The B-29 Superfortress: A Comprehensive Registry of the Planes and Their Missions

The B-29 Superfortress was, for many years, one of the cornerstones of American military aviation. While it is best known as a bomber, it also served in military and weather reconnaissance, as a tanker, and as a rescue plane. The B-29 has a long and storied history, and was a crucial tool for American and Allied forces during World War II, Korea and beyond. This operational history of the B-29 gives in-depth information on the career of each plane. A brief introduction explains each section. There is a list of the names and serial numbers of the planes, each plane's history from delivery date to removal from service, a description of the B-29's physical characteristics and performance parameters, and a description of the five B-29 variants. Sections of the book give complete mission data for the B-29's World War II service in the China-Burma-India theater of operations, operations over Japan, aerial mining missions and test atomic bombing runs. Mission lists are provided detailing the B-29's service in Korea, and there is a list of B-29s loaned to the British Royal Air Force. A list of definitions, acronyms, and abbreviations for relative terms is included. An appendix provides a matrix reference system for determining full serial numbers from the last three digits, and there is a bibliography.

Robert A. Mann is a former member of the United States Air Force, and enjoyed a long career in the aerospace industry. He lives in Cookeville, Tennessee.