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B-29 Superfortress: Giant Bomber of World War Two and Korea Kindle Edition

by Graham M. Simons (Author) Format: Kindle Edition
4.0 4.0 out of 5 stars 152 ratings
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“A well written history of a history-changing aircraft,” the bomber that carried the two atomic bombs that destroyed Hiroshima and Nagasaki in WWII (Aeromilitaria).

The Boeing B-29 Superfortress was a four-engined heavy bomber flown primarily by the United States in World War Two and the Korean War. The name “Superfortress” was derived from that of its well-known predecessor, the B–17 Flying Fortress. The B-29 was the progenitor of a series of Boeing-built bombers, reconnaissance aircraft, trainers and tankers including the variant, B-50 Superfortress.

The B-29 was one of the largest aircraft to see service during World War Two. A very advanced bomber for its time, it included features such as pressurized cabins, an electronic fire-control system and remote-controlled machine-gun turrets. Though it was designed as a high-altitude daytime bomber, in practice it actually flew more low-altitude nighttime incendiary bombing missions. It was the primary aircraft in the American firebombing campaign against Japan in the final months of World War Two. Unlike many other World War Two-era bombers, the B-29 remained in service long after the war ended, with a few even being employed as flying television transmitters. The type was finally retired in the early 1960s, with 3,960 aircraft in all built.

Without doubt there is a clear, strong requirement to “put the record straight” using primary source documentation to record the undoubted achievements alongside and in context with the shortcomings to the type’s design and operation that have otherwise received scant attention. The book covers all variants and is profusely illustrated.
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  1. Print length
    455 pages
  2. Language
    English
  3. Sticky notes
    On Kindle Scribe
  4. Publisher
    Pen & Sword Aviation
  5. Publication date
    September 19, 2012
  6. File size
    33701 KB
  7. Page Flip
    Enabled
  8. Word Wise
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  9. Enhanced typesetting
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Editorial Reviews

About the Author

English professional aviation writer, publisher and historian Graham M Simons is one of the founders of the world famous aviation museum at Duxford near Cambridge where his interest was piqued watching the making of the ‘Battle of Britain’ film there in the late 1960’s and from the days when you could go ‘aircraft spotting’ at London Heathrow and other airports.

Product details

  • ASIN ‏ : ‎ B00DN5V616
  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Pen & Sword Aviation (September 19, 2012)
  • Publication date ‏ : ‎ September 19, 2012
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • File size ‏ : ‎ 33701 KB
  • Text-to-Speech ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Screen Reader ‏ : ‎ Supported
  • Enhanced typesetting ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • X-Ray ‏ : ‎ Not Enabled
  • Word Wise ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Sticky notes ‏ : ‎ On Kindle Scribe
  • Print length ‏ : ‎ 455 pages
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.0 4.0 out of 5 stars 152 ratings

About the author

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Graham M. Simons

Graham M. Simons

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GRAHAM M. SIMONS was one of the founders of the world-famous aviation museum at Duxford near Cambridge where his interest was piqued watching the making of the film Battle of Britain there in the late 1960s. From this, and with an engineering background, he progressed to membership of a number of aviation societies, including sitting on the British Aviation Preservation Council, eventually taking the position of Engineering Director with one group. There he was responsible for overseeing the restoration of a de Havilland DH89 Dragon Rapide airliner to flying condition and placing this aircraft – with official approval – in the colours and markings of the first aircraft of what was then the King’s Flight. Graham combines his love of writing with his skills in production to create and publish aviation histories focused on a variety of subjects.

