The Boeing B-29 was designed in 1940 as an eventual replacement for the B-17 and B-24. The first one built made its maiden flight on Sept. 21, 1942. In December 1943 it was decided not to use the B-29 in the European Theater, thereby permitting the airplane to be sent to the Pacific area where its great range made it particularly suited for the long over-water flight required to attack the Japanese homeland from bases in China. During the last two months of 1944, B-29s began operating against Japan from the islands of Saipan, Guam and Tinian.

With the advent of the conflict in Korea in June 1950, the B-29 was once again thrust into battle. For the next several years it was effectively used for attacking targets in North Korea.

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SPECIFICATIONS:

Span: 141 ft. 3 in.

Length: 99 ft.

Height: 27 ft. 9 in.

Weight: 133,500 lbs. maximum

Armament: Eight .50-cal. machine guns in remote controlled turrets plus two .50-cal. machine guns and one 20mm cannon in tail; 20,000 lbs. of bombs

Engines: Four Wright R-3350s of 2,200 hp each

Cost: $639,000

PERFORMANCE:

Maximum speed: 357 mph

Cruising speed: 220 mph

Range: 3,700 miles

Service ceiling: 33,600 ft.