BOEING B-29 SUPERFORTRESS
B-29 & Derivatives SERVICE
B-29 Superfortress
| Manufacturer: | The Boeing Aircraft Co., Seattle, Washington, USA |
| Model: | Boeing Model 345 |
| Designations: | B-29; B-39, B-44, F-13, P2B |
| Names: | Superfortress; Washington (RAF) |
| First official flight: | (XB-29) 21/09/1942 |
| Factory production period: | 1942 - 1946 |
| Primary service period: | 1944 - 1953 |
| Last official flight: | (TB-29) 21/06/1960 |
C-97 Stratofreighter
| Manufacturer: | The Boeing Aircraft Co., Seattle, Washington, USA (In 1948, became The Boeing Airplane Co.) |
| Model: | Boeing Model 367 (Civil variant: Boeing Model 377) |
| Designations: | C-97; C-137 |
| Name: | Stratofreighter (Civil variant: Stratocruiser) |
| First official flight: | (XC-97) 09/11/1944 (Model 377) 08/07/1947 |
| Factory production period: | 1944 - 1956 |
| Primary service period: | 1948 - 1957 |
| Last official flight: | (KC-97L) 1977 |
B-50 Superfortress
| Manufacturer: | The Boeing Aircraft Co., Seattle, Washington,
USA (In 1948, became The Boeing Airplane Co.) |
| Model: | Boeing Model 345-2 |
| Designations: | B-50; B-54 |
| Names: | Superfortress, Superfortress II |
| First official flight: | (B-50A) 25/06/1947 |
| Factory production period: | 1947 -1953 |
| Primary service period: | 1947 - 1953 (parallel with B-29) |
| Last official flight: | (WB-50D) Vietnam, 1967 |
B-29 & Derivatives VARIANTS
B-29 Superfortress
| 1942 | Model 345 | XB-29 | 3 | |
| 1943 | Model 345 | YB-29 | 14 | Total: 0017 |
| 1943 | Model 345 | B-29 | 2513 | |
| 1943 | Model 345 | B-29A | 1119 | |
| 1945 | Model 345 | B-29B | 311 | Total: 3943 |
|
Grand Total: 3960 |
C-97 Stratofreighter
| 1944 | Model 367-1-1/-2 | XC-97 | 3 | |
| 1947 | Model 367-5-5 | YC-97 | 6 | |
| 1948 | Model 367-4-6 | YC-97A | 3 | |
| 1948 | Model 367-4-7 | YC-97B | 1 | Total: 013 |
| 1949 | Model 367-4-19 | C-97A | 50 | |
| 1951 | Model 367-4-29 | C-97C | 14 | |
| 1952 | Model 367-4-29 | KC-97E | 60 | |
| 1952 | Model 367-76-29 | KC-97F | 158 | |
| 1953 | Model 367-76-66 | KC-97G | 592 | Total: 874 |
| 1947 | Model 377 | Stratocruiser Series | 56 | Total: 056 |
|
Grand Total: 943 |
B-50 Superfortress
| 1947 | Model 345-2-1 | B-50A | 79 | |
| 1949 | Model 345-2-1 | B-50B | 45 | |
| 1949 | Model 345-9-6 | B-50D | 222 | Total: 346 |
| 1952 | Model 345-31-26 | TB-50H | 24 | Total: 024 |
|
Grand Total: 370 |
B-29 PRODUCTION
XB-29
Prototype pressurized heavy bomber, no turrets
gun blisters / tail turret, 3-bladed props.
Produced 1942
Boeing Seattle, Washington (BO)
| 41-002 / 41-003 | 2482, 2481 | ||
| 41-18335 | 2884 | 3 | Total: 0003 |
YB-29
Service test aircraft, armed,
4-bladed props.
Produced 1943
Boeing Wichita, Kansas (BW)
| 41-36954 / 41-36967 | 3325 / 3338 | 14 | Total: 0014 |
B-29
As YB-29, engine upgrade,
various improvements.
