Difference between revisions of "B-29A-BN"

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== Description ==
 
== Description ==
−
''In the description, the first part needs to be about the history of and the creation and combat usage of the aircraft, as well as its key features. In the second part, tell the reader about the aircraft in the game. Insert screenshot of the vehicle. If the novice player does not remember the vehicle by name, he will immediately understand what kind of vehicle it is talking about.''
+
<!--In the description, the first part should be about the history of and the creation and combat usage of the aircraft, as well as its key features. In the second part, tell the reader about the aircraft in the game. Insert a screenshot of the vehicle, so that if the novice player does not remember the vehicle by name, he will immediately understand what kind of vehicle the article is talking about.-->
 +
[[File:GarageImage B-29A-BNSuperfortress.jpg|420px|thumb|left]]
 +
{{break}}
 +
The '''{{Specs|name}}''' is a Rank {{Specs|rank}} American heavy bomber {{Battle-rating}}. It was introduced in [[Update 1.47 "Big Guns"]]. The B-29 follows the [[B-24D-25-CO|B-24 Liberator]] in the U.S. bomber branch and is the last American propeller powered bomber in the US Tech Tree. It is one of the most powerful and heavily armed bombers in War Thunder.
  
 
== General info ==
 
== General info ==
 
=== Flight Performance ===
 
=== Flight Performance ===
−
''Describe how the aircraft behaves in the air. Maximum speed, maneuverability, speed and allowable loads - these are the most important characteristics of the vehicle.''
+
''Describe how the aircraft behaves in the air. Speed, manoeuvrability, acceleration and allowable loads - these are the most important characteristics of the vehicle.''
 +
 
 +
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
 +
|-
 +
! colspan="8" | Characteristics
 +
|-
 +
! colspan="8" | ''Stock''
 +
|-
 +
! colspan="2" | Max Speed<br>(km/h at 9,100 m)
 +
! rowspan="2" | Max altitude<br>(meters)
 +
! colspan="2" | Turn time<br>(seconds)
 +
! colspan="2" | Rate of climb<br>(meters/second)
 +
! rowspan="2" |Take-off run<br>(meters)
 +
|-
 +
! AB
 +
! RB
 +
! AB
 +
! RB
 +
! AB
 +
! RB
 +
|-
 +
| 613 || 602 || {{Specs|ceiling}} || 33.5 || 34.4 || 2.9 || 4.2 || 1,800
 +
|-
 +
! colspan="8" | ''Upgraded''
 +
|-
 +
! colspan="2" | Max Speed<br>(km/h at 9,100 m)
 +
! rowspan="2" |Max altitude (meters)
 +
! colspan="2" | Turn time (seconds)
 +
! colspan="2" | Rate of climb<br>(meters/second)
 +
! rowspan="2" |Take-off run (meters)
 +
|-
 +
! AB
 +
! RB
 +
! AB
 +
! RB
 +
! AB
 +
! RB
 +
|-
 +
| 669 || 641 || {{Specs|ceiling}} || 30.7 || 32.0 || 11.7 || 6.5 || 1,800
 +
|-
 +
|}
 +
 
 +
====Details====
 +
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
 +
|-
 +
! colspan="5" | Features
 +
|-
 +
! Combat flap
 +
! Take-off flap
 +
! Landing flap
 +
! Air brakes
 +
! Arrestor gear
 +
|-
 +
| ✓ || ✓ || ✓ || X || X    <!-- ✓ -->
 +
|-
 +
|}
 +
 
 +
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
 +
|-
 +
! colspan="5" | Limits
 +
|-
 +
! rowspan="2" | Wing-break speed<br>(km/h)
 +
! rowspan="2" | Gear limit<br>(km/h)
 +
! rowspan="2" | Combat flap<br> (km/h)
 +
! colspan="2" | Max Static G
 +
|-
 +
! +
 +
! -
 +
|-
 +
| {{Specs|разрушение|конструкции}} || {{Specs|разрушение|шасси}} || 340 || ~1 || ~1
 +
|-
 +
|}
 +
 
 +
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
 +
|-
 +
! colspan="4" | Optimal velocities
 +
|-
 +
! Ailerons<br>(km/h)
 +
! Rudder<br>(km/h)
 +
! Elevators<br>(km/h)
 +
! Radiator<br>(km/h)
 +
|-
 +
| < 340 || < 350 || < 290 || > 400
 +
|-
 +
|}
 +
 
