Birds From Hell, by Wilbur H. Morrison

Birds From Hell: History of the B-29, by Wilbur H. Morrison
Hellgate Press, 2001
Oversize, 271 pages, plus 18 pages of b&w photos, bibliography. No index.
Library: 940.54 MOR

Description
The B-29 Superfortress. It was powered by four Wright R-3350-23 Duplex CYclone eighteen cylinder, air-cooled radial engines, each with two turbosuperchargers, capable of delivering 2200 horsepower at takeoff. It could reach an altitude of 20,000 feet in 38 minutes, a top speed of 375 mph at 30,000 feet, with a maximum range of 3,250 miles when carrying 5,000 pounds of bombs. It had pressurized cabins, 15,000 feet of wiring, remote control armaments, the largest propellers ever installed on a production airplane, and a price tag that eventually reached $1 million per plane.

The B-29 Superfortress was developed in 1940 as an eventual replacement for the B-17 and B-24. THe first one built made its maiden flight on September 21, 1942. In 1943, the decision was made to base the long-range bomber solely in the Pacific Theater where it was particularly suited for the lng over-water flights necessary to attack the Japanese homeland from bases in China, Saipan, Guam and Tinian.

As many as 1,000 Superfortresses as a time bombed Tokyo, destroying large parts of the city. Finally, on August 6, 1945, the B-29 Enola Gay dropped the world's first atomic bomb on Hiroshima. Three days later, the B-29 Bockscar dropped a second atomic bomb on Nagasaki. Shortly thereafter, Japan surrendered.

Table of Contents
Acknowledgments
Preface

Part I - The Superfortress is born
Introduction
1. Hangar Queens
2. A B-29 program in shambles
3. The Battle of Kansas

Part II - CBI Operations
4. All alone over enemy territory
5. "Tonight we bomb Japan!"
6. Armold Fires Wolfe
7. LeMay Assumes Command
8. Pin-Point Bombing
9. "Pisspoor bananas! Chickenshit coconuts!"
10. The Hellbirds Lament
11. Incendiary Attack devastates Tokyo.

Part III-Tinian
12. Medal of Honor
13. A Proud Beginning
14. "When is this war going to be over?"
15. Tick, tick, tick
16. "My God!"
17. "The War is Over
18. Mission Accomplished

Epilogue
Bibliography




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