Boeing B-29 survivors

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Main article: B-29 Superfortress
B-29A 44-61669 " 49 Three Feathers "March Field Air Museum
B-29A 44-61669
" 49 Three Feathers "
March Field Air Museum

Boeing B-29 Survivors highlights the history of many well known flying and static display Boeing B-29s in the United States. A list is also provided of other B-29's on display around the world; including location, model and serial numbers, brief history, nicknames/markings, and conditions.

Contents

[edit] Background

In September 1945, immediately after the surrender of Japan, all contracts for further production of the B-29 were terminated after 3,970 aircraft (2,766 by Boeing Aircraft, 668 by Bell Aircraft and 536 by Glenn L. Martin Co.) were accepted by the USAAF. Uncompleted airframes at the Boeing Plant in Wichita Kansas plant were stripped of all Government Furnished Equipment and scrapped on the flightline.

A vast majority all of the B-29s were stored by a new process of cocooning, however, this process trapped heat and moisture resulting in numerous airframes being damaged by this process (primarily the avionics and instruments). Between 1946 and 1949, many early and high time combat veteran aircraft were sold or scrapped – none were released to civilian use.

While the B-29 was still considered useful in the post WWII inventory, the numerous problems with development, (i.e. including the freezing of the design in 1942) and the fear that the postwar congress would not fund the purchase of a design that still had significant quantity in storage, led to the radically redeveloped B-29D being redesignated the B-50A. While the B-50A looked similar to the B-29, Boeing had redeveloped the airframe with a new stronger alloy skin, redesigned main spar, taller vertical stabilizer and improved engine cowlings. Additionally, the engines were changed to the R-4360 which produced higher horsepower, had better cooling and were less prone to failure.

In 1947, with the advent of the USAF, the B-29 was redesignated as a medium bomber. With the new heavy bombers in production (B-36 and B-49) and the planned production of the both the B-47 and the XB-52 becoming a reality, the Superfortress was quickly starting to become eclipsed by technology. It was only the advent of the Korean War in 1950, which slowed down the retirement of the B-29. Once again, the Superfortress was pressed into combat; while the first 6 months the B-29 was able to hold its own, the introduction of Jet fighters (Mig-15s) proved the demise of this aircraft. The B-29 was too slow and the gunnery systems could not keep up/track the high-speed aircraft. By 1953, the remaining B-29s were withdrawn from combat (except for some RB-29s). The remaining B-29s in service were then redesignated as Training (TB-29) , Photo Recon (RB-29), Air-Sea Rescue (SB-29) and refueling/tanker (KB-29M) aircraft. The last USAAF flight was in September 1960.

The Royal Air Force as a stop-gap measure between the Lancaster and the new V-Bombers leased 88 aircraft in the early 1950s – redesigning them Washington Mk b.I’s. The Washingtons remained in service until late 1958 when they were retired and returned to the United States. Several Washingtons were given to Australia, but within one year they were retired and scrapped.

The B-29 did enjoy limited success post war as a flying testbed, being used with NACA to carry the early rocket aircraft (X-1, X-1A, D-558-2 etc…), prototype jet engine testing, electronic test ships, High Altitude Atmospheric tests, etc…

The majority of the surviving B-29 came from airframes that had either been designated (with the US Navy at NAS China Lake), initially, as target-tow aircraft, then unmanned target aircraft, finally as a ground target (the last B-29 destroyed was in 1981 more than 6 years after a ban had been placed on further using these aircraft as targets). Furthermore, B-29's were used at Aberdeen Proving Grounds as ground targets and survivability studies.

In 1966, the then fledgling Confederate Air Force, in their quest to gather an example of all the remaining WWII bombers attempted to track down a B-29. At this time, except for two noted museum aircraft, the B-29 was considered an almost extinct aircraft. Rumors of B-29s existing at Aberdeen revealed several airframes, but due to the closeness of ocean air, these aircraft were corroded close to the point of unrestorability. In 1970 came the discovery of the US Navy fleet of aircraft at NAS China Lake – these aircraft being used/stored in the desert air were in much better shape. After a year of negotiation, the CAF was able to obtain their B-29 (Fifi). These same negotiations also allowed the RAF to obtain an example as well (It’s Hawg Wild). During the early 1970s, NASA (the redesigned NACA) sold their P2B-1S and for numerous years this aircraft flew under civil registration until it was grounded by spar corrosion.

