Bombers in the Boneyard…Image No.1: Boeing B-47 Stratojets
American Warplanes of the Inter-War Years…#1:
A Boeing P-26 Peashooter in formation with a Boeing YB-9 bomber
Avalon 2013…Australian International Air Show Pictures #2:
A formation of four RAAF F/A-18F Super Hornets
Well folks, the poll for the best multi-engined Allied bomber has now closed and the winner (by a country mile) was the De Havilland Mosquito. As can be seen by the votes shown above the Mossie came first, with the Boeing B-17 in second place with 8 votes and the Avro Lancaster third with 6. I must admit I am a little surprised at the result, as I would have expected both the Lancaster and B-29 to feature higher up the poll. Also it is no surprise that the Tupolev Tu-2 and LeO-451 failed to register a vote (shame no one could put in their choice for the Wimpey a.k.a. Wellington). Thanks for all who voted and there will be another poll along shortly.
After 10 days votes here are the current top three choices:
1. The De Havilland Mosquito (15 votes)
2. The Boeing B-17 Flying Fortress (7 votes)
3. The Avro Lancaster (6 votes)
The Vickers Wellington, Tupolev Tu-2 and the LeO-45 have nil votes and there have been two ‘others’ (one for ‘not the Lancaster’ and one for the Ilyushin Il-2 Sturmovik which was of course single engined).
Final photo for Strategic Air Command Sunday…Boeing B-52 Stratofortress at readiness (with KC-135s, E-3s and F-22s)
The Boeing B-29 Superfortress
Arguably the apogee of strategic bomber design from World War II and famous for being the type that delivered the only two atomic bombs ever dropped in war, the B-29 was a unique and revolutionary aircraft. Being able to deliver up to 9,000 kgs of bombs over trans-oceanic or trans-continental sorties, the Superfortress was able to fly with more destructive power over a longer distance than any other aircraft of WWII. Used solely in the bombing offensive over Japan in the last two years of the war, the importance of the B-29 was such that it even formed part of the overall American strategy in its Pacific operations. Used initially in a high altitude precision strategic bombing role, the B-29 was switched to night time incendiary bombing raids with devastating effect (such as the disastrous Tokyo fire storm raids culminating in Operation Meetinghouse). Then with Enola Gay and Bocks Car B-29s dropped the two atom bombs that helped end the Second World War.
Whilst the B-29 was used in combat only by the Americans during WWII in the Pacific, the type saw service long after the war ended, forming the initial backbone of SAC and extensive use in the Korean War. Before the RAF introduced the Canberra the B-29 (as the Boeing Washington) was its long range nuclear bomber whilst the Soviets actually reverse engineered damaged and impounded B-29s to create the Tupolev Tu4.
If you wish to vote for the B-29 go to this link here.
The Boeing B-17 Flying Fortress
The sixth voting option in the Wings of War December poll, looking to find the best multi-engined bomber of World War II to serve with the Allies is the legendary B-17.
The B-17 is synonymous with the American daylight bombing campaign in Europe, having featured in almost every raid against the European Axis from May 1942. It delivered almost 580,560 metric tonnes of bombs (making it the second heaviest bomb dropping aircraft for the Allies in Europe, behind only the Lancaster), and was famous for being able to survive incredible levels of damage. Iconic thanks to the legendary ‘Memphis Belle’, the B-17 contributed to major raids such as those undertaken during Operation Point Blank, and served through till VE Day in Europe. It’s use in the Pacific was less successful, however it made a valuable contribution in the Battle for the Atlantic serving with the RAF’s Coastal Command.
You can vote for the B-17 (as at least 4 others have) here.