 +
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
 +
|-
 +
! colspan="3" | Compressor (RB/SB)
 +
|-
 +
! colspan="3" | Setting 1
 +
|-
 +
! Optimal altitude
 +
! 100% Engine power
 +
! WEP Engine power
 +
|-
 +
| 9,720 m || 2,200 hp || 2,499 hp
 +
|-
 +
<!--! colspan="3" | Setting 2
 +
|-
 +
! Optimal altitude
 +
! 100% Engine power
 +
! WEP Engine power
 +
|-
 +
| ?,??? m || ?,??? hp || ?,??? hp
 +
|-
 +
! colspan="3" | Setting 3
 +
|-
 +
! Optimal altitude
 +
! 100% Engine power
 +
! WEP Engine power
 +
|-
 +
| ?,??? m || ?,??? hp || ?,??? hp
 +
|- -->
 +
|}
 +
 
 +
====Engine performance====
 +
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
 +
|-
 +
! colspan="4" | Engine
 +
|-
 +
! colspan="3" | Engine Name
 +
! colspan="3" | Number present
 +
|-
 +
| colspan="3" | Wright R-3350-57 18-cylinder || 4
 +
|-
 +
! colspan="4" | Engine characteristics
 +
|-
 +
! colspan="2" | Weight (each)
 +
! colspan="1" | Type
 +
! colspan="1" | Cooling
 +
|-
 +
| colspan="2" | 1,251 kg || Radial || Air
 +
|-
 +
! colspan="4" | Engine power (Stock)
 +
|-
 +
! colspan="2" | Max
 +
! colspan="2" | Take-off
 +
|-
 +
| colspan="2" | 1,975 hp || colspan="2" | 2,276 hp
 +
|-
 +
! colspan="4" | Engine power (Upgraded)
 +
|-
 +
! colspan="2" | Max
 +
! colspan="2" | Take-off
 +
|-
 +
| colspan="2" | 2,200 hp || colspan="2" | 2,502 hp
 +
|-
 +
|}
  
 
=== Survivability and armour ===
 
=== Survivability and armour ===
−
''Examine the survivability of the aircraft. Note how vulnerable the structure is and how secure the pilot is, whether the fuel tanks are armoured. Describe the armour, if there is any, also mention the vulnerability of other critical aircraft systems.''
+
<!--Examine the survivability of the aircraft. Note how vulnerable the structure is and how secure the pilot is, whether the fuel tanks are armoured, etc. Describe the armour, if there is any, and also mention the vulnerability of other critical aircraft systems.-->
 +
 
 +
* 60 mm Bulletproof glass in front of the pilots.
 +
* 6.5 mm Steel plates in front of the pilots.
 +
* 6.5 mm Steel plates behind the pilots.
 +
* 6.5 mm Steel plates in front of tail control tractions.
 +
* 6.5 mm Steel plates boxing around rear dorsal gunner and beam gunners.
 +
* 6.5 mm Steel plate behind the rear ventral gunner.
 +
* 60 mm Bulletproof glass in front of tail gunner.
 +
* 6.5 mm Steel plate in front of tail gunner.
 +
 
 +
== Armaments ==
 +
=== Suspended armament ===
 +
<!--Describe the aircraft's suspended armament: additional cannons under the wings, bombs, rockets and torpedoes. This section is especially important for bombers and attackers. If there is no suspended weaponry remove this subsection.-->
 +
{{main|AN-M64A1 (500 lb)|AN-M65A1 (1,000 lb)|AN-M66A2 (2,000 lb)}}
  
−
== Weaponry ==
+
The '''''{{PAGENAME}}''''' can be outfitted with the following ordinance:
−
=== Offensive weaponry ===
 
−
''Describe the offensive weaponry of the aircraft, if any. Describe how effective the cannons and machine guns are in a battle, and also what belts or drums are better to use. If there is no offensive weaponry, delete this subsection.''
 
  
−
=== Suspended weaponry ===
+
* 20 x 500 lb AN-M64A1 bombs (10,000 lb total)
−
''Describe the aircraft's suspended weapons: additional cannons under the wings, bombs, rockets and torpedoes. This section is especially important for bombers and attackers. If there is no suspended weaponry remove this subsection.''
+
* 40 x 500 lb AN-M64A1 bombs (20,000 lb total)
 +
* 18 x 1000 lb AN-M65A1 bombs (18,000 lb total)
 +
* 8 x 2000 lb AN-M66A2 bombs 16,000 lb total)
  