Since the early 1970, numerous aircraft have been removed from Aberdeen Proving Grounds as well as NAS China Lake for museum displays – the last B-29 removed is currently is being restored to flying condition (Doc). There are still two partial airframes and one wreck at the NAS China Lake site. Several other aircraft were noted as late as 1980 but these aircraft have disappeared (no trace of being scrapped) – several having possibly been used in the Disney Picture “Last Flight of Noah’s Ark” (which seriously damaged/destroyed numerous airframes) during production.

Additional aircraft have been discovered from both post-war crash sites and WWII Pacific airfields. At least four known B-29 wrecks on Guam and several on Saipan are know to exist. There is also a search on the way looking for the historic first B-29 to bomb Japan (Dauntless Dottie) which crashed on take-off during her return flight to the United States (included in these plans is the recovery and restoration of this aircraft).

[edit] Individual histories

B-29-45MO 44-27297 Bockscar USAF Museum
B-29-45MO 44-27297 Bockscar
USAF Museum
B-29-45MO 44-86292 Enola Gay NASM
B-29-45MO 44-86292
Enola Gay
NASM
  • Fifi (44-62070) Belonging to the Commemorative Air Force is the only airworthy B-29 in the world at present. Fifi has been grounded since 2006 because of problems with all four engines, but recent developments suggest that she will fly again. In a joint press release[1], dated 21 January, 2008, the Commemorative Air Force and the Cavanaugh Flight Museum, announced a pledge of $1.2M USD to re-engine FiFi. The pledge was made by Jim Cavanaugh, the founder of the Cavanaugh Flight Museum. As a result of the contribution, FiFi will be returned to flight status, and the B29/B24 Squadron of the CAF will relocate its base from Midland, Texas to the Addison Airport, at Addison, Texas (KADS). The B24 and the B29 will, for the six months of each year they are not on tour, be kept and maintained at Addison.
  • Haggerty's Hag (44-86408) Delivered to USAAF the day the Enola Gay dropped the first atomic weapon on Hiroshima, Japan. Later used to collect radioactive samples during postwar atomic tests, now on display at Hill Air Force Base Museum, Utah.
"Peachy" at Pueblo Museum
"Peachy" at Pueblo Museum
  • Peachy (44-62022) The Pueblo Weisbrod Aircraft Museum's is named in honor of all the crews who fought in the Pacific Theater. A B-29 by that name was piloted by a native of Pueblo, Lt. Robert T. Haver, who gave it his pet name for a younger sister. The original Peachy flew 35 combat missions into enemy territory from Tinian Island, central Pacific chain of the Mariana's. This aircraft was donated to the museum in 1976 by the Naval Air Weapons Station China Lake CA; and in 2005 it was moved indoors.
  • T-Square-54 (44-69729). No. 54 was assigned to the 875th Bomb Squadron, 498th Bomb Group, 73rd Bomb Wing and completed thirty-seven bombing missions. Converted to KB-29 (aerial refueling tanker) in June 1949. In 1986 it was extracted out of the Naval Air Weapons Station China Lake and transported to Lowry AFB's Lowry Heritage Museum (LHM);[1] now Wings Over the Rockies Air and Space Museum. It went through its initial level of restoration in 1987 with LHM's volunteers and was readied for its rebirth and rededication of Lowry AFB's 50th anniversary, 2 October 1987. It was restored to its 1944 markings with the "T Square 54" on its vertical stabilizer. In 1995 the USAF Museum transferred T-Sq-54 to the Museum of Flight in Seattle, Washington. After another level of restoration and change in its markings, it was displayed again 1996.
  • (44-70113) Flew with the 73rd Bomb Wing 20th Air Force. Decommissioned in 1956 and stored until the Marietta B29 Association sponsored restoration in 1994. Now on display at Dobbins AFB, Georgia.

[edit] B-29 Survivors


Each line describes one remaining complete or partial airframe. Each line is broken down into several sections:

Aircraft number History Markings Holder Location Condition
* B-29-80BW 44-70113 ex-20th AF/73rd BW/500th BG/883rd BS
“Z 58 Sweet Eloise” 27 combat missions
ex-Aberdeen Proving Grounds		 Z 58
Sweet Eloise		 Lockheed Factory Marietta, GA (D)
  • Aircraft Number describes the type of aircraft and model B-29-80BW c/n & s/n 44-70113
    and current registration (none).
  • History tells the military history (oldest to newest):
ex-20th AF/73rd BW/500th BG/ 883rd BS “Z 58 Sweet Eloise” 27 combat missions.
ex-Aberdeen Proving Grounds
  • Markings deals with current markings, codes first then name: Z 58 Sweet Eloise "
  • Holder is current owner or museum: Lockheed Factory
  • Location deals with either location where it might be seen or owners address: Marietta, Georgia
  • Condition:
(A) = Airworthy
(D) = Display
(R) = Under restoration
(S) = Stored
(W) = Wreck
(U)= Unknown Location
  • If Latitude & Longitude points are given, aircraft is on permanent outside display and can be seen using Google maps
(N33 55' 14.13" W84 30' 16.19")


