Eventually Boeing’s Model 345 design was approved by Air Corps Chief of Staff General Harley “Hap” Arnold on June 14, 1940, and the aircraft’s prototype made its first flight on September 21, 1942. In January 1940, the Air Corps published a requirement for a bomber capable of flying at 400 mph and carrying 10 tons of bombs with a 2,500-mile combat radius. This sinusoidal shaped aircraft followed the B-17 and B-24 bombers used by the US Army Air Forces (USAAF). Its sleek, aerodynamic lines and cutting-edge technological features were a significant leap in aviation design. The Boeing B-29 Superfortress is an iconic aircraft that symbolizes American ingenuity, capability, and aviation prowess. Note the distinct absence of the usual defensive turrets normally seen with two on the top and bottom of the fuselage. Top Photo: Factory-fresh “Silverplate” B-29 bombers on the flight line.
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