireshma ang Nagasaki on Bugust 6 and August 7245 ‘Winen Japan eurendérad, come two thousand B-29s had been delivered to the USAAF, an’ 3 960 wore Bull belore production ceased at Renton Ia May 1948. Along’ Ihe way there Nad been’ a econnalssance. version ofthe Supecfonvase, the Fo19A, with K-18 and K-22 cameras and evra bomb Bay 1a Tara Tneist 8-08, 49-S0056 haa been converted towne Nee with allison 0 lengines. Another became the X8-44, with Prat & viniiney R-4960 engines. ‘mong ihe cancelled orders for over 8,000 8-298 was ho 8 296, which Would have had improved engines, nd the B-29D, which was re-desighated B-80, in 1986, Postwar conversions of the 8-29 included the XB-296, convertad for tre onirot tects In 19, the XB-20H used for armament tas In 1047, the she B5:29Fe, winterized for Alaska, and the XB-20G, a Jl engine test bod. In 1008 the F-128 beeame A-206 and'snather recon version, the F8-200, became FI5.20). The 88:29 was an aif sca rescue version, WB.203 wets weather feconnaissance aircraft, the V8-29 was @ VIP transport, QB-298 were tage! Grones, and the CB-20K was a 1049 cargo version. In November 1947 Boeing ha boon eskod te davelopal-t-ar rafusling methods, and in March 1046 we B:2is proved the theory, using tralling Noses and grappling Nooks. The Air Force ordorad conversion of ssventy-two 8-28 as tankers, and si of these XKS-20Ns refused the 8-50 Lucky Lady Il ding ihe fist nonstop aroun the ‘word flight In Febrary 1949. Thees aloratt used a hove to tanefer tu8) Boeing developed the "Fiving Boom which was a grat Improved Wanetot mmeinod 116 8-293 were mocilie at Renton with the new equipment anc ‘dubbed KE-20Ps. ‘Wihen the Korean War broke out, the Superortresses went into action lmmediatly- he 1h Group flew te fst miscion ofthe new war on June 25, 4980. Tre Zeng, 92no, Gein and 307In Groupe a0 Took part and the £206 actually roppea 8 greater tonnage of bombs in Korea than thay had In Werte was on June 21, 1960, that the and finally came, when Major Clarence Rarick of the €023¢0'Racar Evaluation ‘Squadron landed 8-29 42.6523 on (Okinawa, completing the last USAF Supertortese "ightA the end of February 1945 there (wae "disemisaction in Letlay's oft the coust combat 8-208 fed proved” invaluabe,"® special modification, dubbed “Supe umbo', was developed, wil ‘2cditional “radio personnel and ipmeont and droppable gear such ‘pneumatic. rafts, provision ioe and. eurvval te” After th ‘War the Idea wes expandod into the ‘36:29, earring ‘an. A-S.lfeboat 5s aircraft, 4.69971, wes one of ‘inten such conversions. (USAF/ Menard {urbojet engines. [eoeing| ‘a Apl 1947 the Navy segue tour firt two were designated P2B+1 the Inst two 26-2. ‘These sireraft wore eed "as. mother thi in£24578, Eacie Allen, carying the yellow tai “ah Bom Group. In wight months ths alert ‘Dombed targets in seven counties unt finaly salvaged In May 1945 dve To Battle damage. (USAF) B58th Bomb Wing Koragpur, India & West Field, Tinian ‘in Bomb Group fow fet mission June 6, 1944, attacking ralroad shops at Bangkok, Thalane- Awarded 4 Disnguiehed Uni Cation fr the attack on ‘Yauata ion and stool works on Auguet 20, 1944, and’ second DUG for tacking nval avert factories at Kure, ol storage feiities st Oshima, and the industnal area of Nagoya between tay § and 14,1845, A thrd DUC was {gem for aiden light metal indusiias i Gsaka on July 2a, 19, the 4oth Broup equadrone wor the 25th, 44th, 48th and 396th, the later diebanced In ‘Gctober 1944, Overseas tases wore Chava, Inala fom April 2,944 unt February 2, 945, hon Weet Fela, Tish fom April 47085 unl after the tier ‘the group mored 19 Incla under the commana of alone! Lenard F Herman, sucokaced by Colonel Wiliam FH, Blanchars on August 4 48, then {Golonel Horry F. Sullivan on February 16, 1945, ana finally Catone Willan Skaor alter Pebruary 27,1948, 441m Bomb Group fw tet mission against Bangkok, June 5, 1944, Receives first Distinguished Unt Citation for tha awata mission of August 80,1944, = {evond lorsrkes on ol storage facili at Oshima, a9 aera factory Moat Kobe, and an incendiary ‘ad on Nagoya between May TO and '4, 1885, Won third CUG for Osaka meen, arone were the &78t%, rz, Sréth and erat te a Ina irom Ao. 1942, then Duchkund, nia Yom July, 1964 until Maoh 41945, Moved to eat Fela tram Apri 7, 1985. Commanded by Colonel Alva Harvey from August 51943 unt he moved up fo S8th Wing, his place being taten by Colane! Henry Re Solver tom Apel 2, 1945; Colonel James © Selser took over the group on June 9, 1848, “ Loli’ Josie, The Pacific Pioneer arivs on Saipan with General Haywood S. Hansel, ecaling the coming of the 75rd Bomb. Wing. The aial as 3 8-20.0-80, While ater sveralt had ‘No Smoking Within 100 Feet fon thelr nosowneal doors, Josle had the teroe message “clean Your feet. 462ng Bombs Groupe aston June, 144, fo Bangor. Osinguihad Unit Gtatonforvewata mission, August 20,1944, second award for strikes on Industral areas of Tonyo ana Yovohama May 23,25 and 29,1948, hire DUG for daylight attack on airoraftfetory at Takaracuka on July 24, Teas, Squadrons ‘wore eet, 760th 770In ana 77¥st he lle asbandod October 1944, From Dori 1, 1844'mas baces af Pardasa, Ina unl Feoruary 26. 