Ground crews arming a B-29 Superfortress of the 500th Bomb Group at Isley Field, Saipan, Mariana Islands, 1944-45.

Caption   Ground crews arming a B-29 Superfortress of the 500th Bomb Group at Isley Field, Saipan, Mariana Islands, 1944-45. ww2dbase
Source    ww2dbaseUnited States Army Air Forces
More on...   
B-29 Superfortress   Main article  Photos  
Bombing of Tokyo and Other Cities   Main article  Photos  Maps  
Added By David Stubblebine
Added Date 28 Nov 2012

This photograph has been scaled down; full resolution photograph is available here (1,200 by 936 pixels).

Licensing  Public Domain. According to the United States copyright law (United States Code, Title 17, Chapter 1, Section 105), in part, "[c]opyright protection under this title is not available for any work of the United States Government".



Did you enjoy this photograph or find this photograph helpful? If so, please consider supporting us on Patreon. Even $1 per month will go a long way! Thank you.

Share this photograph with your friends:

 Facebook
 Reddit
 Twitter

Stay updated with WW2DB:

 RSS Feeds

Visitor Submitted Comments

1. Commenter identity confirmed Bill says:
28 May 2016 09:10:39 PM

WEAPONS DETAIL:

B-29 is able to carry (40) 500lb bombs and deadly incendiary bombs However, it could also carry (4) bombs weighting 4,000lb each. Later in the war the B-29 was also fitted with external wing racks for even more bombs

MODIFICATIONS:

The bomb bays were even modified to carry 1 x 22,000lb bomb or 2 x 12,000lb British Blockbuster bombs, that were carried on external racks under the wings.

GUN CONTROL: SHORT BURSTS

The B-29 was armed w/remote controlled turrets mounting .50 caliber machine guns w/500 rounds per gun. Some crews had the ammo increase to 1,000 rounds per gun. The tail gun mounted 2 x .50 caliber machine guns and 1 x 20mm cannon However some crews deleted the 20mm cannon, in trade for another .50 caliber machine gun.

ESCORT SERVICE:

To improve the defensive firepower of a group Boeing evaluated the need for a heavily armed escort ship. Carrying extra ammo and turrets it was to provide added protection against enemy fighters. Like the multi-gun B-17 escorts once the other B-17's dropped their bombs, the escort couldn't keep up, so the program just fizzled out.
with the B-29 escort ship.
2. Janet says:
7 Mar 2020 05:38:15 PM

B-29 Shoot the Fade

All visitor submitted comments are opinions of those making the submissions and do not reflect views of WW2DB.

Posting Your Comments on this Topic

Your Name
Your Email
 Your email will not be published
Comment Type
Your Comments
Security Code
 
 

Notes:

1. We hope that visitor conversations at WW2DB will be constructive and thought-provoking. Please refrain from using strong language. HTML tags are not allowed. Your IP address will be tracked even if you remain anonymous. WW2DB site administrators reserve the right to moderate, censor, and/or remove any comment. All comment submissions will become the property of WW2DB.

2. For inquiries about military records for members of the World War II armed forces, please see our FAQ.
Search WW2DB & Partner Sites
News

Random Photograph

Kübelwagen scout car in southern Russia, 1941-1943


Current Site Statistics

Famous WW2 Quote
"I have returned. By the grace of Almighty God, our forces stand again on Philippine soil."

General Douglas MacArthur at Leyte, 17 Oct 1944


Support Us

Please consider supporting us on Patreon. Even $1 a month will go a long way. Thank you!

Or, please support us by purchasing some WW2DB merchandise at TeeSpring, Thank you!