DOC B-29: Superfortress: Giant Bomber of World War 2 and Korea by Graham M. Simons in History

Review

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful. A must for WWII air buffsBy E. SuVery 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.1 of 1 people found the following review helpful. Look somewhere elseBy GearHeadNot particularly interesting text; and sadly lacking in photographs and illustrations.2 of 3 people found the following review helpful. This old aircraft just would't quit.By awayaThis 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.