It is with humble pride that we inform you that we have as many ancient historical sites as Sigiriya and fascinating places in Sri Lanka that will delight your mind. Accordingly, I am happy to inform you that after you visit Sigiriya, it will also cover the various places in Sri Lanka that you can reach from Sigiriya. So, now let's go around Sri Lanka from Sigiriya
John gillquist, e-mail, 04.03.2021 02:32
Hey Chuck, probably crewed with you and Lt. Carr as a brand new A/2 class boom operator, Charlie Cook was my IBO. I went with the new 92ARS to Fairchild AFB and boomed on the new KC-135's. Ended up a T/SGT and discharged in August of 63. Moved back home to MPLS MN. and acquired all of pilot ratings up through the airline transport rating. Flew many different types of aircraft for the next 40 plus years, but mostly corporate jets and held chief pilot positions for large corporations. SO see what you and Lt. Carr did after crawling thru the tunnel to observe what you guys were doing to fly that great KB-29P airplane. Thank you, John Gillquist
Martin Coddington, e-mail, 27.02.2021 23:42
It is good to see that some ARS guys are still kicking and reported in but I was hoping to see more stories about their work. The KB-29 was he original aerial refueling workhorse of the USAF. I was an Air Traffic Controller at Malmstrom AFB in Great Falls, in 55, 56, 57, 58. We were home to the 407th ARS plus three F-84F squadrons, all of those were SAC units. We also had a FIS flying F-94Cs, an itinerant unit from the ADC.
From my perch, the obvious threat regarding the KBs was whether or not they would fly. They raced down the two miles of runway, were horsed off the ground and as soon as they cleared the highway sank back down into the Missouri River Valley where we couldn't see them for almost 10 miles. But once they got the speed and altitude, they seemed like they could do their job and came home at the end of the mission.
When KC-97s eventually replaced the KBs, they did a better job but just barely. Still a doggy performer.
Tom Teate, e-mail, 07.02.2018 00:44
My father, then Capt. Thomas L. Teate, was credited by the Pentagon for writing the first flight manual for the B-29. When the first B-29's rolled out of production and were headed to the training schools around the US, there was no "How-To"instructions nobody could fly them-- He wrote the manual that cross-trained the crews and got them ready for the Ferry Command to fly them out to Europe. The Pentagon sent him to each school to set up training programs--it saved the Air Force millions of dollars by keeping the crews from crashing the planes during training.. He also piloted the "Winged Victory" used for display for the War Bond effort to raise money. It was during one of these War Bond tours where the public could see the B-29 that he met Charles Lindburgh. Col. Lindburgh approached my father, as he was the plane captain, and asked him if he would take him up. My father called the Pentagon, got permission, got him a flight suit, put him in the right "seat" and taught Lindburgh how to "fly" the '29. They spent several hours in the air. My father, Col. Thomas L. Teate had his pilot's license when he was 16, in Jacksonville, Florida-- Lindburgh was his childhood Idol--it was something for him to give a "check Ride" to Lindy.
Charles D Kowalski, e-mail, 28.04.2015 23:39
I went through crew training at Randolph Field in 1954. I was an observer in the nose to start. Then I was a radio/ECM operator when our unit, the 582 Air Re-supply squadron flew to RAF Molesworth in England. We often flew 17 hour missions resulting in a lot of total hours in this aircraft. A great airplane.
Jim Dunigan jr., e-mail, 26.03.2015 02:31
My Dad, F/O James F. Dunigan was a B-29 Pilot in training at Roswell N.M. At the end of the WWII. He was also a Flight Engineer on the B-29. He was in the second class to be trained for delivery of the Atom Bomb. Just before he passed in Sept 2002, he told me that in the training group he was in that everybody in the cockpit of the B-29's they had were all pilots and qualified to fly it. He had been to Flight Engineering school at Colorado Springs where he got his observer wings and then went to Roswell to continue training. He kept all of his orders and flight logs in his B4 bag. I still have them along with his uniforms and flight suit. He also told me of one training flight where they had an engine fire on their B-29.
Pat Daily, e-mail, 11.02.2015 18:04
I was a Scanner on "Doc", TB-29J at Griffiss AFB in Rome, NY in 1954 through 1958. I have known for many years that "Doc" has been undergoing restoration at Wichita, KC. Simple question. Is "Doc" ever going to be restored to flying conditions? I dougt it. Msgt. Pat Daily USAF Ret.
