With the B-29’s adaptability in terms of ordnance, the following options exemplify only a few of the payload configurations that were available: 20x500 Ibs, 40x500 Ibs, 18x1000 Ibs or 8x2000 Ibs bombs. During the war, its main area of operations was the Pacific theater, specifically around the Japanese islands and homeland. It also saw combat service in the Korean War and with a small detachment of the R.A.F. These were known as the “Washington B Mk. 1”. 

The B-29 follows the B-24 Liberator in the U.S. bomber branch, and is the last American propeller powered bomber in the US Tech Tree. It is one of the most powerful and heavily armed bombers in War Thunder. It houses five turrets, each armed with two 0.5” (12.7mm) machine guns. Two turrets are situated atop the aircraft, while another two are on the belly of the fuselage. The final and last turret is situated in the tail, and this turret could only be accessed by the crew when the plane was climbing and/or descending due to it having its own pressurised compartment.

In-game, the B-29 has a favourable top speed due to its four high performance engines, which also allow it to climb and descend quickly. This helps it to evade enemy interceptors, and allows it to return to its base more successfully. When flying the B-29, climb towards your target. As you approach, level off, line up with your target, and drop your bombs. Depending on your payload, you should have enough to destroy at least two bases and you may even have some remaining to knock out enemy bunkers and/or ground vehicles.

Once your bombing run is complete, start descending towards your airfield; enemy fighters might be trying to find you so you should be even more alert now than before. The B-29 has one of the most powerful defensive systems installed on any bomber, so you should be able to defend yourself reasonably well, unless it is a head on attack where you will have very limited protection. You must also combine it with a defensive style of flying to utilise it to its full potential; the B-29 offers great handling for its size. Despite this, be very careful when you enter a dive. It is just as prone as any other aircraft to suffering structural damage if its limitations are exceeded.

During World War 2, the B-29 completed over 20,000 sorties with an estimated 180,000 tons of bombs dropped, as well as two atomic bombs. A total of number of 3,970 were built and delivered to the USAAF. Perhaps the most famous “copy” of the war was the Tu-4. Although outwardly looking identical, this Soviet “B-29” was converted to metric making it unique. Other aircraft derived from the B-29 include the B-50, C-97, KC-97, 377 Stratocruiser, and NASA’s own Guppy cargo carriers.

The B-29 post-war also helped in the scientific, research, and development fields. They would play a key role in hurricane hunting and storm chasing which allowed it to collect key information about storm patterns, and helped to improve and to develop new radar systems such as the “sun tracker”. It was also the aircraft that carried the supersonic test aircraft Bell X-1 into the air. The last American B-29 squadron was retired in the 1960’s. Today one called “Fifi”still flies at air show circuits. It is hoped another named “Doc” will soon join her.

The War Thunder Team