The Boeing B-29 was among the most unique and recognizable aircraft of the World War II era. For one thing, it was the largest and most sophisticated bomber to enter combat in WW II with its 141,100 lb. Max. gross weight, 141'3" wingspan and heated/pressurized crew compartments. It began as a super-secret project, first announced to the general public in a news account of its first combat mission. And, the B-29 used “LORD Mounts.”
Then, LORD Manufacturing Company was called on by Wright Aeronautical to design a Dynafocal mounting system for the new R-3350-23 engines. LORD involvement began with a secret phone call to our design engineers requesting immediate support and providing early details of a new engine –airframe combination needing a new engine mount system. LORD engineers were on a train within hours and the preliminary mount design of the MR-36 system was sketched out en route. The project progressed faster than almost any previous LORD project, with prototype machining begun in a few days and completed parts on test a few weeks later.
Entering service in 1943, the B-29 only saw action in the Pacific theater, with its first missions launched from bases in India and China. Its long range allowed it to operate from remote bases directly against Japan, first to firebomb cities and, finally, to drop the atomic bombs on Hiroshima and Nagasaki.
It carried a crew of 10 and was powered by four Wright R-3350-23 “Cyclone” engines that used 18 cylinders and dual turbo superchargers to delivered 2,200 HP each. The B-29 had a range over 3,300 miles, ceiling of 31,850 feet, a top speed of 365 MPH and could deliver a 20,000 lb. bomb load. Onboard armament included a 20mm cannon in the tail and twelve .50 cal. machine guns, including, four each in the top turrets and two mounted in the belly that were remotely controlled.
Over its life, about 3,970 were built in six variants, including bombers, search and rescue, reconnaissance, trainers and aerial refueling versions. It also served as a launch platform for the Bell X-1 and X-2 experimental aircraft. The Russians copied the design, calling it the Tu-4. After 1945, the B-29 was used in Korea and, later, by the Strategic Air Command. In Korea, the B-29’s last combat assignments were strategic bombing of factories, bridges, power plants, etc.