CV Gregory, e-mail, 25.03.2014 03:11
I was a mechanic on B-29 s at yuma county airport 17th tow target sqd.in 1955 and 56. the main problem I remember was the fuel leaks. many a flight was aborted when the flight crew found a leaking injector fitting we finaly wised up and ran the engines up just before they got there.
Richard Burr, e-mail, 31.01.2014 03:11
I was a navigator w/ the 506th ARS @ Bergstrom AFB (1956-1957). Capt Buddy Hubbard was our A/C. Major Wallen was our Sqd. Commander. Great crew! Lifetime memories. Would love to hear from others w/ the 506th at that time.
Frank Ridout, e-mail, 08.07.2013 20:51
I was a Flight Engineer on KB-29's in the 506 Air Refueling Sqdn. I was stationed in Bangor,Me from Jan. 1954 until July 1955 when the 506th transferred to Bergstrom AFB Austen, TX Would like to hear from anyone who was in the 506ARS
Mark, e-mail, 20.09.2012 17:46
B-29
Βομβαρδιστικό βαρέως τύπου, τετρακινητήριο, ελικοφόρο, κατασκευασμένο από την Boeing για τις Ενωμένες Πολιτείες. Χρησιμοποιήθηκε σε στρατιωτικές επιχειρήσεις κυρίως κατά τον 2ο Παγκόσμιο Πόλεμο και τον Πόλεμο της Κορέας. Το όνομά Superfortress (υπέρ φρούριο) προήλθε από τον προκάτοχό του B-17 Flying Fortress και συνεχίστηκε και στα επόμενα μοντέλα βομβαρδιστικών της Boeing. Κατασκευάστηκαν περίπου 4.000 τέτοια βομβαρδιστικά στη περίοδο 1943 έως 1946, ενώ αποσύρθηκε οριστικά το 1960 To B-29 αν και προηγμένο τεχνολογικά και οπλικά για την εποχή του, συμμετείχε σχετικά λίγο σε αποστολές του 2ου Παγκοσμίου Πολέμου, καθώς η παραγωγή του ξεκίνησε το 1944, στο τέλος του πολέμου δηλαδή. Αποτέλεσε το βασικό βομβαρδιστικό των Αμερικανών στο τέλος του πολέμου και χρησιμοποιήθηκε κυρίως κατά της Ιαπωνίας. Ήταν επίσης το αεροπλάνο που μετέφερε και έριξε τις ατομικές βόμβες στο Ναγκασάκι και τη Χιροσίμα. Ήταν οπλισμένο με 12 πολυβόλα M2 Browning 0.5 ιντσών, από τα οποία, τα 10 ήταν τηλεχειριζόμενα και μπορούσε να μεταφέρει βόμβες μέγιστου βάρους 9 τόνων
I was stationed at Barksdale AFB from 1951 to 1954 and flew in a Kb29. We were refueling B-29's. Inflight refueling in the early stages of this learning curve was interesting to say the least. In 1952 we flew to England and were training over there from came back home to Barksddale in early 1953. I was a Radio Operator at the time.
Glenn Hickman, e-mail, 22.07.2012 03:06
Hi , Im looking to buy 2 B29 breathing oxygen bottles (stainless steel)if anyone can help It would be most appreciated. Regards Glenn
Roy Emberland, e-mail, 15.04.2012 08:49
I was a Tail Gunner on Capt.Sheppards crew flew 26 mission over North Korea from August '52 thru Febuary '53 with the 372 BS,307 Bw from Kadena AFB Okinawa.
Roy Emberland, e-mail, 15.04.2012 08:48
I was a Tail Gunner on Capt.Sheppards crew flew 26 mission over North Korea from August '52 thru Febuary '53 with the 372 BS,307 Bw from Kadena AFB Okinawa.
ronald costello, e-mail, 30.03.2012 17:49
I was a tailgunner on this aircraft in the korean war. Stationed at Yakoto AB in Japan 1952. Flew 27 missions over North Korea.
This aircraft not only is fantastic . But a beautiful piece of equipment. The only problem i saw with it was that it had no glide power. Drops like a rock. And loves oil leaks.
peter, e-mail, 21.02.2012 14:37
Has anyone seen a film " Last flight of Noah's Ark".The pilot ( Eliot Gould- I think ) starts the engines of his B29 from the flight engineers position, goes to the front and then takes off all by himself. Seems unlikley. Sometimes I think these guys at Disney just make stuff up. Terrible film. Some nice flying sequences though..
