B-29 in wartime Australia

[b29flteng]

Great detective work. I noticed it was a late model due to the short cowl flaps, and what looked like S4 on the aft entry door. The photo with 54 nailed it though.

[Second Air Force]

Yup, and she retained her turbo louver panels through 28 missions, too. I wonder how many of those ended up on the scrap dumps in the Marianas! I've got the serial number break somewhere when the short flaps were factory installed. Earlier combat birds got them (supposedly) after the benefits were confirmed by testing.

Second Air Force trainers were supposed to get the short cowl flap modification, and I have the T.O. number for it somewhere in the piles of stuff. I don't think they got modded unless they were sent to Topeka or other heavy maintenance fields, the training stations had enough trouble keeping flyable engines on them.

Scott

[Mark_Pilkington]

James,
while the AWM photo labelled "Parkes" have gum trees in the background, your photos from the RAAF Museum appear to have saw tooth buildings/hangars and beaufighters in the background, these are therefore likely to be taken at Laverton, Richmond, Fishermens' Bend or Mascot in my opinion. (the last two due to the Beaufighters in the background implying DAP production sites)

Regards

Mark Pilkington

Last edited by Mark_Pilkington on Mon Sep 01, 2008 8:02 pm, edited 1 time in total.

[David Eyre]

Many thanks Scott for your fantastic detective work!

I'll pass your information on to the State Library of Western Australia, and get them to update the caption.

Regards,

David

[b29flteng]

Without the turbo louvers the B-29 lost approximately 3 % range. The shorter cowl flaps were modded in the field and improved cooling by an unknown amount.

[the330thbg]

I always wondered what happened to some of our ships post-war. I knew this one did not fly back with the others.., now I know why. Thanks again and I am verifying the SN's on our aircraft as well. Most of the SN's came directly from the registration cards of the aircraft. I have official copies of most of our aircraft .., but will verify the difference between the '42' and '44'. There are a number that are definately '42-#####' but will look over twice.

Thanks again and nice JOB!!!!!!!!!!!!!
www.330th.org

Last edited by the330thbg on Fri Feb 13, 2009 9:34 am, edited 1 time in total.

[Second Air Force]

Welcome to posting on WIX!

We're glad we could help solve this little mystery for everyone involved.

I'm sending you a PM, 330thbg.
Scott

[the330thbg]

I was doing a websearch and found info on a Donald George Dubbins, a Pilot in the 330th's 458th BS, Aircraft: K-38 "Ernie Pyle". After peace came, they took a B-29, the 'Waltzing Matilda' with a crew of 12 to Australia for their Victory Bond Tour.

In 42 days, they visited 19 Australian cities including Hobart, Tasmania.


Here is the actual link, with a photo of the late Pilot, Mr. Dubbins.

http://www.lietz-frazefuneralhome.com/o ... wArchive=Y

[B29sms]

Cool stuff.

Nice job, fellas!

[CDF]

Few more from my collection

First Superfortress to land in Australia, Genie, arrived at Mascot New South Wales 1945

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LAC J.M. Dennehy (Bentleigh, Vic.) guarding the Superfortress "Thumper" Laverton 1945.

Not Australia but still a good pic

Reunited at Roswell Army Air Field, Master Sergeant Scotty Hall with his Australian wife and their son, Gary, inspect a B-29.

[B29sms]

Wow.., very nice pics!!!!!

Many thanks for posting!!!

Can you garner the SN off the first one.. "Genie".. looks like 42-63433?

Thanks again!