10a, then West Fata, finan, trom April 4, 1845, Commanded by Colonel Richard Carmichael from August 26,1063 unl he was shel sown during August 20 Ya mission, when Colonel Alea F Kalbere (ook over ‘681m Bomb Group tlw fist migsion Banakok, June 8, 1948, Ditingulanos Unittctatton for Yawata gayight mission, August 20, Yoda, when the sath ‘Wing lost fourteen 8:28. Seca award for nancy missions agaist Tayo tnd Vokonama between May 23 and 29, 1946, and ina DUG for mission gains Tekarazuka on July 2, 1943. Squadrons wore Band, 793d, 784th and ‘Est. the latter clesanded in Octobar 10s4. The 468th wae, based. at ‘Knarsopur, nga rom Apr'9, 1984 until Fobrvary 24, 945, than West Feld ter apail@, 1045. Commended by Galonel Howard. Engler tom Saptombar Tadd unl August tee, wer Colonel Tee 8. Faulkner took over Faulkner tras lost on the Novernber 8, 1944 Singapore mission, nnd Catone Jemes W Eémundeon became the 49's final commanderPostville Expres, a 8:20-5-8W, with the red all stripes and nose mati ofthe ‘ld 794th om’ Squedron of the d6sth Group. This alreraft went hom ‘ater thirtgen combat missions and 29 to drop Tail Skid [Below) The 498th Som Group moves into Isley Field, Saipan, and tlw practice missions against Tuk and Iwo Jima pir ta the ist Tokyo mission on Inleating tho group A forthe 407th, T forthe 498th, V forthe 499th and 2 Yor the s00%m. Fay, T7268 82-65210, the fourteonth Nartn-Sult B20, with tall anon and fourgun upper forward turret, im the process of having” het Eaptivating nose art applied. Behind is Ts 24, 2-28525, tasy Mary Anna, [ight #24 was lost on March 28, 1946 during a miesion tothe Mitevzhi plant ft Nagoye © no word was ever heard of Mer fate: [USAF]jul ‘The 462nd Bomb Group hesas home rom Rangoon on Norember 3, 1988. The srrat < I inthe foreground lo 4228505, Wic Har The end Group used Indvigua sera Fer | . leer, red rudders, and a number to denote the aircrafts squadron, [USAF]73rd Bomb Wing Isley Field, Saipan 437% Bomb Group few its rst mission against Japan proper on November 24, 194s, Received 2 Distinguianed Unt citation eh January 21, 1945, when Weather obacured the primary target and B-23s withstood heavy attacks 12 Sitike Hamamatsu, Segond GUC was awarded for ttatagie aftecks Detwean ‘uly 28 and August 2, 1945. Squadrons wore the 800th, Oth ang S7iet, Bowed at leley Flea from Ootober 47,1944 until November 1943, Commande By Golonei Stuat P. Wright from Apa 26,7946, then Colonel Arnold Johnson from Februar 26, 1965, 498th Bomb Group flow shakedown missions prior to Tokyo miesion of November 24, Toes, Distinguished Unit Chation for iack on Miteubis engine plant at Nagoya on Dacomber 13, 1044, secona DUC for Incendiary sticks on urbaa industries near Osaka and Kate during thelist week of June, 4046, Squadrona were the 73d, G7ath an €76th. Tha fash was based a sly Flald rem September 6, 1944 Until November i946, The commanders were {Golone! Wey Ganey trim Maren 4, 1088 and Colonel Dansia Saunders from ‘Kugust 10, 1996. 490th Bomb Group flew frst mission against Japanese homeland November 24, 1944. Distingushea Unit Clation for miseign fo Witeubish! plant at Nagoya, January 23, 1046, sacon DUC for series of missions againetaiilds fon kjushu Apr 2210 28, 1965, Squadrons were 877th, 873th and 87Sth. The {9sth was based at Isley Field from September 16, i944. Commanded by oionel Samuel A. Haris from April 14, 1948, Colonel Mocs J Lee {am March 17, 1885, and Lt. Colonel Walter &. Chambers after August 13, 196, 5001h Bom Group took part in firs Tokyo mission on November 24, ater Shakedown missions. Received Distingusnad Unit claton for attack on Mitsubish plant at Nagoya on January 23, 195, second DUG for incendiary ‘tes on Kyushu, Osaka ang Mamamateu Jund 18 to 20, 1045, Squadrons ‘were 68st, B8and and e8ord. Based at Isley Field from September 18, 1944 Unt Octaber. 1945. Commanded by Colonel Richard T. Ring rom Hay 5,844, {nti the B25 In whieh he was tying was lost during the Dacember 2, Tadd Musashino mission = disabled by gunie, dropped town with wo engines smoking, ana a wing Buckled ast Wleappeared tom view. However, King and Several of the stow. survived. ao. prconers. Colonel ohn Dougherty ommandod the S00 Yrom December 8 unl alter the war's end, contempt for what remained for Japanese sit pow Saipan were frequent unl ealy To4s. T= 22 uihich served with the 498th Group unt he end of the War. USAF] ‘The ao7th’s 4265425 rs up for the tts Tokyo mission. Cloud over the target Aulled the impact ofthe mission, but eighy-eight 8-295 dumped thar bombs ‘on Japan thet day and W Bocarie only a matter ot me unl final victory (sarySsipan reverberate to over four hundied Wight R53608 a8 the Tard Wing DroparesYo\sthe the Japanese capital forthe st time since the Doce | faders. USAF] November 24, 1968, and the S00th Group's 42-63435 prepares to go to Tokyo. (usar) ©) A s201n Group sitet, bloated with bom © B-sot-toot runway. (USAF) and fuel, leaves Saipan’sA ansarc-15 of) Tail Turret Radomett Four milion cube yards of coral and rock