Kristine Olson Ringsrud, e-mail, 04.02.2012 21:42
My father Vern Floyd Olson was stationed at Yakota AB in Fussa Tokyo during the Korean war. I recently came across this excerpt in a letter he wrote home in December 1955, and would love to learn more about this incident. Dad never discussed his military service.
--- "Maybe you read in the paper or heard on the radio that we had a ship crack up. That was the third and we haven't had any peace yet, or they still don't know why it happened.
They took off at 0415 & found their gear wouldn't come up all the way and also wouldn't go back down. It was jammed right where it was at.
The ship was “Miss FuFu”, one of the 29s we picked up from Okinawa when we got here. It was part of my old team 706 who work on it. They were to transfer after the first of the year for testing and training.
Well, to get back, they knew then they would either have to crash land or bail out. They decided that two of them would bail out & the rest said they would ride her out.
We got on the radio and talked to them from 0715 till just before landing, going over check lists and what to throw out and figuring out how much item would take the weight of the aircraft down. Radio, radar, life rafts, guns, ammo, and etc. At 1:30 they had the ship down to 89,000 lbs (unintelligible) and brought her in.
I don't think I seen so many men pray so hard that the would get out OK & that the ship wouldn't catch fire. When Cpt West turned “final” to land, he called the tower & said “I have two green lights, one red & a prayer.” There are green and red lights which tell if a (unintelligible) is safe to land or not.
The two who jumped made it out OK. Also Cpt. Borton's chute didn't open and he was lucky it was a chest pack & he pulled it open by hand. Said he died a thousand deaths when he pulled the handle & nothing happened. Said all he could think of was to take it apart with his hands, maybe it would open before he hit the ground. He was lucky & it opened with little trouble after he started tearing on it.
They had quite a choke up over it down at 'chute re-pack. They ground every one until there chute went through re-pack. They brought parachutes in from all the boys around here to get the job done.
We had been flying like mad with getting all these aircraft test-hopped since the crash. They tore all the gears apart to see if they could find anything on the rest of the ships. We had been flying “specials”, “Bull Ropes” regular & then had typhoon Patsy come in on us and then this crash. This outfit is all in a mess yet from it. There have been more brass around hre since the crash than I seen in all the time I have been in."
If anyone could fill in any details or make any suggestions about how I could find additional information, I would be most grateful.
Chuck Hayes, e-mail, 28.01.2012 17:16
I flew as a flight engineer on the KB-29P model in the 506 ARS at Bergstrom AFB, TX from 1955 to 1957. Good aircraft and very forgiving. The only acft I ever experienced a flat pitch runaway prop on. The only crew member I can recall is the A/C, Lt. George L. Carr. Good pilot, no supervisory skills-a driver not a leader.
Mike Kelly, e-mail, 24.04.2011 05:29
My dad, Daniel Kelly, was working for Wright Aeronautical in Paterson NJ when the war started. he was subsequently set up as a Warrant Officer for security clearance and shipped to Wichita for the "Battle of Kansas" and the duration of the war. I grew up hearing all the stories about the numerous engine problems holding up production of reliable aircraft. He was always very proud of his involvement, and I still have all his notebooks and manuals.
Don Hallock, e-mail, 16.04.2011 04:14
I am happy to say that I flew 47 missions over North Korea and lived through it. 38 missions in 1951 with the 98th Bomb Gp 345th Bomb Sq as an 18 year old gunner and 9 more as a pilot with the 19th Bomb Group flying from Okinawa in 1953 as the war ended. The airplane was easy and fun to fly, the engines however were extremely unreliable. We had some scarely moments with engine failures. After being released from active duty, I spent the next 35 years flying with a major airline; during that time I had only two actual engine failures. Does anyone remember Captain Herbert A Charlsons crew from the 345th Bomb Sq. at Yokota Air base in late 1951. We flew 46-2106 "Miss Yankee Doodle" and 46-2253 "The Reluctant Dragon".
Ben Beekman, e-mail, 12.04.2011 22:02
Probably the biggest single problem that had to be solved with the B-29 was with the engines. The early Wright R-3350's had a tendency to overheat and throw exhaust valves resulting in engine fires. Various fixes were incorporated including cuffing the props to provide increased cooling air flow, installation of air cooling baffles within the nacelles, reducing the cowl flap lengths and increasing oil flow to the valves. Over time the overheating problem was solved, allowing hundreds of flight hours on an engine before removal and replacement. As an indication of the growing confidence in the aircraft, during 1944 the 20th Air Force carried out a successful bombing/mining attack on the Palembang, Sumatra, oil refinery facilities staging from Ceylon. The total round trip distance for one of the airplanes was reported as no less than 4,030 miles.
