Though only operational for about the last year of WWII, the B-29 was quite an accomplishment for the USAAF. Here was an aircraft classified as a very heavy bomber that was able to travel what was then a huge distance, drop a large number of bombs and return to base. Though the Germans knew about the plane and were concerned it would be used against them, the truth is that it was never going to be used in Europe as the other bombers in the inventory had that covered. The place that its range and payload were most needed were in the Pacific in the war against Japan.

The development of the aircraft and its engines was little short of amazing. It was an incredibly complex aircraft, full of new systems, and requiring the most powerful engines yet developed. There were a myriad of teething troubles with both the airframe, its systems and its engines, however, the need to get this aircraft into service were such that most of these issues were fairly quickly solved. One that wasn't so easy was the engine's propensity to catch fire. This was eventually mitigated, but not until after the war. The aircraft was also reverse engineered by the Soviets, based on some damaged planes that landed in Vladivostok. This enabled the USSR to have an aircraft to carry their atomic bomb. So closely was it copied, that the initial aircraft had the same battle damage patches on them. Even after the war was over, the USAF used them extensively in Korea and modified versions, the B-50, were used for years after.

In line with other books in this series, we are provided with the background and development of the aircraft along with a brief look at the various nations that have operated the type. Also part of this series is a modelers section. In this case it is fair extensive taking up half of the book. There are a variety of kits featured as well as a number of modelers. The four models featured are a lone Monogram 1/48 B-29 and three Academy 1/72 kits. These articles are mostly photos and not the more in depth articles that one is generally accustomed to seeing from other sources. However, I feel that their purpose is more to inspire and at that, they do their job well.

In all, it is a book well worth picking up. It reads well and has a lot of photos of the real deal along with the warbirds that are still flying, which is always nice.

July 2023

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