had been moved to provide he TaIde Bese [usar Wingplane cracked up on Saipan is a Renton-bullt F-128-5-BN ron. The ground glass windows cut the belly are portly os)‘The 464th Group's 42.63529 approaching. the {arget ate at Rangoon on Februay 1 1940. Ths erat was shot Sown over Tokyo during a May ‘ight mission ‘On her ta she earsos the “Bly Icha! Bomb Group! pennant, awarded to the ‘sath in August 1008. [USAF] The 408th Group's _42-24605 over Tanapag Harber, Saipan. [USAF]was this aroratt from the 676th up. This le 86-20-2588, the ot Bell tail cannon. [USAF]B-29 Tail Markings313th Bomb Wing North Field, Tinian ‘6th Bomb Group few ist mission against Japan proper on February 19,1945, Fecoies frst Distinguished Unit tation on May 25, 1085, fora night ow aititude stack on Tony, second DUC for blockade of Japan by mining harbors In'Japan and Korea between July 9 and 10, 1945. Seuecrens ware 2h, 3 lana a0th, Based at North Field from December 26, 1944. Commanded by Colonel Kenneth H. Gibson, th Bom Group low ist ssion to Japan February 18,1945, Distinguished Unit Ctstion fer Sombing Kawasaki inguetral area ‘on tho night of Apa 15, 4045, Second award for mining operation inthe Inland Gea between May 93 ‘and 28,1845, Squacrons were the Yat, Sth ang 94h, Based at North Feld from December, 184, Colonel Donald Wi. Eleentart was commander from May 1, Yoaa, euccesded by Colonel Many C. Huglin on March 8, 194, ‘04m Bomb Group fst mission against Japan, Fobruary 19, 1945, Distinguished Unt ciation for strike On Vakohama’ industries on May 28, 1945, and again for mining Korean shipping lanes, the Shimonosek Strait and the Inland Sea between duly 27, 1940 and August 14. Squadrons wore the 386in, 421st and 680th. Based’ at Norin Field trom’ December 23, 1944 ‘Gommanded by Colonel James T. Connally from Apri 6, 1944, Colonel Glen We Matin ater February 6, 1045, 508th Bomb Group recaved Distinguished Unit Citation tor attack on alert factory at Gta on February 10, 18, Just four days after its first mission. Second BUC for mining of Shimonosek Sralt and Inland Ses between dune fnd July 1, 1985, Squadrons were 482nd, 4Bdr0 and aeath, Based at North Field from December 18, 1044. Commanded by Colonel Robert A. Ping May 3, 1844 Unt Lt Colonel Charlee Mr Eisenhart took over On July 4, 1045 500th Composite Group joined the 313th Wing's B-20s to attack Japan July 20, 1045, Te teen specially modified Supetforresses were tom the 383d ‘SQuadron, Bases at North Field from May 29, 1945, and commanded by Colonel Paul W, Tibbetts, J Iwo could be dangerous with cripples staggecng in one after another. The Drakes on this B-29 locked and it swerved through the igh ine, demolishing our Mustangs. All the crew escaped, although two were Nosh ‘ume, The man inthe foregound fe icking explosing smmunition. (USAF) With two Jima fogged in, the crew ofthis 6th Group aircraft had litle choice. They diched ac clove to he shore a they could and swam the rest ofthe way. USAF}seine out on gre ron made yn rough The 4h Group's 2.63487 did not quite make it to Iwo. (USAF)‘This 497th Group 8:28-55.8W got into trouble before she © sxzormngrorery make amd caslanded om in March eis, USAR The 468th Bomb Group lined up prior tothe March 17, 1945 Rangoon mission. [USAF ‘A. S000 Group alteratt, tamed by a. partly completed portable hangar, cleay’ shows the high wsiblliy of the {telve foot lettre wnich entitied 738 Wing areal ator ‘pil 1848, (USAF)314th Bomb Wing North Field, Guam 481m Bomb Group flew frst mission against Japancse home islands during Tokyo strike of February 25, 1045. Awarded fist Distinguished Unit Citation for Tow altitude incendian)_attcke on Tokyo, Nagoya, Kobe and. Osaka between Maron and 10,1945, ‘545, Squadrons wate th, S0th and Sirs: aged at North Field from January 16, 1948, and commanded by Colonel John A. Robert, J 20th Bomb Group first mission against Japan flown February 25, Received Distinguished Unt Citation for atack on Omura ai 4845, and a second for strhea on industrial targets at Shizvoka, Miteubioh plan at Tamashima ang Chiguea a’senal at Nagoya between June 19 and 26, S. The squadrons wore 6th, 4310 and S2nd. Based at North Field tom danuary 17,1945, Commanded by Colonel Gat A. Storie from May 28, 1944, Golonel Haven L. Mason after dly 23, 1945. sb Group flew fist Japan mission April 12, 1945, sitking. the ‘hemmieal plant a Kofiama. First Distinguished Unit Citation fora strike against otake ol refinery May 10, 1945, secand for bombing industria land dock areas of Yokohama and maniftuting datits of Tokyo between May 2 and 20, 1945, Squadrons wore 60th, Otst anc S2nd. Based at Novth Fela from February 18. 