Produced 1943 - 1945
Boeing Wichita, Kansas (BW)
| 42-6205 / 42-6221 | 3339 / 3355 | ||
| 42-6223 | 3357 | ||
| 42-6225 / 42-6228 | 3359 / 3362 | ||
| 42-6234, 42-6236 | 3368, 3370 | ||
| 42-6238 / 42-6242 | 3372 / 3376 | ||
| 42-6244 / 42-6454 | 3378 / 3588 | ||
| 42-24420 / 42-24919 | 4081 / 4580 | ||
| 44-69655 / 44-70154 | 10487 / 10986 | ||
| 44-87584 / 44-87783 | 12387 / 12586 | ||
| 45-21693 / 45-21872 | 13587 / 13766 |
1620 |
|
| 3526 additional airframes cancelled. | |||
Bell Atlanta, Georgia (BA)
| 42-6222, 42-6224 | 3356, 3358 | ||
| 42-6233, 42-6235 | 3367, 3369 | ||
| 42-6243 | 3377 | ||
|
42-63352 / 42-63751 - 232 as B-29-BA. - 168 as B-29B-BA. |
unknown | ||
|
44-83890 / 44-84156 - 120 as B-29-BA and 3 cancelled. - 143 as B-29B-BA and 1 cancelled. |
unknown |
357 |
Martin Omaha, Nebraska (MO)
| 42-6229 / 42-6232 | 3363 / 3366 | ||
| 42-6237 | 3371 | ||
| 42-65202 / 42-65313 | unknown | ||
| 42-65315 / 42-65401 | unknown | ||
| 44-27259 / 44-27358 | unknown | ||
| 44-86242 / 44-86473 | unknown | 536 | Total: 2513 |
| 200 additional NAA (NA-92, NA132) airframes cancelled. | |||
B-29A
As B-29, 1ft. wider main wing due
to different assembly, minor changes.
Produced 1943 - 1946
Boeing Renton, Washington (BN)
| 42-93824 / 42-94123 | 7231 / 7530 | ||
| 44-61510 / 44-62328 | 10987 / 11805 | 1119 | Total: 1119 |
B-29B
As B-29, no gun turrets, tail guns retained.
Produced 1945
Bell Atlanta, Georgia (BA)
| 311 mixed with B-29-BA s/n. | unknown | 311 | Total: 0311 |
B-29C - 5000 ordered but cancelled on VJ Day.
|
Grand Total: 3960 |
B-29 CONVERSIONS
WW2
USAAF
| YB-29 | 1 | XB-29, (Unofficial), upgraded engines / propellers. |
| XB-39 | 1 | YB-29(41-36954), 1944, engine upgrade. |
| XB-44 | 1 |
B-29A(42-93845), 1944, engine upgrade. Later redesignated as XB-29D, then became the B-50 prototype. |
| F-13A | 118 | B-29 / B-29A, 1944, photo reconnaissance aircraft. |
| (TF-13A) | 4 | F-13A, 1944, conversions as crew trainers. |
| (FB-29 / A) | 114 | 1945, redesignation of F-13A with original series letter. |
| (RB-29 / A) | 114 | 1948, redesignation of FB-29 and FB-28A. |
| SB-29 | 16 |
1944-1956, air/sea rescue aircraft with detachable life-boat. Nicknamed: Super Dumbo. |
Post WW2
USAF
| DB-29 | 1+ | B-29, drone and target directors for QB-29's. |
| GB-29 | 1 | B-29(45-21800), 1947, "Mothership" for Bell X-1 aircraft. |
| QB-29 | 1+ | B-29, remotely piloted target aircraft. |
| ERB-29 | 1 | B-29, fitted with ECM suite. |
| TB-29 | 1+ | B-29, target towing / radar evaluation conversions. |
| WB-29 | 1+ | B-29, 1947, weather reconnaissance conversions. |
| VB-29 | 1 | B-29, 1952, VIP conversions. |
| EB-29A | 1 | B-29A(44-62205), 1948, single B-29 receiver for the KB-29P tanker. |
| TB-29A | 1+ | B-29A, crew trainers. |
| (ETB-29A) | 1 | TB-29A(44-62093), redesignation as parasite carrier for F-84 jets. |
| EB-29B | 1 | B-29B(44-84111), 1948, "Mothership" for XF-85 Goblin jet. |
| XB-29E | 1 | B-29, 1946, test-bed for new electronic fire-control. |
| B-29F | 6 | B-29, temporary Arctic conversions. |
