Tag: Heavy Bomber

Boeing B-52 Stratofortress Bomber

B-52 Inflight #2B-52  STRATOFORTRESS BOMBER

INTRODUCTION

The B-52 nicknamed “Stratofortress”  is a long-ranged, jet-powered (8/Pratt & Whitney TF33-P-3/103 turbofans) subsonic bomber.  It was developed   The B-52 design started in 1946 through a contract from the USAAF to the Boeing Company.

The maiden flight was in April 1952.  Unlike the ill-fated Titanic that made its maiden voyage in April, the B-52 was a success on its first flight.   The B-52 went into service with the USAF in February 1955 and is still in service today

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Convair B-36 Peacemaker

B-36 #2

INTRODUCTION

The Convair B-36 Peacemaker first flew in August 1946.  Convair produced 384 of the aircraft.  The B-36 was intended to be a stopgap between the B-29 Superfortress until the all-jet B-47 came into service in 1951 and in 1955 the Boeing B-52.

The design plans began as early as 1941, prior to the Pearl Harbor attack in Hawaii.  There was serious thought that England might fall to the Nazi “Blitz” and the U.S. military felt that it would be imperative to have a long-range bomber to hit Germany from the United States should Britain fall.

Due to so many higher priorities during the war amongst the services, that the B-36 was not ordered until 23 July 1943.  Where 100 aircraft were purchased at $4.1 million.      Continue reading “Convair B-36 Peacemaker”

Boeing B-29 Superfortress

Pima Air and Space Museum Tucson Arizona

 Introduction

The Boeing B-29 Superfortress is a 4 engine propeller driven bomber  in World War II.  It was one of the largest aircraft and most advanced in the War.  It featured a pressurized cabin, tricycle landing gear, a remote electronic fire control system that controlled four machine gun turrets.

Although the B-29 was designed for high altitude strategic bombing, it was also used for low altitude incendiary bombing missions.  One of the final missions of World War II was to deliver the first used atomic bomb to Hiroshima and Nagasaki that ended the war.

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