−
=== Defensive weaponry ===
+
=== Defensive armament ===
−
''Defensive weaponry with turret machine guns or cannons, crewed by gunners. Examine the number of gunners and what belts or drums are better to use. If defensive weaponry is not available remove this subsection.''
+
<!--Defensive armament with turret machine guns or cannons, crewed by gunners. Examine the number of gunners and what belts or drums are better to use. If defensive weaponry is not available, remove this subsection.-->
 +
{{main|Browning M2 (12.7 mm)}}
  
−
== Usage in the battles ==
+
The '''''{{PAGENAME}}''''' is defended by:
−
''Describe the tactics of playing in an aircraft, the features of using vehicles in a team and advice on tactics. Refrain from creating a "guide" - do not impose a single point of view but give the reader food for thought. Examine the most dangerous enemies and give recommendations on fighting them. If necessary, note the specifics of the game in different modes (AB, RB, SB).''
 
  
−
=== Pros and cons ===
+
* 2 x 12.7 mm Browning M2 machine guns, tail turret  (550 rpg = 1,100 total)
−
''Summarize and briefly evaluate the vehicle in terms of its characteristics and combat effectiveness. Mark its pros and cons in the bulleted list. Do not use more than 6 points for each of the characteristics. Avoid using categorical definitions such as "bad", "good" and the like - they have a substitution in the form of softer "inadequate", "effective".''
+
* 2 x 12.7 mm Browning M2 machine guns, rear ventral turret  (575 rpg = 1,150 total)
 +
* 2 x 12.7 mm Browning M2 machine guns, rear dorsal turret  (500 rpg = 1,000 total)
 +
* 2 x 12.7 mm [Browning M2 machine guns, front ventral turret  (500 rpg = 1,000 total)
 +
* 4 x 12.7 mm Browning M2 machine guns, front dorsal turret  (400 rpg = 1,600 total)
 +
 
 +
==Usage in battles==
 +
<!--Describe the tactics of playing in an aircraft, the features of using vehicles in a team and advice on tactics. Refrain from creating a "guide" - do not impose a single point of view, but instead, give the reader food for thought. Examine the most dangerous enemies and give recommendations on fighting them. If necessary, note the specifics of the game in different modes (AB, RB, SB).-->
 +
 
 +
The ultimate strategic bomber for the [[:Category:USA_aircraft|USAF]]. Loaded up with eight metric tonnes (8 long tonnes) of bombs and ten good ol' Browning heavy machine guns this is the ''Superfortress''! A wonderful advertising name, but don't be fooled, it is bigger than a barn and thus impossible to miss. Keep a safe distance from any hot combat zones. Your defensive turrets will not keep you safe, they will kill any foe getting close, but the B-29's enemies do not need too! So concentrate on what this plane is good at delivery payload, ''lots of it''.
 +
 
 +
Once your bombing run is complete, start descending towards your airfield; enemy fighters might be trying to find you so you should be even more alert now than before. The B-29 has one of the most powerful defensive systems installed on any bomber, so you should be able to defend yourself reasonably well unless it is a head-on attack where you will have very limited protection. You must also combine it with a defensive style of flying to utilize it to its full potential; the B-29 offers great handling for its size. Despite this, be very careful when you enter a dive. It is just as prone as any other aircraft to suffering structural damage if its limitations are exceeded.
 +
 
 +
Great defensive armament will kill most enemies that do get close. Being able to point at least four fifty-calibre in every direction and about six to the six o'clock position will deal with any fighter quickly. But do not forget the size of the Fortress. Most of the enemies shells will hit some mark.
 +
 
 +
Of course, bomb load is very good with the B-29, with its historic performance as one of the best American bomber in service. Up to 8 x 2,000 lb could be carried in the bomb bay.
 +
 
 +
===Modules===
 +
{| class="wikitable"
 +
! Tier
 +
! colspan="2"|Flight performance
 +
! Survivability
 +
! colspan="2"|Weaponry
 +
|-
 +
| I
 +
| Fuselage repair||Radiator
 +
|
 +
| Turret 12 mm||SBC-40
 +
|-
 +
| II
 +
| ||Compressor
 +
| Airframe
 +
| ||
 +
|-
 +
| III
 +
| Wings repair||Engine
 +
|
 +
| New 12 mm MGs (turret)||MBC-12
 +
|-
 +
| IV
 +
| ||Engine injection
 +
| Cover
 +
| ||LBC-8
 +
|-
 +
|}
 +
 
 +
===Pros and cons===
 +
<!--Summarize and briefly evaluate the vehicle in terms of its characteristics and combat effectiveness. Mark its pros and cons in the bulleted list. Try not to use more than 6 points for each of the characteristics. Avoid using categorical definitions such as "bad", "good" and the like - use substitutions with softer forms such as "inadequate" and "effective".-->
  
