3 Silverplate B-29's At China Lake

[B-25 C]

What is a Silverplate / Saddletree B-29 ?

[Steve Nelson]

Not sure about Saddletree, but Silverplate was the code name for the B-29s of the 509th Composite Group specially modified for the nuclear strikes on Japan.

SN

[B-25 C]

Not sure about Saddletree, but Silverplate was the code name for the B-29s of the 509th Composite Group specially modified for the nuclear strikes on Japan.

SN

Thanks Steve
I'm never to old to learn something.

[APG85]

Saddletree replaced the name Silverplate when it became compromised...

[wendovertom]

It is my understanding that Silverplate was for the nuclear strike against Japan - name never was "compromised". Saddletree was the project name for the post war Bikini nuclear tests. Not that it makes any difference.

BTW - "Up and Atom" was George Marquardt's plane - he ended up living most of his life here in Utah - passed away several years ago He and his wife are really nice people.

Tom P.

[Second Air Force]

APG85's correct: Silverplate was the code name originally used by Col. Tibbets and the 509th for the delivery system component of the Manhattan Project. It eventually became the name of the modified B-29s, and was security-compromised. Saddletree was the new name, and applied to both the B-29 and B-36 nuclear equipment modifications. In addition you'll sometimes see GEM (Global Electronics Modernization) associated with the Saddletree program.

Here's an example of how Tibbets was able to use the Silverplate code word: The 509th was in need of some C-54s, and Col Tibbets was told to "take a number" as there was a great need in ATC for the transports. Someone reminded him of the code word, and when he re-ordered the airplanes using Silverplate six new C-54s were almost immediately delivered, becoming part of the 320th Troop Carrier Squadron, the "Green Hornets".

[retroaviation]

It's true that I found an unidentified handle inside of FIFI, that I was told was an emergency release for nukes, but without documentation, there is simply no way to prove it. In NO WAY was I ever suggesting that FIFI was a Silverplate aircraft. However, there is a slight possibility that it MAY have been used as a post war, practice plane for dropping/testing nukes. I started looking into that when I was working on the airplane but it just fell off my radar and I never looked any further. Maybe Dave Miller will post a picture of the handle for y'all to see.

Gary

[APG85]

Is the handle still installed?

[retroaviation]

Is the handle still installed?

Yes.

[Chris Brame]

Hope nobody minds this old thread coming up again, but this video has a shot of 44-86291 Necessary Evil in its later guise as a target tug at Yuma circa 1955 (it shows up at 5:07):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=90JXqlnas00

Once again a case of "found it while looking for something else".

[Chappie]

Cool footage in a hilarious video.


Chappie

[The Inspector]

If you can find Pt. 1, it's just as funny as Pt.2 was-Geiger is now Spokane International but still I.D'd on your luggage as GEG

[AviaS199]

I'd recommend the book "Enola Gay," by Gordon Thomas and Max Morgan Witts. Probably the best book about the Hiroshima and Nagasaki missions. A real page-turner. Some years later, a so-so Made For TV movie was based on the book, and had some decent B-29 ground and aerial footage.

The book gives several examples of how the code word "Silverplate" could open just about any door. There is also a somewhat grimly amusing account of the group adjusting to life at Wendover.

[wingman1]

Here are a few China Lake B-29s............

does anyone have an ID or serial number on those B-29's?