[edit] B-29 BW Boeing-Wichita

  • B-29-50BW c/n 4452 42-24791, ex-NAS China Lake " The Big Time Operator ", Museum of Flight, Seattle, WA (S) [2]note: nose section only
  • B-29-60BW c/n 10561 44-69729, ex-20th AF/73rd BW/498th BG/875th BS "Square-T 54" – 37 combat missions, ex-KB-29, ex-NAS China Lake, " Square-T 54 ", Seattle Museum Of Flight, Seattle, WA (D) [3][4] (N47 31' 01.54" W122 17' 42.26")
  • B-29-70BW c/n 10789 44-69957, ex-SB-29, NAS China Lake, CA (W) (N35 54'08.74" W117 43'26.17") note: Parts from nose section used in restoration of B-29 44-69972 "Doc"
  • B-29-70BW c/n 10804 44-69972 (N69972C), ex-20th AF, ex-TB-29, ex-4713th REF (ADC)/1st RCS "Doc", ex-4750th ADW/17th TTS, ex-NAS China Lake " Doc ", Boeing Aircraft Company, Wichita, KS (R) [5] [6]
  • B-29-75BW c/n 10848 44-70016 , ex-20th AF/330th BG/458th BS "Square-K 40 Sentimental Journey / Quaker City" - 31 combat missions, ex-4713th REEC Flight (SAC) "Dopey", " Square-K 40 Sentimental Journey / Quaker City ", Pima Air & Space Museum, Tucson, AZ (D) [7][8]
  • B-29-75BW c/n 10881 44-70049, ex-NAS China Lake, ex-Last Flight of Noahs Ark, Aero Trader (Kermit Weeks), Borrego Springs, CA (S)
  • B-29A-75BW c/n 44-70064, ex-NAS China Lake, "0-90351 Raz’n Hell ",Castle AFB Museum Castle AFB CA (D) [9][10] note: rebuilt using parts from tail section of B-29A-35-BN 44-61535 & outboard wings from B-29-50BA 44-84084 (N37 21' 54.76" W120 34' 42.89")
  • B-29-75BW c/n 10934 44-70102, ex-20th AF, ex-NAS China Lake, " Here’s Hopin ", China Lake NAS Museum, CA (D) (N35 40' 37.79" W117 40' 37.75")
  • B-29-80BW c/n 10945 44-70113, ex-20th AF/73rd BW/500th Bg/883rd BS "Miss Marilyn Gay/Sweet Eloise" - 27 Combat & 5 POW missions, ex-Aberdeen Proving Grounds, " Z-58 Sweet Eloise ", Marietta B-29 Association, Dobbins AFB, GA (D) [11][12][13] (N33 55' 14.13" W84 30' 16.19")
  • B-29-80BW c/n 12430 44-87627, ex-TB-29, ex-Aberdeen Proving Grounds, " BF-627 Bossier City ", 8th Air Force Museum, Barksdale AFB, LA (D) [14] (N32 30' 50.97" W93 40' 57.97")


  • B-29-95BW c/n 13463 45-21768 (N70887), ex-F-13, ex-46th PRS "Kee Bird" - 7 missions, KeeBird, Greenland, Denmark (W) [19] note: (wings & tail only)
  • B-29-95BW c/n 13681 45-21787 (N29KW), ex-P2B1S Bu 84029, ex-NACA 137 "Fertile Myrtle", ex-Right Stuff, " Fertile Myrtle ", (Nose section) Florida Air Museum Lakeland, Florida (D) (wings & fuselage) Aero Trader (Kermit Weeks), Borrego Springs CA (S) [20][21]