195. Commanded by Colonel John G. Fowler trom February 22, 1945, Colonel George W. Mundy trom March 16, 1946, and ‘Colonel James €. Roberts from August 16, 7946 3900h Bomb Group tow fst mission Apel 12,1945, attacking Hodogaya plan. ‘Won Distinguished Unit Gitation for incenclay raids on industry In Fomushima land Gifu and Kou hydro-lectc power center between duly 8 and 9, 1945 ‘Second DUC for sre on Nakalima Musashino plant neat Tokyo on August 6, ‘ous. Squadrons wore 497th, 458th ang 48h, Based. at North Feld from Febroary 18, 1945, Commanded by Colonel Douglas ©. Pelham 104s, ‘The 00h Bomb Group came to North Field on Guam and lew its fst combat ‘mission to Maug, Inthe northern Marian ty Gites} [Above & Below} Removing old markings and painting new ones on 8.298 was hot an overnight ob, ac evidenced by this erash-landea S00 Group aircraft on {wo Jima. The tall‘ has only been applied to one side ofthe tal, andthe od 20 markings are still faintly visible [USAF]Colonel Cat Store's 29h Bom Group tet stuck Japan on February 25, ‘8¢5, The Modal of Honor swardes to “Red” Erain waa the only such award ‘made to 8.29 crewman during World War I: [USAF] witha budsy tor company, a 29h Group 8-29 with an engine out heads for Iwo. [USAF] Red Erwin It was Thursday, April 12, 1945 ang the day's target was a rough one oryama. This was th tat lima the €-208 had bear sent wo ths Chemical Plant inthe mountains northeast of Tokyo. It was also the deepest penetration Et Vapan by Mavianas-baeed bombers to that date. Defended by neat Hak, and pcoably lighter, this luster of mal factories would call fora ft precision fying Major George Simerl's Superfortress, the City of Los Angeles, was the lead pane of the S2na Squadron, 29th om Group. Ih Sadan Wo hs regular Gfew, he had on board Colonel Eugene Stiouse, the squadron commander, Fiding along as an observer 1 the shores of Gua Toll away, Staff Sergeant Hon Erwin setiod i a8 Beet he coor he cation of hi leven msslon aga 8-28 aie operator, Snepat of an galer mission, an eight minuto fight through we seemed Eciig wall of antslreratt fire never completely let his ming, ana he found it Inmpezsiba ts raaly rolex le some people could. By the time he haa made Mis Final racio checks, tha City of Los Angeles was Teas than two hundred Milos from its destination, As squadron lads It was the alrrat around which he Sther 8-208 of the Sang Squadron would form thelr tighter formation at th Ina Point. Atte IP was "Rod Erwin’ duty 10 drop parachute les and Brosphoreus bamb Inicating the assembly point for ine other atrratt. So he Fomovod his earshones, pulled Rimelt to his tect and got ready "The phosphorous sincke bombs were thick canisots weighing. about twonty pounds, with a shesocond layed action fuse whlch would alow them to'fall Some tives hundrod feat before detonating, The device waa Iterally ‘repped through reular flease pipe near the bom Bay. ‘Re Erwin stood up ne saw something through the small equare window at his side "Fights" he saa, hat to nimecit-h yellowish twin-engines Mick tas coming tn on thar right, shooting inte the next for ship echelon of 8-206 ‘Fhe gunners had already" seen hand four Jacks to theta 20 wal “The 8-20 held tei ove! ourae asthe fightare snapped at them. Evasive soton was usslese anyway. attr the Initial moment of sitass Ewin agaln Wont about Ns offical duty. the signals. By now they wero over the Japanese Const, andthe frst burst ot flak came up To greet them. The City snucderes ‘once, and Ewin el tote loon swearing to hme He got up, got his aes nd the phosphorous bom and stood besie tho release pipe, wating fr the rap signa rom the pit. Of othe Tigh a 6.20 wae rainy a thik stream ot Smoke, end seomes motloniss In he clear, bright say. Then the gant Bogan torent downwards, banking on ts iaiccamaged rant wing. AS te ast iver Underside slowly vealed Reef betore he eyes, rain could see the flames Streeming back into the smoke. Tha four bomb bay doors opsned, end the Jetsoned bundles of Inoendlaries tumbled out aa the plane turned, Etraigmened up, and Began the lonely dash To two Jima. ‘Simeral rigid his hand. and lookes back rom his seat at Ervin. The secgeant droppes the colored parachute llares through the pipe, Ae they Sxplodea, the eyes ofthe plots 6 the ather 8:70 turned toward the lead ship Saling ine phosphorous signal. Erwin sot the fuso, held the bomb over tbo ‘eisaee pipe, and iet sie trough a fingers: The device catered own the Dipe, But ald nt fall through the release gate atthe bottom = he Hap Musthave jammed ator the last flare went through. It bounced momentary, then Exploded. A stream of sering fame shot trom the tube ino Erwin’ face. The Bom flew back up the tube @ deadly fireall purring at 200 dograes. Now It had happened. Crews ha talked of what might Rappen if something went Uirong with that damned release fobe, With tees tone of Incendlaras In the ‘nearby bomb bay was a eae bet that a whale fourslane echelon would go UP Tone plane's bomb load exploded. And now had happened. “The binding treba tipped through he 8-29 like 2 giant, slow motion incendiary blll. Hiting the rool, # bounced back, fs white Rest smothering Erwin. Hig oso was already Suined ol, mest of his right ear and tho whole {op hai this body was charted. He fll backwara, his scorched arms ling, fis ming a aca of confusion and teribl, unbearablo pain. The bom a asi Cama to rest on thelaor of the arava, burning ang sputerng, afew feet Yom the bomb bay. One othe gunners, Sefgaant MP. Curphey, tRought maybe he {ould smother it with