b29b

Way cool pic

[http://www.flickr.com/photos/63001456@N08] It made a trip from Hawaii to Cairo Egypt in what I think was a non stop trip

(U.S. Air Force Fact Sheet) Boeing B-29B-60-BA (S/N 44-84061) "Pacusan Dreamboat." On Oct. 4-6, 1946, this B-29 with Col. Irvine and his crew made an unrefueled non-stop 9,500-mile flight from Honolulu to Cairo, Egypt, over the Arctic regions in 39 hours, 36 minutes. The route was chosen for its hazards of winter weather and complicated navigation and communications problems. The Boeing B-29B was a modification of the basic B-29 design for use in the Pacific during World War II for low-level bombing raids against Japan. Fighter opposition over Japan was minimal by late 1944 and flak was the most serious threat to U.S. bombers. The B-29B had all defensive armament removed except for the tail turret. The 20mm cannon was removed and the two .50-cal. machine guns were aided by the installation of an AN/APG-15B radar fire control system. Bell aircraft built 311 -B models at their Marietta, Ga., plant between January and September 1945.

Info for the EB-29B Superfortress from www.joebaugher.com/usaf_serials/1944_6.html 44-84111 Bell-Atlanta B-29B-65-BA Superfortress Built under licence by Bell Aircraft Company, Marietta, Atlanta, GA Delivered to USAAF 18Aug45. Assigned to 2759th AFs Base Unit, Muroc Field, CA Modified by McDonnell, St Louis late 1947 to carry, launch and retrieve the XP-85 Goblin. Designated EB-29B Flown from St Louis to Muroc AFB, CA 26May48. Named ‘Monstro’ [after the giant whale that swallowed Pinocchio] Assigned to HQ Squadron, Eglin AFB, FL. Accident 7Sep51 due to fire at Eglin AFB, FL Assigned to AF Armament Center, Eglin AFB, FL Damaged 5Dec52 on the ground at Eglin AFB, FL. Reclaimed at Eglin AFB, FL 14Jul54