"TOP SECRET" view only with security clearance ...

[gary1954]

Post War, a need to read is a book entitled "The Day We Bombed Utah...America's Worst Kept Secret" in one month the were 28 above ground nuclear bomb tests.
the activity of the government during this period actually caused Howard R. Hughes to blow a head-gasket and move from Vegas to the Bahamas Islands, and that too, is another story.

[The Inspector]

Post War, a need to read is a book entitled "The Day We Bombed Utah...America's Worst Kept Secret" in one month the were 28 above ground nuclear bomb tests.
the activity of the government during this period actually caused Howard R. Hughes to blow a head-gasket and move from Vegas to the Bahamas Islands, and that too, is another story.

Yeah, but wasn't Howard buying up Vegas to sell as beach front property after 'the BIG ONE' in California??

[dbrown]

A question for the group.......

in this video:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wj6Iq-A5eWk

At 3:42 is appears that Boxcar is backing up under it's own power, with a few guys strong-arming the nose wheel to get the bomber in the right spot.



Did the B-29 have reverse pitch props?

Cheers

DB

[Chappie]

A question for the group.......

in this video:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wj6Iq-A5eWk

At 3:42 is appears that Boxcar is backing up under it's own power, with a few guys strong-arming the nose wheel to get the bomber in the right spot.



Did the B-29 have reverse pitch props?

Cheers

DB

I believe the Curtiss electric propellers were reversible on all the Silverplate B-29s.

Chappie

[sandiego89]

A question for the group.......

in this video:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wj6Iq-A5eWk

At 3:42 is appears that Boxcar is backing up under it's own power, with a few guys strong-arming the nose wheel to get the bomber in the right spot.



Did the B-29 have reverse pitch props?

Cheers

DB

I believe the Curtiss electric propellers were reversible on all the Silverplate B-29s.

Chappie

To further clarify, if I recall correctly, not just silverplate B-29's had the reversable curtis elctric props, other late production versions did as well. All the original silverplate B-29s had them and came from the Martin Omaha plant soon before the 509th deployed to Tinian. The props were a new development on the B-29 and Col Tibbits wanted them. Quite a few B-29's had been lost due to engine problems on take off, and he wanted the extra stopping power.

I have always been interested in the Bock's car video backing up over the pit. It would seem that using a tractor (like was used by Enola Gay in this thread) would be easier and cause less strain on the aircraft. No nose gear sterring, thus they guys on the nose wheel.

[omega7]

[i]>The props were a new development on the B-29 and Col Tibbits wanted them.[/i]

He did, but they were originaly applied to the Army model B-32. Fifty sets of fuel injected/reversible prop engines (200 of each) were earmarked for Omaha with the cancellation of the B-32 program. –Adrian

[Dave Downs]

OK - what is the correct tail code for 'ENOLA GAY"?

I've only seen the 'Circle R', (In fact, this is the first time I recall seeing 'Circle Forward Arrow') but 2 of the Tinian photos show the 'Circle Forward Arrow' on 'ENOLA GAY' as well as on 'BOCK'S CAR' while aircraft as displayed have 'Circle R' on 'ENOLA GAY' and 'Circle Forward Arrow' on 'BOCK'S CAR'

[Mark Allen M]

Dave here's how I understand it per wiki:
And something I didn't realize here or know before. Thanks for pointing that out, interesting.

"Captain Robert A. Lewis, took delivery of the bomber and flew it from Omaha to the 509th's base at Wendover Army Air Field, Utah, on 14 June 1945.
Thirteen days later, the aircraft left Wendover for Guam, where it received a bomb-bay modification, and flew to North Field, Tinian, on 6 July. It was initially given the Victor (squadron-assigned identification) number 12, but on 1 August, was given the circle R tail markings of the 6th Bombardment Group as a security measure and had its Victor number changed to 82 to avoid misidentification with actual 6th Bombardment Group aircraft."

"The 509th Composite Group, sent to Tinian to drop the atomic bomb, was assigned to the 313th Bomb Wing. Consisting of a single squadron, its tail marking was a circle outline around an arrowhead pointing forward, but while flying combat missions its fifteen B-29's used the tail markings of other groups and wings as a security measure. Richard H. Campbell, in The Silverplate Bombers, reports that XXI Bomber Command feared that Japanese survivors on Tinian were observing 509th operations, which had been quite extensive before August 1, and reporting them by clandestine radio to Tokyo.

The 509th repainted the tail identifier with those of four XXI Bomber Command groups already in combat, and altered victor numbers to avoid misidentification with actual aircraft already bearing the numbers. New victor numbers 82, 89, 90, and 91 (including the Enola Gay) carried the markings of the 6th Bomb Group (Circle R); victors 71, 72, 73, and 84 those of the 497th Bomb Group (large "A"); victors 77, 85, 86, and 88 those of the 444th Bomb Group (triangle N); and victors 83, 94, and 95 those of the 39th Bomb Group (square P)."

[J. Thompson]

Anyone have either more, or un-seen photos of B-29-35-MO 44-27301 “STRAIGHT FLUSH”, that provided the recon ahead of the Bomb, 8/6/45 ?

Or B-29-45-MO, 44-86291 “NECESSARY EVIL”


- Joseph

[APG85]

Straight Flush

[ianH]

Astonishing pictures Mark, your posts are always fascinating. Interesting to see in the 'front' loading photo there appears to be a plumb bob being used to align the bomb. A juxtaposition of very old and very new technology.

[Mark Allen M]

A couple new (to me anyway) photos of "Enola Gay", anyone able to read what's on her in the second photo? I almost have it, but ... not so much as to guess.

[Champ driver]

It looks like "First Atomic Bomb - Hiroshima August 6 1945, although Hiroshima is kind of fuzzy.

[Adam Kline]

I met someone who I thought was a relative of mine who claimed to have worked on the loading of the bomb in Tinnian. His last name was Stawarz. Are their any ground crew records?

[APG85]

It looks like "First Atomic Bomb - Hiroshima August 6 1945, although Hiroshima is kind of fuzzy.

Those markings were on the plane when I saw it in storage in the Garber facility in the early 80's. There was also a listing of the ground crew on the right side if I remember correctly...