B-29 Superfortress against Japan | The Story Of The WWII Bomber, And The Atomic Bomb | Documentary

The United States was against the Japanese empire in WWII. The story of the B-29 Superfortress and the Atomic Bomb. The second part is narrated by Gary Sinise.

This is a documentary on the history of the B-29 Superfortress and its crucial role in the devastating attacks on Japan during World War II. Join us as we delve into the stories, technical details, and strategic significance of this iconic aircraft and the events that unfolded during that tumultuous period in history.
We explore the operational history of the B-29, shedding light on its immense impact on the outcome of the war. Discover the awe-inspiring engineering feats that propelled this heavy bomber into the skies, along with the remarkable innovations that set it apart from its contemporaries.
Witness the challenges faced by the Allies as they sought to design and produce an aircraft capable of reaching deep into enemy territory with an unprecedented bomb load. Through detailed accounts and gripping archival footage, we will explore the B-29's long-range capabilities, including the revolutionary pressurized cabin, remote-controlled gun turrets, and the iconic bombing system that transformed the face of aerial warfare.
Prepare to be transported back in time as we recount the intense strategic bombing campaign against Japan. Experience the heart-pounding moments as B-29 squadrons embarked on perilous missions over the Pacific, facing fierce opposition from Japanese fighters and flak defenses. Learn about the courageous crews who risked their lives, enduring harsh conditions and demonstrating an unwavering determination to achieve their objectives.

Whether you are a history enthusiast, a military aviation aficionado, or simply curious about the events that shaped our world, our channel offers an immersive experience that combines educational content with compelling storytelling. Dive into the gripping narratives, stunning visuals, and expert analysis that will transport you to a pivotal time in human history.

The Boeing B-29 Superfortress is an American four-engined propeller-driven heavy bomber, designed by Boeing and flown primarily by the United States during World War II and the Korean War. Named in allusion to its predecessor, the B-17 Flying Fortress, the Superfortress was designed for high-altitude strategic bombing, but also excelled in low-altitude night incendiary bombing, and in dropping naval mines to blockade Japan. B-29s dropped the atomic bombs on Hiroshima and Nagasaki, the only aircraft ever to drop nuclear weapons in combat.

One of the largest aircraft of World War II, the B-29 was designed with state-of-the-art technology, which included a pressurized cabin, dual-wheeled tricycle landing gear, and an analog computer-controlled fire-control system that allowed one gunner and a fire-control officer to direct four remote machine gun turrets. The $3 billion cost of design and production (equivalent to $45 billion today), far exceeding the $1.9 billion cost of the Manhattan Project, made the B-29 program the most expensive of the war. The B-29 remained in service in various roles throughout the 1950s, being retired in the early 1960s after 3,970 had been built. A few were also used as flying television transmitters by the Stratovision company. The Royal Air Force flew the B-29 as Washington until 1954.

General characteristics

Crew: 11 (Pilot, Co-pilot, Bombardier, Flight Engineer, Navigator, Radio Operator, Radar Observer, Right Gunner, Left Gunner, Central Fire Control, Tail Gunner)
Length: 99 ft 0 in (30.18 m)
Wingspan: 141 ft 3 in (43.05 m)
Height: 27 ft 9 in (8.46 m)
Wing area: 1,736 sq ft (161.3 m2)
Aspect ratio: 11.5
Airfoil: root: Boeing 117 (22%); tip: Boeing 117 (9%)[97]
Zero-lift drag coefficient: 0.0241
Frontal area: 41.16 sq ft (3.824 m2)
Empty weight: 74,500 lb (33,793 kg)
Gross weight: 120,000 lb (54,431 kg)
Max takeoff weight: 133,500 lb (60,555 kg)
135,000 lb (61,000 kg) combat overload
Powerplant: 4 × Wright R-3350-23 Duplex-Cyclone 18-cylinder air-cooled turbosupercharged radial piston engines, 2,200 hp (1,600 kW) each
Propellers: 4-bladed constant-speed fully-feathering propellers, 16 ft 7 in (5.05 m) diameter
Performance

Maximum speed: 357 mph (575 km/h, 310 kn)
Cruise speed: 220 mph (350 km/h, 190 kn)
Stall speed: 105 mph (169 km/h, 91 kn)
Range: 3,250 mi (5,230 km, 2,820 nmi)
Ferry range: 5,600 mi (9,000 km, 4,900 nmi)
Service ceiling: 31,850 ft (9,710 m) [28]
Rate of climb: 900 ft/min (4.6 m/s)
Lift-to-drag: 16.8
Wing loading: 69.12 lb/sq ft (337.5 kg/m2)
Power/mass: 0.073 hp/lb (0.120 kW/kg)

#aviationhistory #aviation #b29

[petemasterplan]

My uncle Ron was the co-pilot of a B-29 in the Korean War. They flew out of Japan and were supposed to bomb industrial sites in North Korea. They were the first American planes to encounter MIG-15s. He told me that was a very rude awakening, they weren't prepared for anything like that. Mustangs were useless against them and they took heavy losses. They had to switch to night bombing because going against the jets during the day was suicidal.