| XB-29G | 1 | B-29B(44-84043), test-bed for turbojet engines. |
| XB-29H | 1 | B-29A, 1947, special defensive armament. |
| YB-29J | 6 | B-29, test-bed for commercial powerplants. |
| (FB-29J) | 2 | YB-29J, photo reconnaissance conversions. |
| (RB-29J) | 2 | 1948, redesignation of FB-29J. |
| (YKB-29J) | 2 | YB-29J, 1948, "Flying Boom" prototypes for the KB-29P. |
| CB-29K | 1 | B-29, 1949-1956, military cargo conversion. |
| KB-29M | 92 |
B-29 / B-29A, 1948, rebuilds as single trailing hose tankers. Original designation was B-29K. |
| (YKB-29T) | 1 | KB-29M(45-21734), prototype 3-hose tanker for the KB-50D. |
| B-29MR | 74 |
B-29 / B-29A, 1948, receiver aircraft for the KB-29M. Original designation was B-29L. |
| KB-29P |
116 |
B-29 / B-29A, 1950-1957, tankers with the "Flying Boom" system. |
US Navy
| P2B-1S | 2 |
B-29, 1947, long-range patrol / search duties. Assigned BuNo. 84028, 84029. BuNo. 84029 was the "Mothership" for the Douglas D-558-II Skyrocket from 1950-1956. |
| P2B-2S | 2 |
B-29, 1947, long-range patrol / search duties, with equipment changes and additional fuel tanks. Assigned BuNo. 84030, 84031. |
British RAF
| Washington B.Mk. 1 |
87 |
3 B-29 / 84 B-29A, 1950-1954, aircraft serving with the
RAF. Assigned RAF s/n: WF434 / WF448, WF490 / WF514, WF545 / WF574, WW342 / WW355, WZ966 / WZ968. Last 3 as ELINT specials from 1952-1958. 2 to RAAF as A76-1, A76-2 from 1952-1956. |
BOEING C-97 STRATOFREIGHTER
C-97 PRODUCTION
XC-97
Prototype cargo / troop transport, pressurized,
double deck, B-29 engines / wing / tail section.
Prodcued
Boeing Seattle, Washington (BO)
| 43-27470 / 43-27472 | 8481 / 8483 | 3 | Total: 003 |
YC-97
Service test variant, engine / systems upgrade.
Produced
Boeing Seattle, Washington (BO)
| 45-59587 / 45-59592 | 15712 / 15717 | 6 | Total: 006 |
YC-97A
As YC-97, B-50 components fitted, engine
upgrade. All later redesignated as C-97A.
Produced
Boeing Seattle, Washington (BO)
| 45-59593 / 45-59595 | 15718 / 15720 | 3 | Total: 003 |
YC-97B
As YC-97A, deluxe VIP interior. Later
redesignated as C-97B then VC-97B.
Produced
Boeing Seattle, Washington (BO)
| 45-59596 | 15721 | 1 | Total: 001 |
C-97A
As YC-97A, minor changes, chin radome, more fuel.
Produced
Boeing Seattle, Washington (BO)
| 48-397 / 48-423 | 16009 / 16035 | ||
| 49-2589 / 49-2611 | 16211 / 16233 | 50 | Total: 050 |
C-97C
As C-97A, strengthened floor, equipment changes.
Produced
Boeing Seattle, Washington (BO)
| 50-690 / 50-703 | 16234 / 16247 | 14 | Total: 014 |
KC-97E
As C-97C, tanker version, refuelling boom, extra
fuel tanks, loading doors sealed, engine upgrade.
Produced
Boeing Seattle, Washington (BO)
| 51-183 / 51-242 | 16250 / 16309 | 60 | Total: 060 |
KC-97F
As KC-97E, engine upgrade, minor changes.
Produced
Boeing Seattle, Washington (BO)
| 51-243 / 51-389 | 16310 / 16456 | ||
| 51-291 / 51-397 | 16458 / 16464 | ||
| 51-7256, 51-7257 | 16489, 16490 | ||
| 51-7258, 51-7259 | 16504, 16505 | 158 | Total: 158 |
| 1 (51-390), additional airframe cancelled. | |||
KC-97G
As KC-97F, tanker / transport convertible, fixed
wing mounted fuel tanks.