parachute packs ana let ibutn ts way through the leo. ‘keine reached for the chutes he became aware that his plan wae no vee. The ‘Gombe wers ta0 close, and the thick emoke was choking everyone in the breseurtod bomber. Erwin somehow managed to getup from the floor, Ms mming Geadoned and hazy. Almost blind, he eyes a mass of blisters, he ‘laggeted toward the glowing bom, Hewas nearly tere when the nose ofthe ical suddenly dipped, twowing him sideways into hie radio equipment. Up font Simeral'and the: co-pilot were coking from the thick amace. which Dianketeg thelr cabin. The City was out of sonra, fang ata sity dogree Angle Colonel Strouse, who ed Been looking over Simeral’ shoulder tor fost ofthe light, was vow ito the tp of the nose with the bombard. Now oniy'700\fest from the ground, Simerat couldn't Jetison the bombs because of the blast, Cutsing wildly, he fought 10 regain control of the frplane, Ae he straggied withthe contra, Erain had managed to locate the Bomb with his ingers. The cloting on ihe upper halt of his body was all but fone, andthe skin was burning 28 he ited the tireall In is Ran Slowly, {Eboviously, Ervin edged foward the nose of the plane, away from the bom bay. Crying, coughing, he held the phosphorous Bomb as Mis Mand and wilt Burnt 10 the bone. ‘Simeral seams: “Got it out the window! ‘The trudging, burning figure fought his way through the equlpment toward thom" Hie ieueer, he soos, his ele body was atte. “Open the window" he ed, bumping nto the co-pilot, who was already poling fo the window. He Tosched for tne bom himeat, ut somehow Erwin found the opening, hese the bomb through it, thon collapsed, hi Tiflaon second ordeal over. ‘Thealtcralt was down stound hres hundred Toot ad ier, al roughts ‘of target, mission, enemy gone from hi mind, leveled ot, gained altitude and {umed te alter! around and dumped the bor Youd as he raced fr Ive dima Hoan the ore new Erain must aia, ut they Ra to ery Hla body was Sprayed with fear unt they were sure ali the tes ware aut, ang Curphey gave ima shot of morphine. Eran us lay there, groaning IncompreheniDi, then fcTeaming_ a6 vole of consciousness passed over his bran. One of the crew {01 the radio working ana sont a Mayeey signal to hwo. Erwin was the ony {tew member wth any emerganoy mosieal taining, and while Simeral andthe fthers knew he needed blood plasma, none of them knew exactly how to Sminister it Then Erwin ‘stopped sheik, se Ns Yortured mins somehow [justed and he became conscious. He could just manage to speak, ry ‘with an engine streaming smoke, thie 29th Group 8-29 holds formation, Bailout over Japen was tho wore of the altomative. Primary Palout procedure fon a Superiore was forall stew in the forward compartment to lump {hrough the nase whee! wala crew in he ear compastvent through thereat Dombbay, except the radar operator who used the rear entrance doer. The ‘Gunner hed his own escape hatch In his comparimeat. [USAF] ‘The majesty of the 8-28; 2 25th Group lead ship takes to the. usar} from two Jima, a7- Danny Mite, 489777 ofthe 696th, went down after losing two angines over Tokyo, May 2, 1845 "the group lout fur 628s on iis mision «tne athertnvee, Fifty Fay, Anoinet ‘Tide, wete simply never heard of egal (AME. Hatlzon) ‘The 20m Group's cramped quarters at North Feld on Guam, home of General Thomas Power's Stith Wing. 1USAFL ‘North Field, Guam, andthe 38th Group's Censored swings onto the taxi strip atthe head of 2 procession of ullploaded 6-285. [Boeing] 8slowly. Lying thee, he told the crew how to administer the plasma, folloned by more marprine, Then he listened to his friends forte fo convince im Ne Would be alrght. For the nearly two houre remaining inthe fight te ve sma, Erwin wae not once grant the roi of unconsciousnass, He ust stared at tno calling above him When the City reaches lwo, Simoral raced straight in, slammed the 8-29 down and braked fo a shuddeiing hal. Siotcher Beaoie toured Info the Siva and caries Ervin out, With te row riding slong, they raced nim to he hosp Por four days Enwin was eubjectes to tranafusions, kin gratis, internal surgery and injection aftr injection. Then he was flown to the lear Nosptal tack on Guam, and slowly his recovery began ‘Before leaving Iwo, the twenty tives "year olf sergeant, encased in bandages trom ni head to hie Toot, Was ptasented with the Congressionsl Medal ot Honor by General LeMay, who thought it necessary to repest the ast Tine of the cation Above and’ beyond the cal of Sut Iwo Jima, and B-29s trom at least seven diferent groupe gleam In the late ‘tteinoon gun. [USAF] “The 444th Group moved to West Field, Tinian, esly in April 1845. With four £8,500 foot runways, Tnlan was the ita stil inthe wort At the head of thi Iineup fs Alroarn, 2 vatean of many CBI missions. [USAF]The 468th Group's fleet Imiselon trom the Marianas Mae town om ty "1, 1085 {e'Nagoye: USAF] {o'hro, but woul roveLoaded Dice and other 8-28 from the 16th Bomb Group, part of General Frank ‘Armstrong's 8th Wing. Stripped ofall but the tall armament and equipped ‘ath top-secret radar, thee alert began operations egalnat