Parade Ground Aircraft
A7 A10 B17 B24 B25 B26 B29 C45 C47 C118 C119 C121
C123 F15 F16 F82 P38 P47 P51 P63 SR71 T6 T28 T34
Other USAF Aircraft
Bombers
B1 B2 B45 B47 B50 B52 B58 F111 - - - -
Cargo, VIP, & Tanker
C5 C17 C21 C24 C46 C97 C130 C133 C140 C141 KC10 KC135
Experimental & Prototype
D558 F107 X1 X2 X3 X4 X5 X15 XB70 YC14 - -
Fighters
A1 F4 F5 F22 F84 F84F F86 F86D F100 F101 F102 F104
F105 F106 F117 P40 P80 - - - - - - -
Helicopters
CH3E CH21 CH54A H5A HH43 MH60 R4B R6A UH1P UH13 UH19 V22
Reconnaissance
E3 O1G OV2 OV10 RF4 RF101 U2 - - - - -
Trainers
T6A T33 T37 T38 T41 - - - - - - -

Boeing B-29 Super Fortress

The B-29 heavy bombardment type aircraft has been designed for long distance, high altitude operation and utilizes the favorable flying conditions afforded by sub-stratosphere flight. Pressurized cabins, in addition to standard oxygen equipment, and use of two turbo superchargers on each of its four engines, enable the airplane to fly at a service ceiling in excess of 40,000 feet. The four 18-cylinder Wright Model R-3350-23 engines develop 2200 horsepower each, giving the airplane a total of 8800 horsepower. The long, narrow wing of the mid-wing bomber is mounted a short distance forward of the center of the fuselage. When the airplane is loaded to its normal gross weight of 105,000 pounds, the wing loading is 61.4 pounds per square foot. For support on the ground, the B-29 depends upon electrically-retractable, tricycle type alighting gear. The main gears are drawn into the inboard engine nacelles, and the nose gear into a housing beneath the forward pressurized compartment.

The airplane rolls entirely on dual wheels equipped with dual brakes. An electrically-operated, fully retractable tail skid also is provided to prevent damage to the rear of the airplane and to absorb shock in tail-down take-offs and landings. The airplane carries a 10-ton bomb load and has for defensive armament 10 caliber .50 machine guns and one 20 mm cannon. The machine guns are housed in five power turrets, the cannon protruding from the tail turret. All turrets are actuated electrically and are remotely controlled from sighting stations within the pressurized cabins. Fuel tanks in the wing provide an overall normal capacity of 5608 U.S. gallons (4669 Imperial). However, the capacity may be increased to a maximum of 9501 U.S. gallons (7912 Imperial) by the installation of auxiliary wing and bomb bay tanks.

SPECIFICATIONS Span: 141 ft. 3 in. Length: 99 ft. 0 in. Height: 27 ft. 9 in. Weight: 133,500 lbs. max. 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. ea. Cost: $639,000

PERFORMANCE Maximum speed: 357 mph. Cruising speed: 220 mph. Range: 3,700 miles Service Ceiling: 33,600 ft.

.....

One of the only B29s still flying, FiFi with the Confederate Air Force

(first engine in the B-29) The Wright R-3350 turbo compound deserves an honorable mention for several reasons; it was the first and only turbo compounded piston engine to enter production, and it powered most of the long-range commercial airliners of the 1950s before the ushering in of jet-powered aircraft.

The most massive piston aircraft engine ever made was the 2nd engine used in the B29

The R-4360 Wasp Major

A Corkscrew Design - A Pratt & Whitney - 4360 cubic inch - 28 cylinders - 7 rows of 4 cylinders - 4,300 Horse Power

The last of the large piston engine developments before jets took over.

 

Parade Ground Aircraft
A7 A10 B17 B24 B25 B26 B29 C45 C47 C118 C119 C121
C123 F15 F16 F82 P38 P47 P51 P63 SR71 T6 T28 T34
Other USAF Aircraft
Bombers
B1 B2 B45 B47 B50 B52 B58 F111 - - - -
Cargo, VIP, & Tanker
C5 C17 C21 C24 C46 C97 C130 C133 C140 C141 KC10 KC135
Experimental & Prototype
D558 F107 X1 X2 X3 X4 X5 X15 XB70 YC14 - -
Fighters
A1 F4 F5 F22 F84 F84F F86 F86D F100 F101 F102 F104
F105 F106 F117 P40 P80 - - - - - - -
Helicopters
CH3E CH21 CH54A H5A HH43 MH60 R4B R6A UH1P UH13 UH19 V22
Reconnaissance
E3 O1G OV2 OV10 RF4 RF101 U2 - - - - -
Trainers
T6A T33 T37 T38 T41 - - - - - - -