B-29 training ship - comments ?
Sat Oct 07, 2006 5:23 am
Hi
three shots of a B-29 training ship 42-6371 [reclamation completed Clovis Nov 20, 1946] taken 1944
slightly soft focus - markings K-90 on the fuselage - can anyone shed light into the home-base ?
Martin
three shots of a B-29 training ship 42-6371 [reclamation completed Clovis Nov 20, 1946] taken 1944
slightly soft focus - markings K-90 on the fuselage - can anyone shed light into the home-base ?
Martin
Training B-29
Sat Oct 07, 2006 9:09 am
Hi,
If I were to guess, this B-29 was probably assigned to Amarillo Army Air Field as a mechanic trainer. The early 58th B.W. aircraft were declared war-weary and sent back to the CONUS as newer aircraft became available. The variety of aircraft in front of the '29 in the third photo seems to suggest a maintenance training apron. Another possibility is Dalhart or Pyote, Texas, both bases being flight crew training fields in the B-29 training program. Quite a number of these early production aircraft returned to the States and were used in all training programs within the Second Air Force.
The "K-90" designator is the number assigned to this aircraft during the "Battle of Kansas", the intense modification program undertaken in March of '44 to ready the first 175 58th Bombardment Wing Superforts for combat.
Hope this helps, and thanks for sharing the photos!
Scott
If I were to guess, this B-29 was probably assigned to Amarillo Army Air Field as a mechanic trainer. The early 58th B.W. aircraft were declared war-weary and sent back to the CONUS as newer aircraft became available. The variety of aircraft in front of the '29 in the third photo seems to suggest a maintenance training apron. Another possibility is Dalhart or Pyote, Texas, both bases being flight crew training fields in the B-29 training program. Quite a number of these early production aircraft returned to the States and were used in all training programs within the Second Air Force.
The "K-90" designator is the number assigned to this aircraft during the "Battle of Kansas", the intense modification program undertaken in March of '44 to ready the first 175 58th Bombardment Wing Superforts for combat.
Hope this helps, and thanks for sharing the photos!
Scott
Wed Oct 11, 2006 6:46 pm
Robert A. Mann's book "The B-29 Superfortress A Comprehensive Registry of the Planes and Their Missions" shows 42-6371 as delivered on 2/26/44 and assigned to the 234 BU. The comments show "Class 01Z Clovis."
The listing I have of the AAFBU (Army Air Force Base Units) from May 1945, shows the 234th at Clovis NM.
The listing I have of the AAFBU (Army Air Force Base Units) from May 1945, shows the 234th at Clovis NM.
Thu Oct 12, 2006 12:40 am
Good sleuthing Larry!
I forgot about Clovis- it's just as desolate there as west Texas isn't it!
Scott
I forgot about Clovis- it's just as desolate there as west Texas isn't it!
Scott