The B-29 Superfortress Chronology, 1934-1960 - by Robert A Mann (Paperback)

About the Book

The Boeing B-29 Superfortress lived an operational life of only 26 years, but what a life it was. One of the largest airplanes to see service during World War II, the "grand old lady" was the primary aircraft in the United States firebombing campaign against the Japanese empire, and two of the most famous B-29s, the Enola Gay and Bockscar, were responsible for dropping the atomic bombs at Hiroshima and Nagasaki. This book provides a chronology of the B-29 from the first feasibility studies and earliest designs in 1934 to the retirement of the last operational B-29 by the Air Force in 1960. While the timeline covers the conceptual, developmental, and operational history of the B-29, an introduction details basic information on the physical plane itself, including dimensions, specs, leading particulars, and operational usages. The book also includes a glossary and three appendices which provide a discussion of the general anatomy of a mission, a sample of operational voice or radio codes used in 1945, and an exhaustive (and entertaining) reference guide to aircraft names like the Ape Ship, Bait Me?, and Flying Lemon.

Book Synopsis

The Boeing B-29 Superfortress lived an operational life of only 26 years, but what a life it was.

The introduction to this book provides basic information on the physical plane: dimensions, specs, leading particulars and operational usages. Then an exhaustive day-by-day chronology of the B-29 is presented--from the earliest designs in 1934 through thousands of missions and aircraft events in World War II and Korea to the 1960 retirement of the last operational B-29.

The book also includes an extensive glossary and three appendices, which provide a discussion of the general anatomy of a mission, a sample of operational voice or radio codes used in 1945, and a guide to (very unofficial) aircraft names.

Review Quotes

"an excellent reference volume...essential for collections specializing in military history"-ARBA; "a staggering compendium of data, a great companion to The B-29 Superfortress: A Comprehensive Registry, and a terrific reference for anyone seriously interested in the big bombers"-Stone & Stone Second World War Books.

About the Author

Robert A. Mann is a former member of the United States Air Force, and enjoyed a long career in the aerospace industry. The author of five books, he lives in Pahrump, Nevada.