"Thumper" ...

[Mark Allen M]

... "This was to B-29's as "Memphis Belle" was to B-17's".

"Boeing B-29-40-BW (SN 42-24623) Superfortress “THUMPER”, of the 497th Bombardment Group.
It was the first B-29 to return home to the US after completing 40
missions, and went on a bond-selling tour.

Some interesting observations in the photo below:
-"Notice the ring of flat gray paint around the CFC Plexiglas dome. This served as anti-glare".
-"Notice the 'powder burns' under her top forward quad turret. As this was a 40 mission battle hardened veteran".
quotes: Sms_S


Boeing B-29-40-BW (SN 42-24623) Thumper at Boeing Plant No. 2 on Aug. 7, 1945. (U.S. Air Force photo)

Last edited by Mark Allen M on Fri Apr 15, 2016 9:45 am, edited 2 times in total.

[Mark Allen M]

"The small Japanese flags denote claimed kills of Japanese aircraft
from the gunners (note the six on one mission - 27th January 1945 to
Tokyo)".

The (even smaller) hearts next to the rabbits denote airmen wounded
aboard the aircraft on that mission".

[Mark Allen M]

This photo gives an idea of how heavy (or not so much) the turret covers were.

[Mark Allen M]

Saw these on an ebay sale listing.

[Mark Allen M]

"Boeing B-29 Superfortress “THUMPER”, of the 497th BG at the Boeing Plant No. 2 on Aug. 7, 1945
It was the first B-29 to return home to the US after completing 40 missions, and went on a bond-selling tour".
Interesting factory fresh black bottomed B-29's in this photo.

[Mark Allen M]

A good PDF read on "Thumper" here. Anyone have a problem open the PDF let me know and I'll post it.

http://prairiebombers.org/eng/Army-Air- ... per-A-B-29

[Mark Allen M]

"On August 5, 1945, they had an air show at Newark Airport, featuring Boeing B-29 Superfortress. “Thumper” of the 497th Bombardment Group, this was the first B-29 to return to the United States after completing its 40 missions over Japan, and was named after the rabbit in the 1932 Walt Disney film “Bambi.” The bomber had small Japanese flags painted on its fuselage, indicating enemy aircraft shot down by its gunners during forty missions over Japan. Reporters noted that crowds of New Jerseyans “lined up as far back as the highway to get a look at ‘Thumper.’” There were fifty other planes on display to the public at the show, including “a Canadian Jenny, a British Sopwith, a French Bleriot, a standard J-1 Trainer and a Wright “Pusher” built in 1909.”

[Mark Allen M]

B-29 'Thumper', rabbit from Disney movie Bambi, with her crew.

[Mark Allen M]

23-year-old 1st lieutenant Marshal J. Deutsch of Jamaica, New York, Thumper’s bombardier, reunited with his mother Mrs. Jeanne Deutsch under the nose of the plane at the Newark Airport August 1945 air show.

[APG85]

Great pictures...! Its a shame that plane wasn't saved...

[Fouga23]

What happened to it?

[APG85]

What happened to it?

I have to assume it went to the scrapyard at some point. Does anyone have any details...?

I also thought that the B-29 "Dauntless Dotty" was the first over Tokyo...

[Mark Allen M]

My understanding it was scrapped in the 50's.

[Pat Carry]

A fellow in my hometown who sold insurance flew in Thumper. He had a model of it hanging above his desk at his insurance agency