 
'''Pros:'''
 
'''Pros:'''
−
*
+
* Second heaviest payload next to the [[Tu-4]]
 +
* Stock bomb load is able to destroy bases with 1 salvo in AB and up to 2 bases in RB/SB
 +
* Can be very hard to reach if it reaches high altitudes, even for jets
 +
* Offers effective defensive turrets that virtually has no blind spots
 +
* Fast for its size
 +
* Virtually immune to small arms fire
 +
* Receives air start after repairing/rearming in an airfield
 +
* All payload options are internal and has next to no effect on flight performance
 +
* Gunners are located separately from the gun turret with the exception of the tail turret
 +
* Can easily win a game had it allowed to reach optimal bombing altitude
 +
* Exceptionally strong when flying in groups with other bombers
  
 
'''Cons:'''
 
'''Cons:'''
−
*
+
* Will be ripped to shreds by cannons with a calibre larger than 20 mm especially the MK108
 +
* Unable to reliably defend itself from multiple opponents attacking at once from multiple directions
 +
* Big size, can easily be spotted from long distances, especially with skilled crews
 +
* Has a low dive top-speed
 +
* As with all heavy bombers, it lacks the ability to manoeuvre
 +
* Takes a while to reach an optimal altitude
 +
* Landing gear takes a long time to deploy and retract
 +
* Wings are considered weak spots
 +
* Will face jets most of the time
 +
* Extremely high Repair Cost
 +
 
 +
== History ==
 +
<!--Describe the history of the creation and combat usage of the aircraft in more detail than in the introduction. If the historical reference turns out to be too big, take it to a separate article, taking a link to the article about the vehicle and adding a block "/ History" (example: <nowiki>https://wiki.warthunder.com/(Vehicle-name)/History</nowiki>) and add a link to it here using the <code>main</code> template. Be sure to reference text and sources by using <code><nowiki><ref></nowiki></code>, as well as adding them at the end of the article. This section may also include the vehicle's dev blog entry (if applicable) and the in-game encyclopedia description (under <code><nowiki>=== Encyclopedia Info ===</nowiki></code>, also if applicable).-->
  
−
== Historical part ==
+
The B-29 was one of the, if not, the largest aircraft used during World War II. It was exclusively used in the Pacific Theatre during the War and participated in bombing raids on multiple islands in the Pacific war. The B-29 became the world's first and only nuclear-capable bomber to deliver weapons during wartime when on August 6th, 1945 the B-29 ''Enola Gay'' dropped the atomic bomb known as "Little Boy" on Hiroshima, Japan. Three days later, the B-29 ''Bockscar'' dropped the second atomic bomb "Fat Man" on Nagasaki, Japan.
−
''Describe the history of the creation and combat usage of the aircraft in more detail than in the introduction. If the historical reference turns out to be too big, take it to a separate article, taking a link to an article about the vehicle and adding a block "/ historical reference" (example: https://wiki.warthunder.com/index.php?title=Name-vehicles/historical reference) and add a link to it here using the main template. Be sure to include links to sources at the end of the article.''
+
 
 +
During the Second World War, its only area of operations was the Pacific Theater specifically targeting the Japanese mainland. It also saw combat service in the Korean War a small group of loaned aircraft were evaluated by the R.A.F during the early 1950's as well. In British service, they were known as the “Washington B Mk. 1”.  
 +
 
 +
During World War 2, the B-29 completed over 20,000 sorties with an estimated 180,000 tons of bombs dropped, as well as two atomic bombs. A total number of 3,970 were built and delivered to the USAAF. Perhaps the most famous “copy” of the war was the Tu-4. Although outwardly looking identical, this Soviet “B-29” was converted to metric making it unique. Other aircraft derived from the B-29 include the B-50, C-97, KC-97, 377 Stratocruiser, and NASA’s own Guppy cargo carriers.<ref name="Vehicle Profile WT forum"> Excerpts from [https://forum.warthunder.com/index.php?/topic/292156-profile-b-29-superfortress/ 'Profile' B-29 Superfortress], no Author mentioned.</ref>
 +
 
 +
The B-29 post-war also helped in the scientific, research, and development fields. They would play a key role in hurricane hunting and storm chasing which allowed it to collect key information about storm patterns, and helped to improve and to develop new radar systems such as the “sun tracker”. It was also the aircraft that carried the supersonic test aircraft Bell X-1 into the air. The last American B-29 squadron was retired in the 1960s. Today one called “Fifi” still flies at air show circuits. It is hoped another named “Doc” will soon join her.<ref name="Vehicle Profile WT forum" />
 +
 