Produced
Boeing Seattle, Washington (BO)
| 51-7260 / 51-7271 | 16506 / 16517 | ||
| 52-826 / 52-938 | 16520 / 16632 | ||
| 52-2602 / 52-2806 | 16633 / 16837 | ||
| 53-106 / 53-365 | 16888 / 17147 | ||
| 53-3815, 53-3816 | 17148, 17149 | 592 | Total: 592 |
| 8 additional airframes cancelled. | |||
Model 377 Stratocruiser
Civil airliner version of the C-97, double deck cabin.
Produced 1947 - 1950
Boeing Seattle, Washington
| Model 377-10-19 | 15922 | 1 | |
| Model 377-10-26 | 15923 / 15942 | 20 | |
| Model 377-10-28 | 15943 / 15946 | 4 | |
| Model 377-10-29 | 15957 / 15964 | 8 | |
| Model 377-10-30 | 15947 / 15956 | 10 | |
| Model 377-10-32 | 15974 / 15979 | 6 | |
| Model 377-10-34 | 15965 / 15971 | 7 | Total: 056 |
|
Grand Total: 943 |
C-97 CONVERSIONS
C-97 Stratofreighter
USAF
| ZXC-97 | 1 | XC-97, 1948, redesignation as "obsolete". |
| JC-97A | 1 | C-97A, temporary designation for test work. |
| KC-97A | 3 | C-97A, temporary fitted with "Flying Boom" similar to KB-29P. |
| MC-97C | 1+ | C-97C, 1950-1953, medical evacuation aircraft during Korean War. |
| C-97D | 7 |
1 YC-97A / 1 YC-97B / 2 C-97A / 3 VC-97D, 1954, flying command posts and VIP transports, wing fuel pods. |
| VC-97D | 3 | 2 C-97A / 1 KC-97A, flying command posts, later redesignated C-97D. |
| C-97E | 1+ | KC-97E, cargo conversions. |
| C-97F | 158 | KC-97F, cargo conversions. |
| C-97G | 135 | KC-97G, 1963-1964, cargo conversions. |
| (EC-97G) | 3 | Redesignation of C-97G's for testing electronic equipment. |
| HC-97G | 29 |
KC-97G, search and rescue conversions, wing mounted fuel tanks. Conversions by Fairchild-Stratos Corp., Maryland. |
| (HC-97H) | 1+ | KC-97G, search and rescue conversions, equipment changes. |
| KC-97H | 1 | KC-97F, 1953, prototype single hose tanker conversion. |
| YC-97J | 2 |
Model 367-86-542 KC-97G(52-2693, 52-2762), 1955, turboprop engines. Conversions by Hayes Aircraft Co., Alabama. Original designations: YC-137, then YC-97H. |
| C-97K | 27 | KC-97G, passenger conversions, tanks removed, boom remained. |
| KC-97L | 82 | KC-97G, 1964-1977, conversions with auxiliary J47 jet engines fitted. |
Model 377 Stratocruiser
| 377 Super Stratocruiser | 10 | Pan Am aircraft with extra fuel capacity for Atlantic flights. |
| 377 (Cargo Conversion) | 11 | Conversions for overseas buyers. |
|
On Mark Engineering Co., California conversions: (under licence from Aero Spacelines Corp.) |
||
| 377-PG Pregnant Guppy | 1 | 1962, (c/n: 15925), rear fuselage detaches. |
| 377-SG Super Guppy | 1 |
1965, (c/n: 15938), hinged forward fuselage. Turboprop engine upgrade. |
| 377-MG Mini Guppy | 1 | 1967, (c/n: 15937), hinged rear fuselage. |
| Model 101 Mini Guppy | 2 |
1970, new c/n: 0001, 0002, hinged forward fuselage. Turboprop engine upgrade. |
| Model 201 Super Guppy | 4 |
1970-1983, new c/n: 0001 / 0004, hinged forward fuselage. Turboprop engine upgrade. |
BOEING B-50 SUPERFORTRESS
B-50 PRODUCTION
B-50A
Major upgrade of B-29, revised engines
and nacelles, higher tail.
Produced 1947
Boeing Seattle, Washington (BO)
| 46-002 / 46-060 | 15722 / 15780 | |
| 47-098 / 47-117 | 15782 / 15801 |
Total: 079 |
B-50B
As B-50A, strengthened airframe,
increased weights.