Ben Beekman, e-mail, 17.03.2011 03:21
Wm. Green, in his book "Famous Bombers of the Second World War" (Hanover House 1960), says the B-29's also flew 1,528 mining sorties around Japan in 1945. They dropped more than 12,000 mines by parachute, resulting in approximately 800,000 tons of Japanese shipping losses.
Robert Murphy (Bob), e-mail, 08.03.2011 18:20
CORRECTION: To my Comment...
The crew crashed on September4,1951
Robert Murphy (Bob), e-mail, 08.03.2011 06:51
This is kind of a follow-up on the comments by Carl Erickson's, that I too went through combat crew training, assigned as the tail gunner, at Randolph AFB in Texas and our B29 crew was sent to the 580th AR Wing (580th AR Squadron) at Mt Home AFB in Idaho. Unfortunately, in September,1953,the crew crashed while flying take-off and landings, with no surviors. Subsequently I was assigned to another crew and the unit was sent to Tripoli. Hey, we were the first of the 580th. There is an Association of the 580th, 581st and the 582 that is active now. If you are interest contact Carl H. Bernhardt, 424 Cedar Lane, Cheshire, Connecticut 06410. About the B29, I think that it was the smoothest flying airplane in the air, except for take-offs and landings....
David Earl, 14.02.2011 23:27
This plane is a beast. The biggest propeller driven plane ever in warfare, it pulled the fire bombings, the A bombs Fat Man and Little Boy. Heck, its more closely related to our current B-52's than the rather crappy B-17's at the time. One of my favorite planes ever.
Budd Hawk, e-mail, 24.01.2011 19:39
My dad(William R Hawk Jr.) was the navigator on B-29 44-87599 when it was picked up at Wichita and remained with its crew until he was discharged in 1945. I have pictures of it in it's original configuration and the crew taken in 1945 at Chatham Field,GA as well as a picture in the P2B-1S configuration after it was turned over to the Navy.I also have a copy of the complete history of the aircraft via the Individual Aircraft Record Card. I searched for over twenty years trying to determine it's fate but have not been successful.Theory is it ended its life at China Lake Any recent info on the aircraft would be appreciated. Such a beautiful bird!
Larry Noska, e-mail, 17.01.2011 19:10
I was station at China Lake Ca. 1962 to 1966. There were several B-29's parked in a grave yard for them at that time. I spent lots of time exploring the B-29's for parts. I was in impressed with the flight engineer ststion,he had his hands full.
Don Bluhm, e-mail, 29.11.2010 18:19
we graduated as flight engineers at Hondo Texas july 45 after a year trainning. The dropping of the h bomb stopped all classes and 29 flights to saipan. the 17 and 24's were large but the 29 was the most advanced with computers and the engineers had to tell the pilot what settings to fly at so we had enough fuel to get back . the h bomb saved thousands of lives ====thanks Harry TRUMAN
Gerald L. Hendrix, e-mail, 28.11.2010 19:33
My Boeing B-29`s Were all KB-29P air refueling, boom type Tankers. I was a scanner/Boom operator with the 91st ARS, the 100th ARS & the 508 th ARS.We refuled the RB-45 aircraft of the 91 photo recon. the 509th RB50`s & the F-84G & F type Models.Took part in "Fox Peter #1 deploying the F-84`s to Korea..We were the real pioneers of the flying boom era.I served from 1951 to March of 1955,..great airlpane, been over the North pole in her once or twice..They took the sighting blisters off the sides of the aircraft due to the weight & swing moment of the boom, Added one blister to the tail, & that was a beautiful view of the aircraft we were refueling..Proud to serve
Hugo Schmidt, e-mail, 22.11.2010 08:34
Was co-pilot on B-29 tail #2099, Kadena AFB, Okinawa. 20th AF. 19th Bomb Wing, 93rd Bomb Squadron. Jan '53 to July 53. Flew 28 missions to No. Korea. Our last scheduled mission was the last of the War Then to Mtn Home AFB, Idaho where conversion to B-47s was taking place.
