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B-29 combat veterans

Tue Nov 03, 2020 4:35 pm

This has probably been asked here before but what B-29's out there are combat veterans besides the 2 obvious ones (Dayton & Virginia)?

Re: B-29 combat veterans

Tue Nov 03, 2020 5:40 pm

Pat Carry wrote:This has probably been asked here before but what B-29's out there are combat veterans besides the 2 obvious ones (Dayton & Virginia)?


Pima's B-29 is a World War II combat vet.
James

Re: B-29 combat veterans

Tue Nov 03, 2020 6:26 pm

Enola Gay!

Re: B-29 combat veterans

Tue Nov 03, 2020 6:43 pm

Michel Lemieux wrote:Enola Gay!


I think that's the Virginia one... :wink:

Phil

Re: B-29 combat veterans

Tue Nov 03, 2020 7:27 pm

Pat, looks like this list does a decent job of listing the WWII and Korean vets:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_s ... fortresses

Re: B-29 combat veterans

Tue Nov 03, 2020 9:47 pm

Surprising how many combat vets survived.

Re: B-29 combat veterans

Wed Nov 04, 2020 9:10 am

17f wrote:Surprising how many combat vets survived.


Outside of Bockscar and the Enola Gay... which were planned to be preserved, its surprising that ANY survived. The majority of the rest of the airframes were pulled from china lake or aberdeen where they were being used as ground targets.

Even then, numerous airframes were cannabalized in order to enable the preservation of a few..

Re: B-29 combat veterans

Wed Nov 04, 2020 6:21 pm

Pretty sure these have combat history:

1. 42-65281 B-29-25-MO MISS AMERICA 62

2. 44-61669 B-29A-40-BN THREE FEATHERS

3. 44-61748 B-29A-45-BN IT'S HAWG WILD

4. 44-69729 B-29-60-BW T Square 54

5. 44-70016 B-29-75-BW SENTIMENTAL JOURNEY

6. 44-70113 B-29-80-BW SWEET ELOISE

Re: B-29 combat veterans

Fri Nov 06, 2020 10:32 am

Was Doc not a combat vet?

Re: B-29 combat veterans

Fri Nov 06, 2020 11:40 am

tulsaboy wrote:Was Doc not a combat vet?


Doc is not a known combat vet. Spent most of its career in less glamorous trainer and radar calibration ship roles.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Doc_(aircraft)

Re: B-29 combat veterans

Sat Nov 07, 2020 10:23 pm

I was told a story that when they went to China Lake to look at the recovery of B-29s, The one that was in the best condition was "DOC", The one with the most combat history was "Miss America 62". She few many missions and had two crews fly her during the war.
I'm a volunteer at Travis Museum where Miss America 62 is stored. It took about 7 years to get her to static display condition. SHe has everything installed from all the gun turrets to the coffee pot. She is one of the most complete B-29s. WE hope to bring her inside someday. If anyone wants to see her up close, you can contact me. DaveT

Re: B-29 combat veterans

Mon Nov 09, 2020 10:02 am

ALOHADAVE wrote:I was told a story that when they went to China Lake to look at the recovery of B-29s, The one that was in the best condition was "DOC", The one with the most combat history was "Miss America 62". She few many missions and had two crews fly her during the war.
I'm a volunteer at Travis Museum where Miss America 62 is stored. It took about 7 years to get her to static display condition. SHe has everything installed from all the gun turrets to the coffee pot. She is one of the most complete B-29s. WE hope to bring her inside someday. If anyone wants to see her up close, you can contact me. DaveT


I think that’s the story with FIFI when it was pulled out in 70 or 71. The CAF chose the airframe in the best condition. Doc was one of the last to be pulled out, most were gone by that point. Miss America ‘62 should be inside. Would love to see some pics of the inside with all the equipment.

Re: B-29 combat veterans

Mon Nov 09, 2020 10:05 am

APG85 wrote:Pretty sure these have combat history:

1. 42-65281 B-29-25-MO MISS AMERICA 62

2. 44-61669 B-29A-40-BN THREE FEATHERS

3. 44-61748 B-29A-45-BN IT'S HAWG WILD

4. 44-69729 B-29-60-BW T Square 54

5. 44-70016 B-29-75-BW SENTIMENTAL JOURNEY

6. 44-70113 B-29-80-BW SWEET ELOISE


I also believe Here’s Hopin also flew 25 missions from Tinian.
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