Color pictures Korean War B-29's
Sat Dec 01, 2007 9:09 pm
Enjoy.
Mike
Mike
Sat Dec 01, 2007 9:12 pm
it would seem like by tat time tyhey would of got rid of the turrets and replaced them with air fighter cover, which could take down attckers more safely at a greater range. I guess the crews felt safer being able to throw their own lead, eh?
Sun Dec 02, 2007 10:18 am
muddyboots,
The B-29s kept the turrets throughout the Korean War, except for some specialized Recon and Special Ops birds. In addition, some units added a third .50 in the tail turret similar to the B-29B but without the APG-15 radar. At the start of the war the missions were not as heavily resisted by Communist fighters, but after the Chinese and Russians decided to commit Mig 15s things went downhill fast for the bombers. Also, we couldn't immediately rotate F-86 units in there to run escort, and they had range issues when they did arrive. After a period of escalating losses, the Bomber Command shifted to night bombing missions and losses subsided to some extent.
Thanks for posting the photos, Mike!
Scott
The B-29s kept the turrets throughout the Korean War, except for some specialized Recon and Special Ops birds. In addition, some units added a third .50 in the tail turret similar to the B-29B but without the APG-15 radar. At the start of the war the missions were not as heavily resisted by Communist fighters, but after the Chinese and Russians decided to commit Mig 15s things went downhill fast for the bombers. Also, we couldn't immediately rotate F-86 units in there to run escort, and they had range issues when they did arrive. After a period of escalating losses, the Bomber Command shifted to night bombing missions and losses subsided to some extent.
Thanks for posting the photos, Mike!
Scott