Peter Gough, e-mail, 21.11.2010 17:21
I was on # 57 Squadron at RAF Coningsby Lincolnshire in Britain in 1952. We had B-29's as did RAF squadrons at Marham Norfolk and elsewhere. (The Brit designation of the B-29 was "Washington") The engines were a weak link (constant mag drops and oil leaks) but once in the air were a fantastic plane. After the cold and unpressurized Lincoln and Lancater the B-29 was a gem.
Zachary F, e-mail, 21.11.2010 15:04
Its a shame that the local wal-mart wont carry a poster of these heros,a photo of the crew and the planes they flew.I have talked to Charles Chauncey the pilot of Goin Jessie and had a chance to thank him for his service.To me, all of the men who went up in the planes and worked on the ground are heros.
a.casais, e-mail, 17.11.2010 21:08
For this plane, i do not care, for my is the simbol of mass destruction and a coward attack at the end of the war, when everywhere in the world almost was over. Pearl Harbor is a piece a cake, if you compared with this crime to the humanity.
WWII, e-mail, 16.11.2010 17:45
Hello Duane. Just reading about all the various types of planes in WWII and letters from the men that flew these planes. Saw your letter here and noticed the European theatre of war. I was just a youngster in those days. ( My next birthday I will hit 80 ) but my next door neighbor flew missions over Europe. If I remember correctly he was a bombardier and I would write to him as a youngster and he wrote back. V-mail, I am sure you recall that. But the only thing he could say was, "Hi Joe. Not much I can say here is that we get up every morning go over, drop, them and come back. Next day the same thing." I do remember him being stationed somewhere in England. He passed away within the past year. God bless you guys for the tremendous job that was done. Many thanks. Joe in Ohio
PAUL KROESEN, e-mail, 05.11.2010 01:11
I WAS AIRPLANE COMMANDER OUT OF SAIPAN--73RD BOMB GROUP AND FLEW 13 MISSIONS IN '45 PLUS POW MISSIONS TO JAPAN. TOTAL 3000 HOURS PILOT TIME AND NEVER FLEW A PLANE BETTER THAN THE B-29 ALTHOUGH THE B-17 WAS EASIER. I'M 94 NOW AND THINK MY CREW ARE ALL GONE.
Gordon McCoun, e-mail, 18.10.2010 14:40
My father was bombardier on the Jolly Roger based (I think) in Tinian. She crashed landed in the ocean and there are videos of the landing. If anyone has a recollection of that or knows how to get a copy of the video, I would be grateful. Many thanks.
Sue Chilipka Franzmathes, e-mail, 11.10.2010 02:39
My Dad, Julius J. "Chip" Chilipka, was the Bombadier on the Goin' Jessie, alongside Chuck Chauncey and Jack Cramer. The Jessie's flight and maintenace crews were all heroes! I just wish we knew what happened to The Jessie after WWII. If anyone knows, please contact me. Thank you.
Dude Engel, e-mail, 06.10.2010 07:24
I served as a Bombardier but never got overseas. Had our crew together when the big one was dropped on Hiroshima. The B-29 was a great plane, but those first engines used were troublesome. Had number 4 engine catch fire on take off but safely aborted take off thanks to a very long runway at McDill air base. Later models of the 29 had Pratt & Whitney engines, which were much less troublesome.
Jim Skinner, e-mail, 02.10.2010 09:11
I was assigned to the 5040th Radar Evaluation Squadron at Elmendorf AFB, AK where we had 1 TB-29, 1 B-57 and a T-33. I was a radio operator on the last operational TB-29 in the Air Force. Our job was to try and sneak into Alaska and we used chaff dispensers and other radar jamming equipment to train the ground radar crews. I personally like flying on it but the engineers were a little leery. Enjoyed actually flying it when they would let me.
Dana Simmons, e-mail, 27.09.2010 06:55
What amazing articles and comments. I am hoping someone on this site can assist me in obtaining a copy of the roster for soldiers/gunners who attended school at the Harlingen Air Force Base Gunnery School in August 1944? Any assistance would be greatly appreciated.
