B-29 War Machine Utimate Quality

My Dad flew both B17s (12th AF, North Africa) and B29s(444th Bomb Group, CBI). He is 85 now...lots of interesting stories, shot down three times. He says B29 engines were pretty bad.. oiling problems with upper cylinders. He adds that the B17 was more of a pilot's plane but the B29 was 10x more comfortable. Yes, towards the end, lots of murder missions and senseless bombing. Only in the last few years has he discussed that stuff. A lot of the air crews were bothered by that, I guess

I think it's the only plane whom's single loss was from friendly fire.

That is not correct. Much information is available on the B-29's combat record via a quick search. Many were lost in WW2, and many more were lost in Korea.

That's not what the Military channel told me. I know, American propaganda .

My father is still alive today and he was what he calls a "waist" gunner I think because he had control of both L and R center turits on a 29 late in the pacific confict. To be very short due to youtube text limits, I think he hated what he was commanded to do. Towards the end of the war, it just was to be a murder mission because the japanese leaders at that time would not quit. My dad has no interest in seeing this plane again. My dad wanted to come home alive, that's all. Thanks 29 fans

You´ve said it.

right you are....my dad was a flight engineer off of Tinian, and had flown the "Hump" from Piardo.... if you do a little research. you'll find the B-29 was a very unforgiving airplane....engines had a tendency to catch fire, the bomb sight did not work from high-altitude, and most who flew her were glad to get out alive. the B-29 was all about payload and a bombing, gunning system that did not work...but it DID end the War with Japan.

Thanks Volkskraft and itsabig for responding. I'm wondering if itabig's father's still with us. If so my father may want to contact him. My father was on Tininan as well, on "Dyamite Dottie", as pictured in our logs. Please forward to your dad if God has willed, otherwise, thanks again for responding! Again, thanks B-29 Fans! A side note from the EAA in Oshkosh, we can be expecting a B-29 next year 2009! Jim

To find film of a camoed B-29 is hard given how few I think only the protytpes where actually camoed.

unit 731,rape of nankin, denial: tell me about what Japan deserves.