He survived the war and is still healthy and alert at 96.

[richardsteele]

What a amazing journey this has been. I was fortunate enough to meet Duch Van Kirk. I shook his hand and thanked him for his sacrifice. It was a very humbling experience for me. Afterwards I found a chair and sat down. I was very emotional and I fought back tears. He was a gentleman who gave so much for our country. The whole crew did.

[todd]

After doing 78 missions over occupied France and Belgium as a Bombardier/ Navigator in a B-26 specializing in low level bombing tactics my father was rotated back to the States as an instructor in low level bombing for the B-29 Bombardiers. If not for the Atomic Bombs he would have been reassigned to head back into combat firebombing Japan .
My dad is 100 years old now and is and will always be my HERO !!

[dwmzmm]

My late uncle (on dad's side) was a tail gunner of a B-29 during the war in the Pacific Theater. I was too young (at the time) to know or understand the significance of his participation in this operation. I had a B-29 model airplane (either from Revell or Monogram) and recall in one of his visit to our house (my dad was serving one of several tours at Vietnam at the time) my uncle saw the model and pointed to the back of the model and said "here was where my station was."

[robertboomhower]

May this great generation of fighting men never be forgotten.

[jimfinlaw]

Very nice videos. Thankyou for sharing. Thanks to all the B-29 Superfortress crews in the Pacific. Because of them, my father missed the war in the Pacific by only two weeks. My father was a B-29 Superfortress pilot in command in June 1945 when he was stationed at MacDill Field in Tampa, Florida and by July he had his own assigned B-29 crew with orders to report for combat duty at North Field in Guam. My father loved flying the B-29 Superfortress even though he often referred to the engines as "Wrong Engines and Flame Throwers, " because of their tendency to catch on fire. The early Wright R-3350 Cyclone engines were redlined at 289 degres Celsius and on takeoff, it was not uncommon for the cylinder head temperatures to be reading well over 320 degrees Celsius. After the war, my father continued flying WB-29's for the USAF's Air Weather Service until 1956 when he transitioned to flying the Boeing B-52B Stratofortress as a co-pilot for SAC when he was stationed at Castle AFB in California. He retired from the service in 1957. My father strongly felt that Boeing had the Cadillacs of aircraft back then. Everytime we traveled by air, Dad would say "If its not a Boeing, you are not a going." He insisted we only fly with an air carrier that operated Boeing planes.

[beachbum]

My father is a WWII veteran. He fought with the 1st Infantry Division in Aachen Germany, the Hurtgen Forrest, and the Battle of the Bulge. He was even awarded a Silver Star in the Bulge. He is still going strong at 105 years old. When the war was over in Europe he came home to Philadelphia on leave. After his leave was over, he was supposed to report back for training for the invasion of Japan. Of course that never happened. He told me that if they had to invade Japan, he would never would have made it home. Much respect to all the B-29 crews.

[johngaither]

Dad was a B-29 crewman. Unlike the B-17 and B-24 few B-29 crewman had an affection for their airplane. It was rushed into action with serious operational deficiencies. Dad said the B-29 came much closer to killing him then the Japanese ever did. The cost of the plane prompted using it ASAP. The crews knew their safety was a secondary consideration.

[johnshields]

Incredible airplane and the crews who piloted them were a huge part of the victory of WW2. Thank you to all who served and who serve today.🙏🇺🇸

[Rooskovich]

My dad was in the Army Air Corp. and stationed on Tinian. He witnessed the Enola Gay take off and return from its historic mission.

[knioutom]

A GREAT STORY ABOUT A GREAT AIRCRAFT

[joeguzman]

My stepfather, s brother was a b29 crew member at the very end of the war . He used to mention that one of the biggest problems was electrical fires

[lawrencemay]

My Dad was a Turret Gunner. Was on notice to go to Saipan, but the orders were belayed on Japan’s Surrender.

[eastockerable]

I have known a B-29 pilot & he hated those engines with a passion! What he loved was flying C-54s in the Berlin airlift, RIP Doc.

[hollyhock]

My Dad was a 2nd lieutenant Navigator.
Got them hone without running out of gas...

[kzoo]

How many American airmen and soldiers’ lives were saved by the work of the B-29’s? Everything have two sides, depends on how you see it.

[danasmith]

The presentation narrated by Gary Sinise is by far away the most accurate account of this tragic episode of history. Most people don't realize that the consecutive droppings of the atom bombs were not the ultimate cause of Japan surrendering though it hastened it. In the end, a culture was saved as well of many thousands upon thousands of Americans.

[jjandrews]

My Science Teacher who taught me at both Jr. High then came to teach me and others when our class went to High School was a B29 Navigator in WWII. Best damn teacher I ever had.

[ericdixon]

My dad never went to war but was given a job, building airplanes for Douglass aircraft company. He never got over it, it was all he ever talked about. May god rest his soul.

[Ranger]

My grandfather Charles Doc. Dougherty was a flight engineer on Flak Ally Sally! Good pic of him and the rest of the 0:29 crew on Tinian circa 1944/45 if you google! Great man I miss him!