the Japanese home isiande in June 1945, (USAF) "¢ presentation wae, made by ‘Genet ‘Arnold et Northwest Ficle, Guam on June 18, 1045. The AN/APG.7 Eagle ust visible under the engine. [Bary Gilkos) 315th Bomb Wing Northwest Field, Guam {81m Bomb Group slew frst mission against Japanese home islands on Jun 25, 1945" Received Distinguished Uni Citation for uneszoriad iss ‘agains! an of finery at Shimotsu, Mitsubishi refinery ang oll Installations at iéwasah and coa!iquelation plants at Ube Betweon July 29 and August 6, 4045. Squadrons were the Tsth,Yeth and 17th. Bases at Northwest Fle from ‘pil 14, 1045, Commandos by Colonel Samuel. Gurney from July 1, 10a {and Lt Colonel Anave F- Castalott tom July 111093, ‘2 Bomb Group flew fist Japan mission July 8, 1946. Won Distinguished {Unit Cation foratacke In bad weathor, fighters and heavy Tak apalnst Ub Shimeteu and Kawasaki July 220 29, 1240, Squasrone were 285, 358 and s7th, Baced at Norwest Field from May 12,1948. Commanded by Colonel dames, N. Peyton {04st Bomb Group lew fist mission agalast Japan proper on June 27, 1945. Fecehed Distinguished Unit Citation for attacks on Maruzan olf refinery at ‘Shimatou, Uteobo vatingry at Yokkaich! and. petroleum cent” at Kawacak between July 8end 18,1005, Sguaarone wers {he ist, #154 and 45h. Gases at Nothweat Flels trom Apni' 14, 194s. Commanded by Colonel Bova ‘snd Bomb Group few ts rst mission to Japanese hame stands on July 15, ‘94s, Won Distinguished Unit Citation forsee on coal lauetaction plant at Ube tank farm's Amagasak!, Nippon cll otirery al Teuchlsal bet August 8 and 18, 1045, Squadrons were a02na, 411th aha 430th. Based Northwest Field from May 12. 1945. Commanded by Colonel Kenneth. SanbornA Attn Group 8:28 comes no wo in Joly 845; utile the 487 Group Sera in the foreground hes lll revised. markings, the ther sreralt sti Cartes ie 01d black diamond marking, (USAF “This is what olfcialdom aid to 8-29 artwork inthe Tard Wing. Gravel Gertie, ‘of forty-nine mission withthe 00th Group, Deas the yellow Darb and ‘winged ball which was deemed preferable. August 6, 1845. (USAF) ‘The 315th Wing, and particulary the S06th Group, was assigned the task of mining Japaneto goa lanes, and tgan te ight of March 27,148. By the {nd ofthe war his operation was crested wit the destnction or éarage of bout one milion tone of anomy shipping. The areaft In the foreground Ie from the 605i, inthe background a wingmate fom the 9th Group. [Frank Smit The 6th Bomb Group's Look Homeward Angel was the fist 9.29 to land on Okinawa's Bolo Stip. ator lak damaged her over Japan on August 11, 7943. Tsar aTwenty Thousand Tons of TNT... High over te sprawling Japaneee city of Hiroshima a 8-20.35-MO cruised above the seateres clovde, uninterrupted Ia i's mission of surveilance. At 47:25am. Major Clause Eatery, plat ot the Staight Flue, sen a brit radio Ineseage: "Cloud cover less than 3/%0%hs af all sittudes. Acvice: Bomb Primary Wt was the message that desttoyed Hiroshima, “The atomic bom was the end result of $x years of planning and research tat began tn August 1999, when Doctor Albert Einstein wrote fo President Roosevelt scussing the poasibity of constructing a tremendously powerful ‘om rom uranium Eat in 1943 laboratory work began, Major General Les Groves, drectr of the "Manhattan Enginee stir as howe in charge of th Sevelopment ofthe bomb were known, notified AAF General Hap Arno that the new 6-20 would be the areraft most sulted to dellvering the Lome, inmid-1844, organization othe special force began. To commen the uit, ‘Arnold seicctd Colonel Paul Tisbete, Jt atwenty-nine year ola pilot whe had flown 8375in Europe ana Nor Avice, and who was cure exing B68 “Tibbets alone knaw the purpose and details of the program, His men knew thoy wouta bo operating witha special Kind of bomb, but Rad no isos of e ectrucive capacity. For the bulk of the combat crew the etd Como Squadron, aiesay training in Nebrasea, was elacted. This was the core of 8 Totally‘ selt-suificlnt coma unit grouped togetner as the S00tn Composite Group on Dacember 17, 1044 ‘i May 1945, alla exlensve training with dummy bombs in Utah, they recelved their motitied Martin 28s, among the frat with reversible pitch propallas, On June 11 the combat crows bagan hacking in at Inet overseas bave, North Field on Tinan, where the Sosthwas attache to the stain Wind, 313th Wing ‘ter hee wooks of combat taining, he S0OMh took part in trikes on Japan. Tir results were good, aetlction of he excopionally high Segre ot ining. The usual plot ond Bombardier mace. twenty practice visual Bombing runs the Soth's rule was one thousand The S09tN aid nat lose @ “ Enola Gay, 4496292, with false 6th Group markings, from Colonel Paul ‘Tibbate’ S000 Composite Group. [USAF) rman of an area in taining oF combat operations, and their bembardiars ould trap a bomb within 800 foot elie from 90,000 feet ‘As July came ean eng, the S0Mth's 6-28 were re-marked with a variety of 2.20 ing markings. Enola Gay withthe 6th Group's Insignia, Sight Flush ‘vith the teat Top Secret withthe 407th", and £0 on, Ealy On August , in