[edit] B-29 MO Martin-Omaha

  • B-29-25MO 42-65281, ex-20th AF/6th BG/24th BS "Circle R Miss America 62" -43 missions, ex-301st BG (SAC), ex-WB-29, 373rd RWS (MATS) & 53rd RWS (MATS), ex-510th CCTW, " Circle R 11 Miss America 62 ",Travis AFB, CA (D) [23] [24] (N38 16' 10.75" W121 55' 49.05")
  • B-29-25MO 42-65287, Aquadilla, Puerto Rico-Atlantic Ocean (W)
  • B-29-35MO 42-65401, ex-3rd AF, ex-Above and Beyond, ex-Wild Blue Yonder, ex-Enola Gay, "82 Enola Gay ", Stockton Field Aviation Museum, Stockton, CA (D) note: nose section only
  • B-29-40MO 44-27297, ex-Silverplate, ex-20th AF/313rd BW/509th CG/393rd BS "Triangle N 77 Bockscar" - 5 combat missions, " Circle <- 77 Bockscar ", WPAFB Museum, Dayton, OH (D) [25]
  • B-29-40MO 44-27343, ex-F-13A, ex-513RWS, ex-57 SRW, ex-TB-29,ex-Aberdeen Proving Grounds, " Tinker’s Heritage ",Tinker AFB, Oklahoma City, OK (D) [26] (N35 25' 59.83" W97 24' 14.82)
  • B-29-45MO 44-86292 ex-Silverplate, ex-20th AF/313rd BW/509th CG/393rd BS "Circle-R 92 Enola Gay" " - 3 combat missions, " Circle-R 92 Enola Gay ", NASM, VA (D) [27]
  • B-29-55MO 44-86408, ex-43rd BG (SAC) & 9th BW (SAC), ex-Dugway Proving Ground, " Haggerty's Hag ", Hill Aerospace Museum, Hill AFB, UT (D) [28] (N41 09' 38.60" W112 01' 08.85")

[edit] B-29A BN Boeing-Renton

B-29A-40BN 44-61669 Z49 March Field Air Museum.
B-29A-40BN 44-61669
Z49
March Field Air Museum.
  • B-29A-10BN c/n 7287 42-93880, ex-F-13A, "The Dutchess", NAS China Lake, CA (U)
  • B-29A-15BN c/n 7374 42-93967, ex-F-13A 5th AF/314th BW/19th BG/28th BS "City of Lansford" - 12 combat missions, ex-RB-29A, ex-Aberdeen Proving Grounds, " City of Lansford ", Georgia Veterans Memorial State Park, Cordelle, GA (D) [29][30]
  • B-29A-40BN c/n 11146 44-61669 (N3299F), ex-20th AF/73rd BW/500th BG/883rd BS "Z 49 Flagship 500" -11 combat missions, 581st ARG (SAC), ex-NAS China Lake, " Z 49 Three Feathers ", March AFB, Riverside, CA (D) [31][32] (N33 52' 56.54" W117 15' 56.55")
  • B-29A-40BN c/n 11148 44-61671, ex-SB-29A, ex-Aberdeen Proving Grounds, " 89 The Great Artiste ", Whitman AFB, Knob Noster, MO (D) (N38 44' 13.36" W93 34' 32.59")
  • B-29A-45BN c/n 11216 44-61739, ex-Aberdeen Proving Grounds, Robins AFB, GA (D) [33]
  • B-29A-45BN c/n 11225 44-61748 (G-BHDK), ex-309th BG (FEAF) "It's Hawg Wild" - 105 combat missions, ex-TB-29A, ex-4750 ADW, ex-NAS China Lake, " Square-Y 748 It's Hawg Wild ", Duxford, England (D) [34][35]
B-29A-40BN 44-61671 The Great Artiste Whiteman Air Force Base
B-29A-40BN 44-61671
The Great Artiste
Whiteman Air Force Base
  • B-29A-55BN c/n 11434 44-61957, NAS China Lake, CA (U)
  • B-29A-55BN c/n 11452 44-61975, ex-TB-29A, ex- RAF Molesworth, ex-Aberdeen Proving Grounds, " Triangle-I 55 Jack’s Hack ", New England Air Museum, Windsor Locks, CT (D) [36][37][38] note: tail assembly from B-29A-45BN 44-61739 / note: Vert. Stabilizer exchanged with Doc
  • B-29A-55BN c/n 11469 44-61992, NAS China Lake, CA (U)
  • B-29A-60BN c/n 11532 44-62055, NAS China Lake, CA (U)
  • B-29A-60BN c/n 11547 44-62070 (N529B), ex-310th BW (SAC), ex-TB-29A, ex-NAS China Lake, "Square-A Fifi ", Commemorative Air Force, Midland, TX (R) [39]
  • B-29A-60BN c/n 11565 44-62088, NAS China Lake, CA (S)
  • B-29A-65BN c/n 11589 44-62112, Pima County air Museum, Tucson, AZ (S) Note: fwd fuselage only, - Disney Studios (S)note: rear fuselage
  • B-29A-65BN c/n 11611 44-62134, NAS China Lake, CA (W) (N35 31'28.13" W117°10'13.17")
  • B-29A-65BN c/n 11616 44-62139, ex-20th AF/19th BG, " Command Decision ", USAFM, Dayton, OH, (D) [40] note: fwd Fuselage only
  • B-29A-70BN c/n 11691 44-62214, ex-KB-29P, ex-58th WRS, " Lady of the Lake ", Eielson AFB, AK (W) (N64 42' 11.20" W147 07' 37.11")
  • B-29A-70BN c/n 11697 44-62220, ex-Aberdeen Proving Grounds, " Square-T 5 Joltin Josie the Pacific Pioneer ", USAF History & Traditions Museum Lackland AFB, San Antonio TX (D) [41] (N29 23' 22.83" W98 37' 09.95")
  • B-29A-70BN c/n 11699 44-62222, (fwd fuselage only) Pima County Air Museum, Tucson, Arizona (S), (Rear fuselage Disney Studios, Orando, FL (S)

