Three Bombers The B 29 example essay topic

394 words
American bombers helped turn the war in favor of the United States. Without bombers America would have never helped defeat the enemy. The three main bombers that were used were the B-17 Flying Fortress, the B-24 Liberator, and the B-29 Super Fortress. These bombers were the result of hard working American laborers. The B-17 Flying Fortress was the most widely used bomber in the war.

In June of 1934 Boeing started design model 229 (XB -17). On July 28, 1935 the first prototype flew. The first prototype crashed during its evaluation flight. The crash was linked to human error, not a design error.

In 1937 the first B-17's were being used as high-altitude and long-range bombers. The new Boeing aircraft was the most capable bomber at the time. In 1938 the Model 32 was created to try and improve on the performance of the B-17. The Model 32 was created as a flying boat, and had the first tricycle landing gear on an American bomber. The B-24 made its first flight on December 29, 1939. France ordered many B-24's, but before they were built Germany overran France.

The planes that were built for France were diverted to Britain as LB -30's. The US refortified the bombers with rear tail guns and a top turrets. The B -29 Super Fortress was designed as a replacement for the B-17 and the B-24. The first B -29 made its maiden flight on September 21, 1942.

In 1939 it was decided the B -29 would not be used in Europe, it was strictly an American bomber. The B -29's were redirected towards the attack on Japan. The B-29 was used to drop the nuclear bomb on Hiroshima and Nagasaki during the raid on Japan. The B-29 was modified as the first aerial tankers. The B -29 is said to be the most valued American bomber that was used during WWII.

All of the American bombers were important to the war effort. But, the B-17, the B-29, and the B-24 played a vital role in defeating the enemy. Out of these three bombers the B-29 was by far the most important because it put Japan, one of the world powers, out of commission.

Bibliography

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World War Two Combat Planes". Ace Pilots. 2003.
Boeing B-29 "Super fortress". " USAF Museum. 20 April, 2002.
B-24 Liberator". American Airpower Heritage Museum. July 30, 2001.