Produced 1949
Boeing Seattle, Washington (BO)
| 47-118 / 47-162 | 15802 / 15846 |
Total: 045 |
YB-50C
- Prototype for B-50C, cancelled.
Partly built airframe s/n: 46-061, c/n: 15781.
B-54
- 21 B-54A and 52 RB-54A, orders cancelled.
B-50D
As B-50B, frameless glass nose, oval upper turret,
underwing fuel tanks, refuelling receptacle.
Produced 1949 - 1950
Boeing Seattle, Washington (BO)
| 47-163 / 47-170 | 15847 / 15854 | |
| 48-046 / 48-112 | 15855 / 15921 | |
| 48-113 / 48-127 | 15994 / 16008 | |
| 49-260 / 49-391 | 16036 / 16167 |
Total: 222 |
TB-50H
As B-50D, unarmed crew trainer version.
Produced 1952 - 1953
Boeing Seattle, Washington (BO)
| 51-447 / 51-470 | 16465 / 16488 |
Total: 024 |
|
Grand Total: 370 |
B-50 CONVERSIONS
USAF
| TB-50A | 11 | B-50A, crew trainer conversions. |
| EB-50B | 1 | B-50B, test platform for B-47 landing gear. |
| RB-50B | 44 | B-50B, 1947, strategic reconn. conversion of all remaining B-50B's. |
| (RB-50E) | 14 | RB-50B, 1951, new sensors and photographic equipment. |
| (RB-50F) | 14 | RB-50B, 1951, SHORAN navigation radar. |
| (RB-50G) | 15 | RB-50B, 1951, mapping radar and new navaids. |
| DB-50D | 1 | B-50D, 1951-1955, launch platform for Bell Rascal missile programme. |
| KB-50D | 2 | 1 B-50D / 1 TB-50D, 1957, prototypes for the KB-50J / K tankers. |
| TB-50D | 11 | B-50D, crew trainer conversions. |
| (JTB-50D) | 1 | TB-50D, "Mothership" for X-7 / XQ-5 programmes. |
| WB-50D | 36 | B-50D, 1955-1967, weather reconnaissance conversions. |
| (JB-50D) | 1 | WB-50D, conversion for experimental work. |
| WB-50H | 1 | TB-50H, weather reconnaissance conversion, later to KB-50. |
| KB-50 | 136 | 112 B-50D / 24 TB-50H,
1955-1957, 3-hose tanker conversions. Conversions by Hayes Aircraft Co., Alabama. |
| (KB-50J) | 112 | KB-50(B-50D), 1957-1965, upgraded with 2 wing mounted jet engines. |
| (KB-50K) | 24 | KB-50(TB-50H), 1957-1965, upgrades to KB-50J standard. |
B-29 & Derivatives FOREIGN MANUFACTURE
RUSSIA
Tupolev Tu-4 "Bull"
Russian built, unlicenced version of the B-29, NATO codename:
"Bull".
3 B-29's (42-6256, 42-6358, 42-6365) and 1 B-29A (42-93829), captured
in Russia
in 1944.
Copied in metric form as the Tu-4. Original designation
was B-4.
Served 1949-1956, but flew in the reserves into the 1960's.
Produced 1946 - 1952
Tupolev Design Bureau, Moscow, Russia
| Tu-4 | 1947, "Bull", heavy bomber. |
Total: 847 |
|
Variants and Conversions: Tu-4A: 1+, nuclear bombers. Tu-4D: 1955, 300, transport conversion. Tu-4KS: 1951, 1+, test aircraft for KS-1 missile. Tu-4LL: 1950, 6, flying laboratory, engine test-beds. Tu-4N: 1952, 1+, aerial refuelling tanker. Tu-4NM: 1952, 6, drone launch carrier. Tu-4R: 1, strategic reconn. aircraft. Tu-4T: 1956, 1+, paratroop conversion. Tu-4TRZhK: liquid oxygen tanker. Tu-4UShS: 1950's, 1+, navigation trainer. |
||
| Tu-12 / Tu-70 | 1946, "Cart", civil passenger transport. |
Total: 001 |
| Tu-75 | 1950, "Cart", military transport. |
Total: 001 |
| Tu-80 | 1949, heavy bomber. |
Total: 001 |
| Tu-85 | 1951, "Barge", heavy bomber. |
Total: 001 |
|
Grand Total: 851 |