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Home > Fact Sheets > Boeing XB-29
BOEING XB-29
The XB-29 was the result of a design effort begun in the mid-1930s by Boeing engineers. Knowledge gained on the YB-9, XB-15 and Y1B-20 projects -- none of which progressed past the service test phase -- gave Boeing engineers a head start on very large bomber design. This resulted in the Boeing Model 341, submitted to the Army Air Corps in late 1939. The Air Corps staff was impressed with the design but combat over Europe showed some serious problems with current European bombers particularly with defensive systems.
The Air Corps modified its requirements for the very heavy bomber to include greater defensive capabilities including more and higher caliber armament and self-sealing fuel tanks. Boeing engineers redesigned the Model 341 to incorporate these changes and resubmitted the design as Model 345. The Army placed an order for two aircraft in August 1940 and designated the new type XB-29. A third prototype aircraft was ordered in December 1940.
A mockup of the aircraft was completed in the spring of 1941. The Air Corp was so impressed with the design and order for 14 service test (YB-29) and 250 production aircraft (B-29) was placed before the XB-29 ever flew. The first flight of the XB-29 was on Sept. 21, 1942, and testing continued until Feb. 18, 1942, when the second prototype crashed after an in-flight engine fire burned through the wing structure. The Army took over the test program after the crash and development continued with flight testing of the YB-29 beginning later that summer.
| Type |
Number built/
converted |
Remarks |
| XB-29 |
3 |
Very heavy bomber prototype |
Note: The XB-29 is easily identified by the 3-blade propellers. All other models had 4-blade props.
TECHNICAL NOTES:
Armament: Various numbers of .50-cal. machine guns in powered, unpowered, manned and remote turrets and blisters and (designed for) up to 20,000 lbs. of bombs
Engines: Four Wright R-3350-13 Cyclone radials of 2,200 hp each (take-off power)
Maximum speed: 368 mph
Cruising speed: 255 mph
Range: 5,800 miles
Service ceiling: 32,100 ft.
Span: 141 ft. 3 in.
Length: 98 ft. 2 in.
Height: 27 ft. 9 in.
Weight: 120,000 lbs. (gross)
Crew: 11
Serial numbers: 41-002, 41-003, and 41-18335
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