The Boeing B-29 Superfortress is so much more than a mere heavy bomber. It’s a wartime icon and a piece of machinery that helped create history. Aside from its massive appearance and how it helped end World War II, there is a wealth of unexpected stories, technical quirks, and lesser-known facts about the B-29. Here are ten of the most interesting, unusual facts about this famous aircraft.
A Post-War Science and Nuclear Testing Workhorse
After its combat mission was over, the B-29 didn’t just quietly retire. It assumed significant scientific work, particularly during the early years of the nuclear age. The bomber was utilized to release test atomic bombs during nuclear tests at Bikini Atoll and as a flying laboratory to monitor and quantify nuclear explosions. Others were equipped for weather studies, flying directly into storms to gather vital information. It was this flexibility that demonstrated just how strong and versatile the B-29’s design was.
A Toilet With a View
Long flights across the vast Pacific Ocean meant crew comfort was a priority. The B-29 featured a pressurized toilet, which was a rare luxury at the time. What made it even more unusual was a built-in periscope, so crew members could look outside while using the restroom. It’s a quirky detail that reflects the engineers’ dedication to making the B-29 a true long-range workhorse.
Tokyo’s Devastating Firebombing
Though the B-29 is best known for delivering atomic bombs, it was also instrumental in the catastrophic firebombing of Tokyo. On March 9, 1945, more than 300 B-29s dropped about 1,700 tons of incendiary bombs, igniting a huge firestorm that consumed over 40 square kilometers and claimed nearly 100,000 lives. These “carpet bombing” strikes were intended to crush Japan’s war production by sheer destruction, demonstrating the bomber’s staggering payload and reach.
The Soviet Copycat: The Tu-4
Three B-29s in 1944 made forced landings in the Soviet Union following missions in Japan. Rather than returning the aircraft, Soviet engineers went to great lengths to reverse-engineer the bomber, producing the Tupolev Tu-4—a virtually identical plane, save for Soviet-produced radios and armaments. The Tu-4 was the USSR’s first true strategic bomber, entering service in 1949 and altering the early Cold War equilibrium. This incident serves to illustrate just how sophisticated and coveted the technology of the B-29 was at the time.
High Altitude Flights and Tactical Changes
The B-29 could fly as high as 9,700 meters, out of range of many Japanese fighters at the start of the war. With robust defenses and speed, it was difficult to shoot down. But as the war progressed, the US Army Air Forces started adopting low-level night attacks, employing incendiary bombs to try and achieve maximum destruction, abandoning altitude superiority for firepower. This change is indicative of the aircraft’s versatility as well as the adaptation of strategic bombing.
The Only Bomber to Deliver Nuclear Weapons in Combat
The B-29 occupies a peculiar and contentious position in the history books as the sole aircraft to deploy nuclear bombs in warfare. On August 6, 1945, the Enola Gay released “Little Boy” on Hiroshima, and three days later, Bockscar released “Fat Man” over Nagasaki. Both aircraft were modified specifically to accommodate these enormous payloads, with turrets stripped and strengthened bomb bays. These missions not only brought the war to a close but also opened the nuclear era.
The Most Expensive World War II Project
The B-29 project had a price tag of approximately $3 billion—more than even the Manhattan Project. This massive outlay supported three specialized factories, tens of thousands of employees, and innovative technologies such as pressurized cabins and automated gun turrets. The magnitude of the effort demonstrates just how vital the B-29 was to America’s Pacific strategy.
Thunderous But Flawed Engines
With four Wright R-3350 Duplex-Cyclone engines providing 2,200 horsepower apiece, the B-29 was a monster to fly, with great range and carrying capacity. The engines, though, were famously finicky, given to overheating and even fire in mid-air, particularly on takeoff. Testing at one time indicated that up to one out of every four engines might catch fire in flight. Heavy maintenance alleviated the issue somewhat, but it was never completely eradicated throughout the war.
The First Analog Computer-Guided Gun System
The B-29 was the first production bomber to employ analog computers in remote turret firing and aiming. Its Central Fire Control System allowed for multiple turrets to be controlled from within pressurized compartments by gunners using optical sights linked to electromechanical computers. The system automatically compensated for ballistics, range, and lead, greatly enhancing defensive accuracy. It provided the bomber with a substantial advantage over attacking enemy fighters and foreshadowed automation in contemporary aircraft.
Pressurized Crew Compartment and the Renowned Crawl Tunnel
The B-29 was the first pressurized cabin American bomber, enabling crews to work at high altitudes with comfort. However, the bomb bay was not pressurized. Engineers created a crawl tunnel of limited space to connect the front and rear crew compartment spaces by hanging it above the bomb bay. Crews were forced to crawl through this passageway to transfer between compartments—a good, pragmatic solution that resolved comfort versus operational requirements.
The B-29 Superfortress was not merely an airplane—it was a technological giant leap for aviation, a testament to perseverance, and a legend whose influence continues to echo through the pages of military history.