1942 – The Boeing B-29 Superfortress makes its maiden flight.
The first prototype of the B-29 took its maiden flight from Boeing Field in Seattle on September 21, 1942. However, the aircraft’s advanced design, challenging requirements, immense production pressure, and rushed development led to setbacks. Unlike the unarmed first prototype, the second prototype was equipped with a Sperry defensive armament system featuring remote-controlled gun turrets sighted by periscopes.
As one of the largest aircraft of World War II, the B-29 was designed with cutting-edge technology. It boasted a pressurized cabin, dual-wheeled tricycle landing gear, and an analog computer-controlled fire-control system. This system allowed a single gunner and a fire-control officer to direct four remote machine gun turrets.
The B-29 program was the most expensive of the war, with a design and production cost of $3 billion (equivalent to $54 billion in 2025), significantly surpassing the $1.9 billion cost of the Manhattan Project. Despite its high cost, the B-29 remained in service in various roles throughout the 1950s. It was eventually retired in the early 1960s after 3,970 units had been built. A few B-29s were also repurposed as flying television transmitters by the Stratovision company.
The B-29 was capable of reaching altitudes up to 31,850 feet and speeds of up to 350 mph.
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