DAYTON, Ohio -- Boeing B-29 Superfortress "Bockscar" in the World War II Gallery at the National Museum of the United States Air Force. (U.S. Air Force photo)
DAYTON, Ohio -- Boeing B-29 Superfortress "Bockscar" in the World War II Gallery at the National Museum of the United States Air Force. (U.S. Air Force photo)
Back row (left to right): Capt. Kermit R. Beahan, Bombardier; Capt. James F. Van Pelt, Navigator; Capt. Charles D. Albury, Pilot; 2nd Lt. Fred J. Olivi, Co-pilot; Maj. Charles W. Sweeney, Aircraft Commander. Front row (left to right): SSgt. Edward K. Buckley, Radar Operator; MSgt. John D. Kuharek, Flight Engineer; Sgt. Raymond G. Gallagher, Assistant Flight Engineer; SSgt. Albert T. Dehart, Tail Gunner; Sgt. Abe M. Spitzer, Radio Operator. (U.S. Air Force photo)
"Bockscar" upon delivery to Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio, in 1961. The nose art was added sometime after the raid against Nagasaki. (U.S. Air Force photo)
Aerial reconnaissance photo of Nagasaki, Japan, taken on Aug. 5, 1945. Military and industrial target areas are outlined and numbered (legend at lower left corner of photo). (U.S. Air Force photo)
DAYTON, Ohio -- Lt. Fred Olivi exhibit in the World War II Gallery at the National Museum of the U.S. Air Force. These items were carried by Olivi, third pilot on the B-29 "Bockscar", on the atomic bomb mission against Nagasaki. Exhibit features such items as Olivi's Distinguished Flying Cross, pistol and gloves. (U.S. Air Force photo)
DAYTON, Ohio -- Lt. Fred Olivi exhibit in the World War II Gallery at the National Museum of the U.S. Air Force. These items were carried by Olivi, third pilot on the B-29 "Bockscar", on the atomic bomb mission against Nagasaki. Exhibit features such items as Olivi's Distinguished Flying Cross, pistol and gloves. (U.S. Air Force photo)
The B-29 on display, Bockscar, dropped the Fat Man atomic bomb on Nagasaki on Aug. 9, 1945, three days after the atomic attack against Hiroshima. Bockscar was one of 15 specially modified "Silverplate" B-29s assigned to the 509th Composite Group. Most B-29s carried eight .50-cal. machine guns in remote controlled turrets, two .50-cal. machine guns and one 20mm cannon in a tail turret, and up to 20,000 pounds of bombs. Silverplate B-29s, however, retained only the tail turret and had their armor removed to save weight so that the heavy atomic bombs of the time could be carried over a longer distance.
Designed in 1940 as an eventual replacement for the B-17 and B-24, the first B-29 made its maiden flight on Sept. 21, 1942. In December 1943 U.S. Army Air Forces leadership committed the Superfortress to Asia, where its great range made it particularly suited for the long over-water flights against the Japanese homeland from bases in China. During the last two months of 1944, B-29s began operating against Japan from the islands of Saipan, Guam and Tinian. With the advent of the conflict in Korea in June 1950, the B-29 returned to combat. Although vulnerable to MiG-15 jet fighter attacks, the Superfortress remained effective against several types of targets throughout the Korean War.
Bockscar was flown to the museum on Sept. 26, 1961.
TECHNICAL NOTES: Armament: Eight .50-cal. machine guns in remote controlled turrets plus two .50-cal. machine guns and one 20mm cannon in tail; 20,000 lbs. of bombs Engines: Four Wright R-3350s of 2,200 hp each
Maximum speed: 357 mph Cruising speed: 220 mph Range: 3,700 miles Ceiling: 33,600 ft. Span: 141 ft. 3 in. Length: 99 ft. Height: 27 ft. 9 in. Weight: 133,500 lbs. maximum Serial number: 44-27297