 +
=== In-game description ===
 +
"An all-metal monoplane with a retractable landing gear system including a nosewheel. The crew consisted of 14 persons. Distinctive features of the Superfortress included a pressurized cockpit for the crew and a Central Fire Control system for the defensive armament.
 +
 
 +
The B-29 (Model 345) was developed by the Boeing Aircraft design department in early 1940. The XB-29 prototype model performed its maiden flight on September 21, 1942. Full-scale production of the aircraft was started in June 1943.
 +
 
 +
В-29s had Wright R-3350-23 eighteen-cylinder, radial air-cooled engines producing a maximum power of 2,200 hp, with four-bladed automatic propellers.
 +
 
 +
The defensive armament of the Superfortress included four remotely controlled turrets: two below the fuselage and two above. Each turret housed two 12.7 mm Colt-Browning M2.5 machine guns with 500-1,000 rounds each. Some aircraft had an upper front turret equipped with four machine guns. All weapons were aimed at the target from three sighting stations located in blisters and from the bombardier's station.
 +
 
 +
Three armament options were available for the rear mount, controlled by an independent air gunner: a 20 mm Hispano-Bendix AN-M2 cannon and two 12.7 mm Colt-Browning M2.5 machine guns, three 12.7 mm machine guns, or two 12.7 mm machine guns.
 +
 
 +
A bomb load of up to 9,000 kg was housed in two bomb bays, where cluster racks were mounted.
 +
 
 +
The B-29 was equipped with a large amount of radio equipment for various purposes. Its large bomb capacity, powerful and effective defensive armament, and state-of-the-art equipment would have turned the Superfortress into the best heavy bomber of World War II if not for engine breakdowns that continually plagued the aircraft. For one whole year, up to the middle of 1944, the bomber's performance was hampered by a high accident rate. It was only by the end of the summer of 1944 that efforts to improve the fire-prone engines were relatively successful, but the problem was never entirely eradicated.
 +
 
 +
B-29s were used exclusively in the Pacific theater of the war. Superfortresses were used in combat for the first time on June 5, 1944 during the raid on Bangkok. On June 14, 1944, American bombers attacked the territory of Japan for the first time. Military and industrial facilities in Sasebo, Nagasaki, Omura and Yawata were regularly attacked. In August 1944, B-29s began to bomb oil refineries on the island of Sumatra.
 +
 
 +
The B-29s were flown out of China until December 1944, when they were relocated to India. Their targets were docks in Singapore, ports in Indochina, and rail junctions in Burma. В-29s also mined rivers in China and the coastal waters of Vietnam and Malaya from the air.
 +
 
 +
In October 1944, B-29s began carrying out massive attacks on Japan from the Mariana Islands. During the war, these aircraft dropped 54,917 tons of high-explosive bombs and 109,068 tons of incendiary bombs on Japan and delivered 12,000 naval mines. The В-29 became the world's first nuclear weapon carrier when it dropped nuclear bombs on Hiroshima and Nagasaki.
 +
 
 +
From 1950-53, B-29 bombers took part in the Korean War. From 1950-55, the aircraft was operated by the RAF Bomber Command under the designation ""Washington B.1.""
 +
 
 +
A total of 3,947 В-29s were manufactured, including all variants. The plane was withdrawn from service as a bomber with the USA in late 1954."
  
 
== Media ==
 
== Media ==
−
''Прекрасным дополнением к статье станут видеогайды, а также скриншоты из игры и фотографии.''
+
<!--Excellent additions to the article would be video guides, screenshots from the game, and photos.-->
 +
* [https://live.warthunder.com/feed/camouflages/?vehicleCountry=usa&vehicleType=aircraft&vehicleClass=heavy_bomber&vehicle=b-29 '''Skins''' and '''camouflages''' for the {{PAGENAME}} from live.warthunder.com.]
 +
 
 +
== References ==
 +
<references />
  
−
== Read also ==
+
== See also ==
−
''Links to the articles on the War Thunder Wiki that you think will be useful for the reader, for example,''
+
''Links to the articles on the War Thunder Wiki that you think will be useful for the reader, for example:''
 
* ''reference to the series of the aircraft;''
 
* ''reference to the series of the aircraft;''
 
* ''links to approximate analogues of other nations and research trees.''
 