[edit] B-29B BA Bell-Atlanta

  • B-29B-60BA 44-84084, ex-SB-29, ex-NAS China Lake, ex-Last Flight of Noah's Ark, Aero Trader (Kermit Weeks), Borrego Springs, CA (S) note: wings used on 44-61535

[edit] References

  1. ^ T.Mathewson: T-Square Retrieved from China Lakes Naval Weapons Range
  2. ^ 42-24791 (John Weeks Page)
  3. ^ 44-69729 (John Weeks Collection)
  4. ^ 44-69729
  5. ^ 44-69972 Doc (John Weeks Page)
  6. ^ 44-69972 Doc
  7. ^ 44-70016 Sentimental Journey (Aviation Photos)
  8. ^ 44-70017 Sentimental Journey (440th BG Web site)
  9. ^ 44-70064 Raz'n Hell (Aviation Photos)
  10. ^ 44-61535 Taz'n Hell (19th BG Web Site)
  11. ^ 44-70113 Sweet Eloise (Aviation Photos)
  12. ^ 44-70113 Sweet Eliose
  13. ^ 44-70113 Sweet Eliose
  14. ^ 44-87627 (Walkaround)
  15. ^ 44-87779 Legal Eagle II (Aviation Photos)
  16. ^ 44-87779 Legal Eagle II (John Weeks Page)
  17. ^ 45-21748 (airliners photo)
  18. ^ 45-21748 (John Weeks Page)
  19. ^ 45-21768 Kee Bird (Aviation Photos)
  20. ^ 45-21887 Fertile Myrtle (John Weeks Page)
  21. ^ 45-21787 Fertile Myrtle
  22. ^ 45-21847
  23. ^ 42-65281 Miss America 62(airliners photos)
  24. ^ 42-65281 Miss America 62
  25. ^ 44-27297 Bockscar (airliners photo's)
  26. ^ 44-27343 Tinkers Heritage (airliners photo's)
  27. ^ 44-86292 Enola Gay (airliners photo's)
  28. ^ 44-86408 Haggerty's Hag (airliners photo's)
  29. ^ 42-93967 City of Lansford (Aviation Photos)
  30. ^ 42-93967 City of Lansford
  31. ^ 44-61669 Flagship 500 (Airliners Photos)
  32. ^ 44-61669 Flagship 500 (John Weeks Page)
  33. ^ 44-61739 (airliners photo)
  34. ^ 44-61748 It's Hawg Wild (airliners Photo)
  35. ^ 44-61748 It's Hawg Wild
  36. ^ 44-61975 Jack's Hack (Airliners Photos)
  37. ^ 44-61975 Jack's Hack (History)
  38. ^ 44-61975 Jack's Hack (Restoration)
  39. ^ 44-62070 Fifi (Airliners Photos)
  40. ^ 44-62139 Command Decision (John Weeks Collection)
  41. ^ 44-62220 Joltin Josie the Pacific Pioneer (Airliners Photos)
  42. ^ 44-84053 Big Red (Airliners Photos)
  43. ^ 44-84076 Man O War (airliners photo)

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