a‘contolled-emperature bulding on Tinian, the assembly of the fiat ‘atomic bom ~ known a6 “Little Boy" ~ Dogan. Ns Speration was reatvely'simpie and foolproa!” Uranlum 236 at each and of Tong gun bare, brought together bya proximity fuse twas fo be dropped on ‘August 3, oras soonatteras weather conditions permite Enola Gay would cary {bn August 2 Prosient Truman made the decision to use the bomb against apan. The date or the atack was set at August 6. The briefing ofthe crews ‘Bogan on August 4, with lms of te cuccesatul tos! exploaion at Alamogordo, New Mexico, In July. Ne mention was mace of an “atomic” device, simply 8 om with an explosive free equivalent to 20,000 tons of TNT. Presnlasion Inatroctions were given, with apecia attention to avoiding smoke clouss and ‘ho critical distance the plane Should be from the taget whon the bom wt Getonated. The crows wore then iesued protective ‘On August Tibet arrat was ‘om bay, the doors closed, and Enola Mes assembled fr a weather Srefing. {day, with high silly and litle cloud. Shorty after, Eatery taxied Straight Flush down North Fils floodlit runway and pointed ner foward Hiroehima, {000 miles away. Simultaneously, Jabbit and Full Howse were heading foe the secondary targets, Korura and Nagasaki ‘Ag soon as Eatherly sent nis message confirming good conditions at Hreshima, ne Neaed ack for Tian, passing the tMee:plane. BOMBING ‘ration on the way Tibbets ies Enola Gay off at 2:45, Two minut later the camera plane,‘Necessary Evil, plioted by Malor Goorge Marquart, followed, then. Malor hares. Swoorey's ‘The ‘Great Artista, feaded. with inincata scion Inctrumonte ‘hs the aicrattfeveled out over the Paci, Captain Willem Parsons and LU. Moris deppaon armed the bomb, Whi conventional bombs were alvays farmed on the ground, twas felt his added precaution should ba Taken wth {hie bom, The thr alrcalt met over baron Iwo Jima, were a seventh 09th 8:20 Top Secret, waited o take Enola Gays place anything has gone wrong ‘mochaneally. The tee 8-208 Dogan the climb fo bombing alte, sn the ‘Grew membere etteg down toe Tong fight shead of ther. ‘hlapan drow closer, Tlobets mace his way through the area, giving tinal instructions, and ner the enemy coast Captain Parsons took a inal look at the bomb. Everything was ON ‘Tha bomb run began twenty-five miles from Hiroshima, Enola Gay closing in at 329 mies per hour Twelve migs rom the targat the, bombarsiot Took ‘ver, He coule #60 Hiroshima, 31,600 feet below rim, At9.15 a.m., AUBUSE 6, he released the bomb. The amen pulled thelr goggles ever thar ayes a ow Including Tidbet,feagat to.” and waited {lesa than a minute later, the Bomb exploded 2,000 feet over Hiroshima ‘ibbets had already put Enola Gay nto avislent 160 degree turn, retareod 80 mnany times, and was twelve mies from the lage ‘Gn tho ground, the eighth largest city in Japan was beginning a new day ‘There had boon anairraid alert aout on Rourbetore, But Iwas only ons 8-29 {and the lapanese wate used to the recon fight or thee county. Hireehima Tad received ile aention from the Twentieth Ar Fores, not ike Tokyo and Immediaiy after the war the 8-296 spent 2 couple of wooks supplying dapan. The 6in Group's Earthquaxe Meson, 4228065, {sTlosaing up sin Tate August. (Ray Pritchara} Enola Gay, rapsinted with he sOeth’s individual marking a black arrowhes the $13in Wing's block crete. USAF] Enola Gay retums rom Hiroshima ater her momentous mission. The 8-208 In the 809th Group were all bil at Omaha and eatied no srmament other than the tal ture [USAF] Also carving 6th Group markings, the s0sth's number 80 dlaplays the clean, "ile of the supped dob, apataly supped sem Bombers Prank Senttipped of armament and cares the words ‘PW SUPPLIES’ under the wlngs iRay Prtehar] ‘ead plane from the oth Group, with black and yellow fuselage bands and ‘whit cow bands and tll tip. The alrerat Ie named The Spearhead and has Nose art nobody could object to ~ the Marines raising the Hag on wo Jima's Mount Surlbachi. [Ray Pritchard) Yokohama, which had been guited by massive fie bombing. The 246,000 fesidents though they had heen spared, Dut eould not understand why. They ‘id not know thay had been "veserved forthe atone bomb. Few would have Heat tne Enola Gay as it passed overhead. Then the whele sky was ile with ‘binging light. Walls crumbled and glast whistled through the al Free began avaryamere at ones, cresting torrie frowing that raged trough the ‘ty. More than fur and a half sauare miles of Hiroshima were completly ‘esiroyed, and a cloud of smoke and dust dacrened the ety Winen the bomb ‘exploded he ieror of Enola Gey was completely iuminated by a bal of Ya, sbout 8,000 fest in diameter” The huge atomic ‘loud oae to 20.000 eet nthe iret 60sevonde, and eventually reached 80,600 feat: Shook wavee racitos trom roaching out and suteting the & 20. Tiobete turned the arratt to Took atthe target, then Neadod back for Tila instructing his tal guaner 10 watch the cloud and Tet him know when i isappented rom view’ Thee hundred a sixtytee miles tom Hitoahima i ‘was fading tem sight. Six years, two billon dollars, one