Kindest regards, Dana
Earl Erickson, e-mail, 19.09.2010 21:12
I went to texas for school for b29s in 53 and was sent to england with the 582nd air resupply we did covert operations in europe.we had 12 b29s 4 C119 5 SA16s.we had 2 sister flights,581st in korea,580th in triple,the 29s were alot of maintenance but a great ship 763-234-6501
DUANE R. RATCLIFF, e-mail, 10.09.2010 01:39
I WAS ASSIT.CREW CHIEF,FLT ENG 352ND BSQDN 301ST BM WING STA SALINA KS 1949 & BARKADALE AFB SHREVEPORT LA.UNTIL JUL 54 CONVERTED TO B-47E JET BMER 1953 STILL HAVE NAMES AND TAIL NO,S OF ACFT, NAMES OF PERSONEL WE WERE THE BOX A ON VER. FIN WE WERE A BM CARRIERS WE COVERED EUROPE FROM ENGLAND. OUR HNGER NO WAS 12 BAFB ONCE AIRBORNE SHE WAS GREAT EXCEPT FOR 3350'S THE B-50 WA SUPER WITH 4360'S ENG'S BOEING WICHITA IS RESTOREING B-29 NAMED DOC TO FLY 316-682-6488
Chip Chaffin, e-mail, 28.08.2010 05:07
My grandfather helped build the B-29 at the Marietta Georgia plant. His job was mounting the machine-guns.
chet druelinger, e-mail, 27.08.2010 20:37
I WORKED B29S FROM 1947 THRU 1948 WITH THE 97TH BW 72ND RECN ANDKB29MS WITH 9TH AIR REFULING SQUADRON AT TUCSON AZ.AND MTN HOME IDA FROM 1949 THRU 1964 AT THAT TIME WE GOT KC97S BOTH WERE GREAT AIRCRAFT
grady stoodt, e-mail, 21.08.2010 20:35
The B-29 was the largest plane in WWII, and it was the plane that delivered the A bomb.
Phil Kaufman, e-mail, 19.08.2010 18:15
I was asst.crew chief with the 6091st Recon.I had the dubious honor of ferrying one of the last B-29s back to China Lake ca. to be used as target practice and experimental ordinance demolition tests.We were the "mothership" for several B-26s being returned to the states for a fate unknown...We did the navigation and had to make many island stops for fueling the B-26s..even though they had 500 Gal. tanks in the bomb bay.
Jack Cramer, e-mail, 11.08.2010 23:36
Charles Chauncey (above) was pilot of "Goin Jessie", I was navigator. Jessie was the most famous B-29 in the Tinian community, including Enola Gay. In addition to never aborting, Jessie was picked to drop the 2,000,000 ton of bombs dropped by the AAF in WWII (Wakayama, July 9,1945).Chauncey failed to mention that our crew chief, Curly Klabo was awarded the Legion of Merit personally by Gen Spaatz!
CHINESE WINGMAN, 08.08.2010 11:15
BRILLIANT NO OTHER SINGLE MAKE OF PLANE BOMBED THE EVIL JAPS BACK TO THE STONEAGE AND EXTERMIATED HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS OF THEM IN THE LAST YEAR OF WAR!
Bill McElman, e-mail, 17.07.2010 16:48
Was in the 407th Periodic Maint Squadron serving the 407th Air Refueling Squadron at Malmstrom AFB back in '54-'56. The 29 was converted to a KB but the B-135's were coming on line and the '29 just wasn't fast enought to refule the jets fighters. Anyone still around from the old wing?
safety valve, e-mail, 30.06.2010 06:42
I have some ideas, thank you for sharing, I really like the safety valve
Harry George, e-mail, 07.06.2010 00:09
Hi to the person who asked for contact with any B-29 crew that flew POW missions at the end of WWII. I was an Aircraft Commander , 6th Bomb Group, 313th Wing stationed on Tinian Island in the Marianas Group up to about 1 November 1945 I flew several POW missions to Weisheen (sp?) China and Japan. We used Iwo Jima as our staging point. If anyone was on the ground in one of those awful looking camps be glad to chat with you by E mail. Better hurry, I turn 90 at the end of this month (June 2010)
joe geruntino, e-mail, 18.05.2010 21:15
i believe that i was in the last b-29 outfit at griffis a.f.b. in rome n.y. in 1958-59 the 4713th we were in adc ,our mission was early warning research if my memory is correct we had 12 b-29s which were replaced with b-57s i was transferred to otis a.f.b.to complete my hitch on rc-121d&h the 551st fm until april 1951 both a/c were great the confederate air force still flies a b-29 at air shows
Dick Doll, e-mail, 12.05.2010 05:56
I was assigned to the 19th Bomb Group (HQ) at Kadena AFB, Okinawa from 52-54 - Korean War. I was the Engine (R-3350) Buildup Inspector which included seven stages & ended up a Power Pack ready for installation on B-29. Returned to Randolph AFB, TX as B-29 Crew Chief till discharge Feb.55
Charles Scott, e-mail, 25.03.2010 07:07
