Photographer unknown

Photo by Christian Laugier.

This B-29 was recovered from the Aberdeen Proving Ground by the Bradley Air Museum in 1973 and although damaged in the 1979 tornado, was restored between 1998 and 2003 (using the rear fuselage of 44-61739). Although the aircraft was too late to see war service, it was painted to represent 46-1566 (without serial) which had flown with the 468th BG/58th BW from Tinian.

42-104977

First flight since repaint in this colour scheme.

Wearing racing number "55". Crashed on approach to Norwich on 25th October 1974.

Note the wings are from a KZ-VIII c/n 187 ex RDAF O-624. The wings of the KZ-III and KZ-VII are almost identical, apart from the KZ-VII have fueltanks in the wings and the KZ-III have fuel in the fuselage. The wingtanks are blocked to prevent overloading the KZ-III

The military serial also applies to EC-ZZZ, seen at Farnborough in 1982.

This B-29, as 44-61975 was delivered too late to see action in WWII but was used post-war in various training, tarnsport and resupply roles. Its final flight was circa 1960 to the Aberdeen Proving Ground, MD but was fortunately never shot at. NEAM (then Bradley Air Museum) acquired the frame in 1973 but the rear fuselage was found to be extremely corroded so the salvage crew were instructed by the USAF to take the rear fuselage instead of 44-61739. Restoration started in 1998 and lasted five years. The scheme chosen for repaint was Jack's Hack, worn by Tinian combat veteran 44-61566 of the 468th BG of the 58th BW.

On HMS Ark Royal (R09). Later converted to HAS.2, then to HAS.2A, then to HAS.5 and finally to HAS.6. Assigned to RNAY Fleetlands for storage on 3 May 2000; transferred to AESS Gosport 5 October 2000; assigned serial 9324M in November 2008; on 13 November 2008 in the inventory of the Defence School of Aeronautical Engineering, RAF Cosford.