B-29 question

[caldera]

What is the historical damage sustainability of the B-29?  Was it B-17/Lancaster tough or a zippo like the B-24?

[minke]

I was under the impression that it was tough as nails except for the engines, they could burn nicely

[Stoney]

I was under the impression that it was tough as nails except for the engines, they could burn nicely

The engines had a reputation for burning because they were tightly cowled and had a propensity for generating a lot of heat on the back cylinders.  The accessory cases were made out of magnesium to save weight, as were many of the U.S. radial-powered fighter engines.  If a fire started in the back of the engine compartment, and the accessory case caught fire, it was an issue, as magnesium is highly flammable once it starts, and it was located very close to the main wing spar.  That, however, is not a "damage" issue, as any of the radial engined U.S. fighters shared the magnesium accessory case construction--they just didn't have the cooling issues the B-29 had.  Given it shared the same engineering department as the B-17, I'd expect it to be every bit as tough as the Superfortress, just bigger.  I'd be suprised if the B-29, when introduced to the game, will be a "roman candle" type target.

[caldera]

The fuselage and tail look like fine.  I was thinking more of the wings.  Aren't they the same wing style as the B-24?  Thought the B-24's problem was something about oval shaped fuel lines (necessitated by the wing shape) that didn't seal so well (IIRC).
One could assume that that issue would have been rectified for the B-29.  But you know what happens when you assume.

[Stoney]

The fuselage and tail look like fine.  I was thinking more of the wings.  Aren't they the same wing style as the B-24?  Thought the B-24's problem was something about oval shaped fuel lines (necessitated by the wing shape) that didn't seal so well (IIRC).
One could assume that that issue would have been rectified for the B-29.  But you know what happens when you assume.

Two different aircraft, two different manufacturers, two different wing designs. 

[Charge]

"I'd be suprised if the B-29, when introduced to the game, will be a "roman candle" type target."

Well, I recall reading an anecdote of a P-61 Black Widow pilot who was sent to shoot down a B29 which was still flying after her crew had bailed. I recall that emptying all the arsenal he had with him had practically no immediate effect on B29. And that is 4 x Hisso -and no defensive fire to distract aiming.

-C+

[Reschke]

"I'd be suprised if the B-29, when introduced to the game, will be a "roman candle" type target."

Well, I recall reading an anecdote of a P-61 Black Widow pilot who was sent to shoot down a B29 which was still flying after her crew had bailed. I recall that emptying all the arsenal he had with him had practically no immediate effect on B29. And that is 4 x Hisso -and no defensive fire to distract aiming.

-C+

Well did he get credit for the kill when the plane went down due to running out of fuel or what? He should have been barking at the bosses to give him credit to help his score...otherwise I call BS.

[Soulyss]

I asked my grandpa about the B-29's engines - he was flying them at the end of and right after the war and he told me the last time he was behind the controls of an airplane it was a B-29 and he got a warning light/indicator that there was something wrong with one of the engines.  They were just about on the ground so he decided to finish the landing, his way of informing the crew was to tell them that they would be on the ground soon but they were all going to have to be pretty damned quick if they wanted to beat him out of the airplane.

[Baumer]

According to Air Force statistics XX Bomber Command lost 80 B-29's between Jun-44 and Aug-45

22 were lost due to enemy fighters
7 were lost due to enemy anti-aircraft fire
51 were lost due to mechanical, operational, or other accidents.

Also, XX bomber Command reported the following damage incidents due to all causes

419 major damage incidents between Jun-44 and Aug-45
2,267 minor damage incidents between Jun-44 and Aug-45 

It looks like the B-29 was pretty durable, but then again, statistics can be misleading.

[JOACH1M]

I'm quite nervous for the b29, I think it might be a plane to knock half a wing off with a couple taters. That is if u hit the wing tips.

[LLogann]

I'm with Stoney, Magnesium is the root of all evil.  Dumbest idea we ever had!

[Stoney]

I'm with Stoney, Magnesium is the root of all evil.  Dumbest idea we ever had!

Well, I suppose it works well enough if you get some air back there to keep the valve stems from becoming projectiles...

[Tyrannis]

Two different aircraft, two different manufacturers, two different wing designs. 

wait...so boing didnt design the b24 and/or b29?....

wow, i feel so stupid right now. 

[EDO43]

Boeing designed the B-17 and the B-29.  Consolidated designed the B-24.

[Tyrannis]

Boeing designed the B-17 and the B-29.  Consolidated designed the B-24.

oh, i allways thought the B stood for boing...