I grew up about a mile West of Pratt Army Air Base which served, I believe as a modification site as well as housing the 502nd Air Base Squadron training aircrews who ultimately departed for India in 1944. I still remember attending the Base Open House in late 1943. I would see many flights of the aircraft every day as our house was under a right base leg for landing on what would have been Runway 13. A photo of the old airfield is found on its site at http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pratt_Army_Airfield/ I can still vividly recall the many flights made over our house over which these aircraft must have descended to less than 400 feet. As a result, the plaster in the ceiling of our farmhouse was cracked in many places. I remember the Army Air Corps gave my father about $50 to use for the new product, gypsum sheetrock. Long closed in 1945 as a military installation. there remains operational a powerful part of the old instrument system used at the time. It has been converted to a non-directional beacon (PTT) and is so powerful that once I was returning to Pratt from a symposium and I believe I recall tuning it in over a hundred miles away. The site now houses a very nice Veteran's Memorial at http://prattveteransmemorial.org/ I treasured this memory of the B-29s and it later contributed my becoming a civilian flight instructor. I would invite any who read this to visit the wikipedia sites. Though many of the buildings are gone (some old barracks were cut down to one-story and moved to Pratt where people made them into homes) most of the streets are still there, and though this wanders some from the B-29 topic, some may find the wiki sites interesting which of course, leads to more B-29 information. I sure remember the sound of those low-flying Wright R-3350's. Never forget the contribution men flying this airplane did to end the war with Japan.
George Lockwood, e-mail, 18.03.2010 19:16
What a plane. To me it came 2nd after the P-38. I was crew chief on B-29s at Harmon Field on Guam from Dec. '44 thru Nov.'45. Worked P38's at oxnard field in Alburqye, New Mex.
Greg Roth, e-mail, 02.03.2010 00:22
I am looking for what position an airial observer would do in regard to b29s. My father - Roy D. Roth - was with the 20th Air Force on the ground but had the wings of an airial observer. I think he flew across the hump a lot but I don't know why. Maybe to get injured b29s back.
michael gold, e-mail, 25.02.2010 02:28
Trying to locate a Michael Caroll B-29 Gunner from the end of the combat crew training at Randolph around 1952. Would have gone to Kadena from Randoplh. Originally from upstate New York. (Newburgh)
Eddie Stough, e-mail, 24.02.2010 03:34
Lots of time on the B-29. Crew Chief, Dock Chief, Flight Chief and Flight Engineer At Randolph AFB.
Charles, e-mail, 04.02.2010 09:04
My Dad logged 1145hrs in the B-29 out of Maxwell Field, Ala; MacDill, Fla; Castle Field (Merced), Calif; Morrison Field, Fla; Fairfield-Suisun, Calif (Castle, Morrison & Fairfield were all with the 55th Recon VLRW). Then from Sept '47 to Sept '49 at Anderson AAF, Guam (20thAF - FEAF 93rdBS, 19thBG), As I understand, these were mostly "Show Of Force" missions (Guam-Tokyo-Guam runs). Can anyone verify this? Dad was a 1st Lt. Aircraft Commander at the time. Jake S. Bishop Jr. (Ret 0-4 1961. Dec 1970). Does anyone remember flying with him? If so, please contact me via e-mail.
Bob Wilkenloh, e-mail, 03.02.2010 19:09
I was a left gunner on a B-29 and flew 30 missions over Korea with the 345th from Yakota. The B-29 was a great bomber. The only problem using it in Korea was that the RCT gunnery system was not made for use against jets. It was great for use against prop driven fighters. That is why they went to night missions.
J. R. Pounds, e-mail, 30.01.2010 01:27
email:white_tiger401@yahoo.com
I searching for any information about a b 29 Bomber called the Spanish Fork, UT aka Heavenly Body K 35 serial number 44-69997 A/C Foster B. Huff WWII. The Crew of the 811 and this aircraft was on Guam from 1944-45. A couple of day ago I found information about a b 29 bomber that was also a K-35-Hoeryong Airdrome, Korea. Tailcode; "K" overHOllow triangle over plane ID Number identified the 505th BG, 313thBomb Wing until April 1945. Circle W. Could some one see if they could find out what aircraft this might be. Any information would be of great help in searching out the plane my father M/sgt Robert D. Pounds and the crew of the 811 spent most of their time on during the war.