* ''links to approximate analogues of other nations and research trees.''
−
''ETC.''
 
  
−
== Sources ==
+
== External links ==
−
''Paste links to sources and external resources, such as:''
+
<!--Paste links to sources and external resources, such as:
 
* ''topic on the official game forum;''
 
* ''topic on the official game forum;''
−
* ''page on the Wikipedia;''
+
* ''encyclopedia page on the aircraft;''
−
* ''page on aircraft encyclopedia;''
+
* ''other literature.''-->
−
* ''other literature.''
+
* [http://warthunder.com/en/news/3507/current/ [Profile<nowiki>]</nowiki> B-29 Superfortress]
 +
 
 +
{{USA bombers}}

Revision as of 12:30, 26 June 2019

Rank VI | Premium | Golden Eagles
Challenger DS Pack
B-29A-BN
b-29.png
B-29A-BN
USA flag.png USA
IV Rank
Battle rating:
AB RB SB
7.0 7.3 7.0
Class:
Research:63 000 Specs-Card-Exp.png
Purchase:200 000 Specs-Card-Lion.png
Show in game

Description

GarageImage B-29A-BN.jpg


The B-29A-BN Superfortress is a Rank IV American heavy bomber with a battle rating of 7.0 (AB/SB) and 7.3 (RB). It was introduced in Update 1.47 "Big Guns". The B-29 follows the B-24 Liberator in the U.S. bomber branch and is the last American propeller powered bomber in the US Tech Tree. It is one of the most powerful and heavily armed bombers in War Thunder.

General info

Flight Performance

Describe how the aircraft behaves in the air. Speed, manoeuvrability, acceleration and allowable loads - these are the most important characteristics of the vehicle.

Characteristics
Stock
Max Speed
(km/h at 9,100 m) 		Max altitude
(meters) 		Turn time
(seconds) 		Rate of climb
(meters/second) 		Take-off run
(meters)
AB RB AB RB AB RB
613 602 12000 33.5 34.4 2.9 4.2 1,800
Upgraded
Max Speed
(km/h at 9,100 m) 		Max altitude (meters) Turn time (seconds) Rate of climb
(meters/second) 		Take-off run (meters)
AB RB AB RB AB RB
669 641 12000 30.7 32.0 11.7 6.5 1,800

Details

Features
Combat flap Take-off flap Landing flap Air brakes Arrestor gear
✓ ✓ ✓ X X
Limits
Wing-break speed
(km/h) 		Gear limit
(km/h) 		Combat flap
(km/h) 		Max Static G
+ -
0 389 340 ~1 ~1
Optimal velocities
Ailerons
(km/h) 		Rudder
(km/h) 		Elevators
(km/h) 		Radiator
(km/h)
< 340 < 350 < 290 > 400
Compressor (RB/SB)
Setting 1
Optimal altitude 100% Engine power WEP Engine power
9,720 m 2,200 hp 2,499 hp

Engine performance

Engine
Engine Name Number present
Wright R-3350-57 18-cylinder 4
Engine characteristics
Weight (each) Type Cooling
1,251 kg Radial Air
Engine power (Stock)
Max Take-off
1,975 hp 2,276 hp
Engine power (Upgraded)
Max Take-off
2,200 hp 2,502 hp

Survivability and armour

  • 60 mm Bulletproof glass in front of the pilots.
  • 6.5 mm Steel plates in front of the pilots.
  • 6.5 mm Steel plates behind the pilots.
  • 6.5 mm Steel plates in front of tail control tractions.
  • 6.5 mm Steel plates boxing around rear dorsal gunner and beam gunners.
  • 6.5 mm Steel plate behind the rear ventral gunner.
  • 60 mm Bulletproof glass in front of tail gunner.
  • 6.5 mm Steel plate in front of tail gunner.

Armaments

Suspended armament

Main articles: AN-M64A1 (500 lb), AN-M65A1 (1,000 lb), AN-M66A2 (2,000 lb)

The B-29A-BN can be outfitted with the following ordinance:

  • 20 x 500 lb AN-M64A1 bombs (10,000 lb total)
  • 40 x 500 lb AN-M64A1 bombs (20,000 lb total)
  • 18 x 1000 lb AN-M65A1 bombs (18,000 lb total)
  • 8 x 2000 lb AN-M66A2 bombs 16,000 lb total)

Defensive armament

Main article: Browning M2 (12.7 mm)

The B-29A-BN is defended by:

  • 2 x 12.7 mm Browning M2 machine guns, tail turret (550 rpg = 1,100 total)
  • 2 x 12.7 mm Browning M2 machine guns, rear ventral turret (575 rpg = 1,150 total)
  • 2 x 12.7 mm Browning M2 machine guns, rear dorsal turret (500 rpg = 1,000 total)
  • 2 x 12.7 mm [Browning M2 machine guns, front ventral turret (500 rpg = 1,000 total)
  • 4 x 12.7 mm Browning M2 machine guns, front dorsal turret (400 rpg = 1,600 total)

Usage in battles

The ultimate strategic bomber for the USAF. Loaded up with eight metric tonnes (8 long tonnes) of bombs and ten good ol' Browning heavy machine guns this is the Superfortress! A wonderful advertising name, but don't be fooled, it is bigger than a barn and thus impossible to miss. Keep a safe distance from any hot combat zones. Your defensive turrets will not keep you safe, they will kill any foe getting close, but the B-29's enemies do not need too! So concentrate on what this plane is good at delivery payload, lots of it.

Once your bombing run is complete, start descending towards your airfield; enemy fighters might be trying to find you so you should be even more alert now than before. The B-29 has one of the most powerful defensive systems installed on any bomber, so you should be able to defend yourself reasonably well unless it is a head-on attack where you will have very limited protection. You must also combine it with a defensive style of flying to utilize it to its full potential; the B-29 offers great handling for its size. Despite this, be very careful when you enter a dive. It is just as prone as any other aircraft to suffering structural damage if its limitations are exceeded.

Great defensive armament will kill most enemies that do get close. Being able to point at least four fifty-calibre in every direction and about six to the six o'clock position will deal with any fighter quickly. But do not forget the size of the Fortress. Most of the enemies shells will hit some mark.

Of course, bomb load is very good with the B-29, with its historic performance as one of the best American bomber in service. Up to 8 x 2,000 lb could be carried in the bomb bay.

Modules

Tier Flight performance Survivability Weaponry
I Fuselage repair Radiator Turret 12 mm SBC-40
II Compressor Airframe
III Wings repair Engine New 12 mm MGs (turret) MBC-12
IV Engine injection Cover LBC-8

Pros and cons

Pros:

  • Second heaviest payload next to the Tu-4
  • Stock bomb load is able to destroy bases with 1 salvo in AB and up to 2 bases in RB/SB
  • Can be very hard to reach if it reaches high altitudes, even for jets
  • Offers effective defensive turrets that virtually has no blind spots
  • Fast for its size
  • Virtually immune to small arms fire
  • Receives air start after repairing/rearming in an airfield
  • All payload options are internal and has next to no effect on flight performance
  • Gunners are located separately from the gun turret with the exception of the tail turret
  • Can easily win a game had it allowed to reach optimal bombing altitude
  • Exceptionally strong when flying in groups with other bombers

Cons:

  • Will be ripped to shreds by cannons with a calibre larger than 20 mm especially the MK108
  • Unable to reliably defend itself from multiple opponents attacking at once from multiple directions
  • Big size, can easily be spotted from long distances, especially with skilled crews
  • Has a low dive top-speed
  • As with all heavy bombers, it lacks the ability to manoeuvre
  • Takes a while to reach an optimal altitude
  • Landing gear takes a long time to deploy and retract
  • Wings are considered weak spots
  • Will face jets most of the time
  • Extremely high Repair Cost

History

The B-29 was one of the, if not, the largest aircraft used during World War II. It was exclusively used in the Pacific Theatre during the War and participated in bombing raids on multiple islands in the Pacific war. The B-29 became the world's first and only nuclear-capable bomber to deliver weapons during wartime when on August 6th, 1945 the B-29 Enola Gay dropped the atomic bomb known as "Little Boy" on Hiroshima, Japan. Three days later, the B-29 Bockscar dropped the second atomic bomb "Fat Man" on Nagasaki, Japan.

During the Second World War, its only area of operations was the Pacific Theater specifically targeting the Japanese mainland. It also saw combat service in the Korean War a small group of loaned aircraft were evaluated by the R.A.F during the early 1950's as well. In British service, they were known as the “Washington B Mk. 1”.

