The Boeing B-29 Superfortress was a four-engined heavy bomber flown primarily by the United States in World War Two and the Korean War. The B-29 remained in service in various roles throughout the 1950s. The British Royal Air Force flew the B-29 and used the name Washington for the type; and the Soviet Union produced an unlicensed copy as the Tupolev Tu-4. The name "Superfortress" was derived from that of its well-known predecessor; the B-17 Flying Fortress. The B-29 was the progenitor of a series of Boeing-built bombers; reconnaissance aircraft; trainers and tankers including the variant; B-50 Superfortress. The B-29 was one of the largest aircraft to see service during World War Two. A very advanced bomber for its time; it included features such as pressurized cabins; an electronic fire-control system and remote-controlled machine-gun turrets. Though it was designed as a high-altitude daytime bomber; in practice it actually flew more low-altitude nighttime incendiary bombing missions. It was the primary aircraft in the American firebombing campaign against Japan in the final months of World War Two; and carried the atomic bombs that destroyed Hiroshima and Nagasaki. Unlike many other World War Two-era bombers; the B-29 remained in service long after the war ended; with a few even being employed as flying television transmitters. The type was finally retired in the early 1960s; with 3;960 aircraft in all built. Without doubt there is a clear; strong requirement to ‘put the record straight’ using primary source documentation to record the undoubted achievements alongside and in context with the shortcomings to the type’s design and operation that have otherwise received scant attention. The book will cover all variants and is profusely illustrated.
#753503 in Books Osprey Publishing 2006-08-29 2006-08-29Original language:EnglishPDF # 1 9.87 x 4.45 x 7.25l; .48 #File Name: 184603003X64 pages9781846030031
Review
0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. Good information on the enemy's tactics.By CustomerA comprehensive review (as much as can be squeezed into an Osprey publication) about NVA and VC tunnels; bunkers and fortifications. With diagrams; schematics and photos; you can get the idea of what they accomplished with so little. Good reading to uncover the other side of the hill. SAA.6 of 6 people found the following review helpful. Very Detailed and InformativeBy Joseph CrowsonYet another great book by Osprey; this goes into great "depth";literally; as it describes the genius designs of the VC/NVA Tunnel and Fighting complexes in 'Nam. Early in the war American Conventional Units were stunned at how the enemy "melted into the jungle"; escaping the massive firepower of the west. Tunnels were not unheard of but no one realized the tactical importance of them to the enemy. This book offers the reader very detailed illustrations as to the construction and layout. Complex underground hospitals; command centers; and "dien bein phu kitchens" kept the enemy with the advantage of fight or flight. Add this with "The Tunnels of Cu Chi" and one will get a better sense why the NVA were able to turn the tides of the war in Vietnam.0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. Five StarsBy Doug ThompsonNicely done. Great resource.
