How did B-29 pressurization work?

[Stephan Wilkinson]

Two questions:

1/Garrett designed a pressurizaton system specifically for the B-29. Was it exhaust-driven? Bleed from the turbochargers? Some other mechanism?

2/Did the system have anything in common with the pressurization system for the earlier Model 307 Stratoliner? I assume not, since I think that system used electrically driven pumps.

[b29flteng]

Bleed air off of the inboard engines turbos. Each engine had two turbo-chargers. Two outlet valves were located in the aft gunner compartment just aft of the forward pressure bulkhead.

[Pogo]

Speaking of which, how does pressurization work ... period? For those of us who never had reason to even really think much about it before, can you (whoever) offer a brief explanation, or point to...

Oh wait, I just remembered a little thing called Google.

Funny how I've never really thought any more about it before. Thanks again SW - you have sure caused me to learn a lot over the years!

[Stephan Wilkinson]

Pogo, I think you're dissing me, though I could be wrong. The old "Google is your friend,but you're too stupid to use it" business.

Please be aware that I have done a considerable amount of Internet searching on this question, and I'm basically trying to find the answer to the question, "Did Boeing include Model 307 pressurization technology in the B-29?"
I'm doing this to ensure a reasonable level of accuracy in an article I'm writing for Aviation History Magazine, of which I'm a Contributing Editor. So far, I have been able to confirm that the B-29 used turbocharger-bleed pressurization, and that seems to rule out any commonality between Stratoliner and B-29 technology, since the Model 307 didn't have turbo engines. But just for the fun of it, I continue to search for confirmation.

Sorry if I've misinterpreted your message, but since I don't use those orange faces, I don't know what they mean.

[airnutz]

...but since I don't use those orange faces, I don't know what they mean.

Google is your fr...oh wait, probably inappropriate at this juncture.
Edit
I can't speak for Pogo, but I took it to mean he was thanking you for bringing up the question " ", means cool.

[Pogo]

Pogo, I think you're dissing me...

Oh no sir, no way, not at all. Very much to the contrary, I am a SW fan from way back, and I mean way back to the 70's when you were with Flying magazine. For one thing, I knew Gordon Baxter, and any friend of Bax is a friend of mine. He thought the world of you, and so do I.

airnutz is 101% correct: I meant to thank you for piquing my curiosity about a thing I'm surprised at myself for not having thought about before, and causing me to investigate just how pressurization in aircraft works. I stuck my foot in my mouth with thoughtless language, for which I certainly apologize.

[Stephan Wilkinson]

My apologies, Kurt!

[mike furline]

http://www.airpages.ru/eng/mn/b29_18.shtml

http://enu.kz/repository/2009/AIAA-2009-961.pdf Pressurization system starts on page 29 of the pdf.

[Stephan Wilkinson]

Many thanks, Mike. That Stratoliner document is just what I needed. I guess I should learn to go deeper into search results than just the first page ore two.

Interesting that the Model 307 did have turbocharged engines, just like the B-17. I was wrong in assuming that it didn't. And it's also interesting that it apparently never occurred to anybody at Boeing to use the turbos as a source of pressurizing air.

[airnutz]

Many thanks, Mike. That Stratoliner document is just what I needed. I guess I should learn to go deeper into search results than just the first page ore two.

Sometimes a tough go these days. 15 years ago, internet searches were a lot easier...results seemed more bountiful. Then the necessity of firewalls and pervasive commercialism have made things a chore at times. Full circle..."Google is your friend" has almost become a quaint sarcasm. The internet is still an awesome thing, but a library with constant commercial breaks and special passes sections...arrrghhhh!

[airnutz]

Pogo, I think you're dissing me...

airnutz is 101% correct: I meant to thank you for piquing my curiosity about a thing I'm surprised at myself for not having thought about before, and causing me to investigate just how pressurization in aircraft works.

Same thing happened to me a few weeks ago Kurt, someone asked "what was the black panel on the back of the Thunderstreak about"? A good question...B'god, let's find out...

[Stephan Wilkinson]

I got to sit in the cockpit of the Screech at the AF Museum when I was doing an article on it for Errand Space. Two big driveshafts running naked through the cockpit, alongside and slightly below (as I remember) the pilot's seat gave one pause. But I can't remember what the black panel was all about....

[airnutz]

...But I can't remember what the black panel was all about....

Ooops, sorry Stephan, it was a side query in the MAPS Museum thread. The panel is fiberglass or phenolic and it covers the rear radio bay and the antennae for the radio compass.

[Cherrybomber13]

Does Fifi or Doc utilize the pressurization system anymore? I'm guessing its a non issue since thy stay reasonably love altitude VFR these days.

[phil65]

No Turbo's = The pressurization system.

Phil