During World War 2, the B-29 completed over 20,000 sorties with an estimated 180,000 tons of bombs dropped, as well as two atomic bombs. A total number of 3,970 were built and delivered to the USAAF. Perhaps the most famous “copy” of the war was the Tu-4. Although outwardly looking identical, this Soviet “B-29” was converted to metric making it unique. Other aircraft derived from the B-29 include the B-50, C-97, KC-97, 377 Stratocruiser, and NASA’s own Guppy cargo carriers.[1]

The B-29 post-war also helped in the scientific, research, and development fields. They would play a key role in hurricane hunting and storm chasing which allowed it to collect key information about storm patterns, and helped to improve and to develop new radar systems such as the “sun tracker”. It was also the aircraft that carried the supersonic test aircraft Bell X-1 into the air. The last American B-29 squadron was retired in the 1960s. Today one called “Fifi” still flies at air show circuits. It is hoped another named “Doc” will soon join her.[1]

In-game description

"An all-metal monoplane with a retractable landing gear system including a nosewheel. The crew consisted of 14 persons. Distinctive features of the Superfortress included a pressurized cockpit for the crew and a Central Fire Control system for the defensive armament.

The B-29 (Model 345) was developed by the Boeing Aircraft design department in early 1940. The XB-29 prototype model performed its maiden flight on September 21, 1942. Full-scale production of the aircraft was started in June 1943.

В-29s had Wright R-3350-23 eighteen-cylinder, radial air-cooled engines producing a maximum power of 2,200 hp, with four-bladed automatic propellers.

The defensive armament of the Superfortress included four remotely controlled turrets: two below the fuselage and two above. Each turret housed two 12.7 mm Colt-Browning M2.5 machine guns with 500-1,000 rounds each. Some aircraft had an upper front turret equipped with four machine guns. All weapons were aimed at the target from three sighting stations located in blisters and from the bombardier's station.

Three armament options were available for the rear mount, controlled by an independent air gunner: a 20 mm Hispano-Bendix AN-M2 cannon and two 12.7 mm Colt-Browning M2.5 machine guns, three 12.7 mm machine guns, or two 12.7 mm machine guns.

A bomb load of up to 9,000 kg was housed in two bomb bays, where cluster racks were mounted.

The B-29 was equipped with a large amount of radio equipment for various purposes. Its large bomb capacity, powerful and effective defensive armament, and state-of-the-art equipment would have turned the Superfortress into the best heavy bomber of World War II if not for engine breakdowns that continually plagued the aircraft. For one whole year, up to the middle of 1944, the bomber's performance was hampered by a high accident rate. It was only by the end of the summer of 1944 that efforts to improve the fire-prone engines were relatively successful, but the problem was never entirely eradicated.

B-29s were used exclusively in the Pacific theater of the war. Superfortresses were used in combat for the first time on June 5, 1944 during the raid on Bangkok. On June 14, 1944, American bombers attacked the territory of Japan for the first time. Military and industrial facilities in Sasebo, Nagasaki, Omura and Yawata were regularly attacked. In August 1944, B-29s began to bomb oil refineries on the island of Sumatra.

The B-29s were flown out of China until December 1944, when they were relocated to India. Their targets were docks in Singapore, ports in Indochina, and rail junctions in Burma. В-29s also mined rivers in China and the coastal waters of Vietnam and Malaya from the air.

In October 1944, B-29s began carrying out massive attacks on Japan from the Mariana Islands. During the war, these aircraft dropped 54,917 tons of high-explosive bombs and 109,068 tons of incendiary bombs on Japan and delivered 12,000 naval mines. The В-29 became the world's first nuclear weapon carrier when it dropped nuclear bombs on Hiroshima and Nagasaki.

From 1950-53, B-29 bombers took part in the Korean War. From 1950-55, the aircraft was operated by the RAF Bomber Command under the designation ""Washington B.1.""

A total of 3,947 В-29s were manufactured, including all variants. The plane was withdrawn from service as a bomber with the USA in late 1954."

Media

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 Excerpts from 'Profile' B-29 Superfortress, no Author mentioned.

See also

Links to the articles on the War Thunder Wiki that you think will be useful for the reader, for example:

  • reference to the series of the aircraft;
  • links to approximate analogues of other nations and research trees.

External links


USA bombers
Dive  SB2U-2 · SB2U-3 · SBD-3 · SB2C-1C · SB2C-4
Torpedo  TBD-1 · PBY-5 Catalina · PBY-5A Catalina · TBF-1C · BTD-1
Medium  B-10B · B-18A · B-34 · PV-2D · B-25J-1 · B-25J-20 · A-26C-45 · A-26C-45DT · B-26B
Heavy  B-17E · B-17E/L · B-17G-60-VE · PB4Y-2 · B-24D-25-CO · B-29A-BN
Hydroplanes  OS2U-1 · OS2U-3 · PBM-1 "Mariner" · PBM-3 "Mariner"

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