Thank you,
John R. Pounds son of Major Robert D. Pounds USAF RET.
Harold F. Watson, e-mail, 10.12.2009 00:28
The June 11, 1953 issue of Pacific Stars and Stripes featured an article on a B-29 with the 345th Bomb Sqdn, 98th Bomb Wing at Yokota A.F.B. Japan after completing her 200th bomb mission over Korea. "Grandma" finished the Korean War with 208 missions over Korea, more than any other B-29. I was the Ass't Crew Chief; Staff Sgt. Ralph Logan was the Crew Chief at the time.
Bill Streifer, e-mail, 11.08.2009 08:46
If you flew on B-29 POW supply missions for the 20th AF (any BW) between August 27 - September 20, 1945... please contact me
Leo Rudnicki, e-mail, 09.08.2009 23:00
34 inches in diameter and roughly 35 feet long starting from the fuselage sta. before the front upper sighting blister to a tad before the rear upper sighting blister.
Bill Bean, e-mail, 09.08.2009 22:03
I would like to know the diameter and length of the pressurized tunnel between the nose section and the mid section or wher to find the information
carl posey, e-mail, 30.12.2008 18:09
I'm researching a story on B-29s in Korea for AIR & SPACE/SMITHSONIAN magazine, and would like to interview some of the participants. Also interested in talking to Silverplate crews from WWII and the Korean action. Telephone 703-683-4773, e-mail caposey@att.net Thanks & happy landings. cp
BOB SEYMOUR, e-mail, 05.08.2008 23:38
I had been a twin advanced instructor until Dec. 1944 when they decided they didn't need us any more. Then went to learn how to fly B-24 and then they asked if I would like to try B-29. Silly question! What a great airplane and loved to fly it. What a pleasure sitting at 20K feet without oxygen!! Got to Tinian just in time for the end of the war. The only mission I flew was the Power Display over Tokyo bay at the signing of the surrender on the Battleship Missouri.
Long live FIFI!!
Willard L. Matteson, e-mail, 14.07.2008 03:19
I was a B-29 radio operator at Pyote, TX from Apr-Nov '45 We were on our last training flight when the war ended on Aug 14. Engine fires were quite common during training. The #3 engine on one of our flights caught fire when we were about an hour out from the base. The pilots and flight engineer managed to extinguish it and feather the prop so we got back to base OK. Kinda scary, though. My pilot was 1st Lieutenant Howard Campbell, a first-rate pilot and an A-1 officer in every respect. He was from Ohio and I would like to get in touch with him. If anyone knows him please contact me by e-mail or phone (760-942- 0223)
Charles G. Chauncey, e-mail, 14.05.2008 18:30
There were 11 flight crewman: Bombardier, 2 Pilots, Flight Engineer, Navigator, Radio Operator, 3 Gunners, Radar Operator, and Tail Gunner. Our plane, a Wichita B-29, flew 51 bombing mission and 1 POW supply mission with never an abort. Of our 35 missions our crew flew 32 of them, the balance was flown by other crews. Our Ground Crew Chief received the Legion of Merit after its 50 mission with no aborts.
Mike Wourms, e-mail, 11.05.2008 03:09
My Dad is wondering if there is any information about the experimental B-45's. It was a two man aircraft, two jet engines made around 1950 or 1952.
FRANK D HEROLD, e-mail, 01.05.2008 04:10
I have quite a few hours in B29's during the Korean Conflick. The good old days.
Walter Bringsauf, e-mail, 29.03.2008 18:51
During the Korean War there were quite a few B-29s in use. On Okinawa we had the 19th, 22nd, 98th and 307th Bomb Grps. The 19th alone had over 30 planes in 3 Squadrons. At one time we had a max effort that put up 100 planes from our base at Kadena.
Sam Paterson, 29.02.2008 16:23
The Superfortress is cool despite frequent engine fires
Joseph H. Peek, e-mail, 30.04.2007 07:16
I was raised in Tucson, AZ and lived about 3 miles from Davis-Monthan Air Force Base. My uncle visited us from Phoenix, AZ one day and saw the China Berry trees trimmed to stub condition for better yard appearance. He made a comment concerning the stubby limbs and about that time a B-29 came low over the house and mom pointed up as if to blame the plane for the trim job on the trees. The bird was very loud with the Wright 3350s beating out their monster noise. It was thrilling to see for a young lad in 4th or 5th grade around 1945. Call me 404-325-4866