Customer reviews

4 out of 5 stars
4 out of 5
152 global ratings

Top reviews from the United States

awaya
5.0 out of 5 stars This old aircraft just would't quit.
Reviewed in the United States on April 20, 2016
Verified Purchase
This was a very accurate book. The author really knew what he was writing about. The old B29 worked for the USAF into the early 1960's. Although it took its mods quite well it had it's growing pains to the end. The aircraft was designed as a four engine bomber to end WW2. like described in the book the long haul from the islands to Japan and back was a continual problem for the engines. This made for exciting trip and a good engineer could for the most part get the aircraft back home. If the pilot requested (or ordered) the engineer to give him max power he might not have got it. Those engines belonged to the engineer and he knew full well how much he could push them. They could burn an engine up by pushing is too hard. I was on the approach end of the runway at Yokota AFB in Japan in the 60's and what this author word about was entirely factual. Remember that wonderful old aircraft was designed as a bomber with 4 piston driven engines. Toward the end of the wings they hung on a jet engine and out at the very wing tips they fastened a hose reel for use when the aircraft was used as a tanker to refuel mainly fighters. Over all this was a very good book and if you like this type book you wont be able to put it down.
5 people found this helpful
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Scott
4.0 out of 5 stars Good read but what is with all the misspelled words?
Reviewed in the United States on January 29, 2016
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Nice read Could have been written better but overall enjoyable Good balance of technical as well as combat history Should have had a proof reader and spell checker !
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E. Su
5.0 out of 5 stars A must for WWII air buffs
Reviewed in the United States on December 7, 2013
Verified Purchase
Very detailed, in depth history of the Superfortress. Gives a lot of minutiae. I'm not that interested in every single person involved with the development of an airplane but it was very interesting and not overwhelming (not boring). I also liked the history of the B-29 in Korea, something I hadn't read about before. The description of the various prototypes and other modified B-29s and the development of the B-50 was also excellent.
4 people found this helpful
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Robert
3.0 out of 5 stars A good historical read.
Reviewed in the United States on July 16, 2014
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I enjoyed the background regarding the development of the B29 as well as the stories about its problems and actions in the war. From must perspective there was a bit too much emphasis on technical facts. The average reader could easily become lost in these technical facts.
One person found this helpful
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Amazon Customer
4.0 out of 5 stars Four Stars
Reviewed in the United States on August 12, 2014
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Another great story pertaining to WWII airplanes. Well written.
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Douglas Summers
5.0 out of 5 stars Outstanding book. Read it in two days and never dozed off once
Reviewed in the United States on October 27, 2019
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Engrossing read with no slow spots. True aviation read for any enthusiasts and students of World War Two Aviation History
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GearHead
2.0 out of 5 stars Look somewhere else
Reviewed in the United States on February 17, 2017
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Not particularly interesting text, and sadly lacking in photographs and illustrations.
One person found this helpful
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alan spencer
4.0 out of 5 stars B-29 Superfortress
Reviewed in the United States on August 8, 2014
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A Great and informative read,very good aircraft model identification and stories ww2 and Korean wars and the demands of the wars.
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Top reviews from other countries

Mr M RUSHBROOKE
5.0 out of 5 stars Condition and delivery time.Usual
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on July 22, 2020
Verified Purchase
Quality of text and information therein well up to previous books by the author.
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Bernd
4.0 out of 5 stars Informativ
Reviewed in Germany on February 5, 2014
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Diesese Buch gibt einen Überblick Über Entwicklung und Einsatz der B-29. Nur die Einsatzhistorie hätte vertieft werden können. Trotzdem empfehlenswert.
This book gives a reasonable overview of the developement and use of the B-29. The history of assignements and missions I would have to prefered to be more in depth. Recommendable.
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Marilyn
3.0 out of 5 stars Three Stars
Reviewed in Australia on July 14, 2015
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interesting, but a little disjointed as pictures and annotations often on seperate epages.
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Keith Mahoney
4.0 out of 5 stars Good and readable history of this famous aircraft.
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on October 7, 2020
Verified Purchase
The book could have done with more photographs and, perhaps a more in depth coverage of the Crimean war,but it is still an informative and nice book.
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Tuppence
3.0 out of 5 stars Three Stars
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on September 22, 2017
Verified Purchase
Not enough technical detail
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