B-29 air speed

[Widewing]

The other evening, I took up a single B-29. I rarely fly big bombers, and had never flown the B-29 in the MA.

I climbed out to 27,000 feet and headed about three sectors into enemy territory. I bombed enemy fighter hangers at several bases, and once empty, headed for a friendly base. Level at 27k, I had several sectors to let the B-29 inch up to its maximum speed. It reached 360 mph... That was in keeping with what I expected. Then, it pushed up to 370 mph, this seemed a little fast, but the plane was light, with only about 25 minutes of fuel remaining. When I hit 380 mph, I was surprised. That's exceptionally fast.

I spotted a Spitfire off of my right wing, angling in to get behind me (foolish, IMHO). It turned in behind and began a tail chase, about 4.0k behind. However, the range steadily opened up until beyond icon distance. Eventually, the Spitfire pilot gave up.

I don't have a flight test data for the B-29 to cross reference, but 380 mph seems mighty fast to me.....

[Karnak]

The number I usually see for the B-29 is 356mph, but I haven't really done much in the way of digging for B-29 performance data.  380mph seems more in line with what I'd expect for a B-29 with all the turrets other than the tail turret removed.

[Wmaker]

From an earlier thread...

And that actually seems to be knots instead of miles...  

http://bbs.hitechcreations.com/smf/index.php/topic,299570.0.html

...at least it mentions "kn" as the unit.

That's 400mph right there...

It's true that the "common" figure I've always attached with the B-29 is 357mph@25000ft. At 5000ft higher the air resistance is obviously less and I've read that the turbos were able to maintain sea level hp up to 33000ft (I have to say I found that quite surprising. ).

IIRC B-29 still holds the speed record for an aircraft with four piston engines. I know there are faster aircraft with four piston engines but they haven't recorded their speeds for FAI. On top of my head DC-7 is probably the worlds fastest aircraft with four piston engines.

[Wmaker]

On top of my head DC-7 is probably the worlds fastest aircraft with four piston engines.

Stupid me, forgot Republic XF-12 Rainbow.

[save]

the problem I see with buffs is that you dont go 100% throttle when you are in a formation, tried it IRL so many times, with smaller stuff

[SmokinLoon]

The b29 is a fast bird, no doubt.  The sad thing is in AH the B29 revs up to its max speed inbound to its target and (usually) bombs at max speed and then at max speed it RTB's.  Actually, it is a sad thing all the way around in AH that bombers do that.  Bombers did NOT bomb at full throttle.  230 mph was common place.

RTB'in was and is a different story.

That is precisely the reason I'll vouch for a maximum bombing speed for level bombers.

[Stoney]

230 mph was common place.

True or Indicated?

[bj229r]

The b29 is a fast bird, no doubt.  The sad thing is in AH the B29 revs up to its max speed inbound to its target and (usually) bombs at max speed and then at max speed it RTB's.  Actually, it is a sad thing all the way around in AH that bombers do that.  Bombers did NOT bomb at full throttle.  230 mph was common place.

RTB'in was and is a different story.

That is precisely the reason I'll vouch for a maximum bombing speed for level bombers.

Regardless of what buff I'm using, I always bomb at 2/3 throttle, only way to ensure steady speed

[lyric1]

Regardless of what buff I'm using, I always bomb at 2/3 throttle, only way to ensure steady speed

Really? Never had a problem with full throttle bombing.

[RTHolmes]

calibrating at max speed isnt a great idea because if you have to maneuver and lose some speed those last 5mph take along time to make up, which can mean one of those panic last minute calibrations. I usually calibrate to ~20mph under max, much easier to keep it there

True or Indicated?

for most buffs TAS surely? iirc IAS for 17s went as low as 180.

[lyric1]

calibrating at max speed isnt a great idea because if you have to maneuver and lose some speed those last 5mph take along time to make up

Don't have that problem either?

[colmbo]

for most buffs TAS surely? iirc IAS for 17s went as low as 180.

Even the light B-17 I flew for Collings didn't indicate 180...closer to 160-165.  A WWII B-17 guy said it "was a 150 mph airplane -- climbed at 150, cruised at 150 and descended at 150".

[Stoney]

My biggest point in posing that question was to encourage people to (1) know the difference and (2) make sure that they include the specific speed when they make those kinds of statements.

[RTHolmes]

Even the light B-17 I flew for Collings didn't indicate 180...closer to 160-165.  A WWII B-17 guy said it "was a 150 mph airplane -- climbed at 150, cruised at 150 and descended at 150".

thx, looking back at my previous research on this 150-160 IAS was typical for 17s/18s.

[Stoney]

thx, looking back at my previous research on this 150-160 IAS was typical for 17s/18s.

And, if we convert 160 mph IAS at 24,000 feet and standard conditions, we get around 230 mph TAS.