bomb- an immense ‘Operation which, with a similar atack on Nagasaki three days ister, onde Operation Crossroads was the first stomic test series aller the war. This Bo-40 MO, 427854, Dave's Dream on the way to Bikini on July 1, 946 (USAFbingy ‘The old 18th Bomb Group moved to Kadena, Okinawa in July 1950, and flew sesh ne ety oi 5. This rat Never Hopoan, rm the 260 juegron. (Boeing “aB-29 Production ‘Ths 3,060 Supertoresses were bult in ho factories; Boeing's Sesto piant produced ihe three XB-20, Boeing produced. another 1/634. in_ Wet Ranta, Bel bul 663 ai Alanta, Geotgia, Marin proguced S26 at mana, 1 Boeing's Renton, Washington plant bul the other] 418. A few Notes regarding’ 8-9 serlela ve necessary’ tho Boeing. Wichita factory produced 240 ofthe nial production & 28 the eral range being 42.6208 frou 42-868, exeapt for 42-5222, 12-6224, 42-6835, 426235 ad 42-6289 (Bolte tat fhe’ Superfori), ard. 42-6200, 42-6200, 426031, 42.6232 and ‘2.6237 (Martin fret fe). The other broad cera ranges ware Bosing Wienta Aezeaaoraa oer, 4000584470154, 44eTEDe/ 44-7786. and 4621603) GS-21672 Bell Aliana «200052/42-05761, 44-00000/ 404799, 484144) 4ic5er49, plus four stagalers — 42-0451, $2, 25 and. 66. Martin Omaha aesaoaidaasai, “aasessis/aze6%01 8k-27250/ 4427359, 44862027 4S486473. Boing’ Renton 42-03824/ 4296123, —44-81510/84-62528,. The [aucacious use of 6-20e stripped ofall ut the tll armament led to a factory ‘vorsion of tho “stipped Supertones, bull by Gol az the B-298. The Ital batches were but in normal blocks, but curing the 8-2-40-BA/B-298-40.58 Batch the prectice of allomating scials for the two version began. With a ‘eupie o exceptions, ihe serials allenated Delween oven aid odd humbers for the Tuliysrmed B22 andthe atipped 8-260, BOEING WICHITA Ye.29-6W 1-30958 Beao--8W 28008 Basew 22.8055, Bacon ‘205 BanisaW oss ba23W 2.6005, BN ‘arzeu20 6.20.20." azzearo B.2835-80 2.20520 o-29500 so-21788 4521792 B-298-40-8A senale wore, 4269602. through B210-8W 4220570 aan 4.21842 42-6576 except for S737, s744, 3730, whieh wore Bas on 220070 2-226-00 e170 G.zie2 al B20, and 44-03800. through 44005 bas oW aebarn0 Basraw ‘e270 GS7751 —Gueepl for 3808. The 8206-45-08 serials were base aW aa2u8r0 Bztonew 45.2043 4.21872 4465000 tough’ 46.89049 except Tor sixteen ‘eness ‘Areraft — so00, 200%, 2000, 26"1, 2814, O°17, 5.20-60-00 ‘aecenr0s BELL ATLANTA ‘3920, $023, 3026, 3028, 3080, 3032) 3059, 3006, B2.65-30 ‘00008 Ba-BA 428222, 6704, 6290, 6705, 6249 3968, 3040 — all of which wore. B-20-455 Ba rosn aice0005 anise ‘-0uces Between 44-83044 ang 4482058, a ods numbers ean7an 20558 2265966 ‘esaor were 6-20-45-04, all_even numbers wer Bze08N Basioaa ‘eens ‘eeasor 6.29045 44-03005 and 44.00961 were B- 200-459, Peareny aes402 ‘2eaesr —44-69800and-e-69062 wore 8-29.45.5A8, Bulwer 220-85-00 aacere3e Baza, aeanese ‘2.eiso1 44-69060 and 4484008, the oven numbers were eae oN acsrase 2:29.25 23602 $0uss} —BZ050-8A. the oad’ numbers “B.208-40.8A B2008N arse 5:2.90-04, aeaese 42e6ye80 From 48-6000 fo 44-04086, the oven numbers “Gea nroductoy nots BADGA SBT ‘eae — wore B-2055-0A, tho odds 8200-55-84. The 45.21603 ‘Bie — BpaB.aBA 42.82 42.6360] Sram numbers between 4404057 and 4494109were 8-2960-Bhe, the odd numbers B-298-60-8A, Finely, the &-20880A0 cerned the even umbbre betwen aa-eei04 and 4484182) and the 8-290-05.088 the odd numbers, 424165 was a 8:29008, and 44-54156 was 2 8:20:85, the final two Bel! Superfortrsses. B.25-1-MO 42.6220, 6200, 6201, 6202, 6297 szesz0e 42-65204 2-205.Mo 25205 eeeaztt 3.210-M0, ‘esa #268219 B2018M0. aes220 £2.65235 3.20.20. MO. ‘aes2%8 2265269 82025M0 ‘acon 2.65513 2930-MO ‘esis ‘esas 829350 ‘eens azsior pre) se-zrses 2.2940-MO aazraa9 aeorse aeeczae eeeeie 5.2045.40 aeeezrr eee318 Bans ‘85370 220. 35425 8 aa 8073 a 5204-18 2.9824 seasees Saas soseee Sease73 Baan were ‘4.83029 BORIeEN tease2e ‘22.8307 B-294-20-6N, ‘eansere 42.90023 B20425-8N, oun 4290073 B:294.90-0N sonore abonies 520495 6N seeisio aesteco Baaaa0-oN eeore10 aesir00 Bama en seeino aceraoe BaoASo-aN, Prony a¢61900 BagaoeeN eeisi0 aeeni09 B20As0.8N te2010 aeez109 BZAeEN esm0 seez209 B20, 70.8N weean0 aeoza09 Baga750N dceeno aeezsas There Ie some_ disagreement regarding the umber of 8-29¢ actually produced, “Some Formally reliaie soureos quote a total ot 3,070 ‘This listing has boon based on a comprehetaive Beskcown by ah T. Wible publishes inthe ARANS Journal. Ii Interesting ta note that ony Bell dcvered 2 ‘combat ready’ 8.29 the other plan's sent thee nied product to mosiieston ontore where alterations wore careg out unt thoy could be incorperated at the star of the production tine, The Royal Air Force received elghty-soven 8.285, which they called *Weshingtons”, the rst reaching England in Maren 1950, The sreraft served with eight aquacrens = this one, WWa88, was passed to te ‘ustalians In September 1952 for tral. [Frank Smith) 8-288 in storage at Davis Monthan, While many are newer sicralt, one i 42-6265, a 8-28-5-BW which the ‘btn Group name Falcon Nalcun, nd which tok part in he frat 8-29 miasion ofthe waren June > Tote iusae)yj PIONEER ISBN o.49747-03035