The Superfortress will always be remembered as the aircraft which dropped the first atomic bomb on Japan, thus being responsible for the sudden ending of the Second World War.

Design began in 1940 in response to a specification for a high-altitude long-range 'superbomber' to replace the B-17 and B-24. The Boeing XB-29 prototype first flew in September 1942. Flight tests continued into 1943, marred by a tragic accident in February when the second XB-29 crashed, killing Boeing test pilot Eddie Allen. In March 1944 the first squadrons of the 20th Air Force were sent out to India. Later as American ground forces captured the Mariana Island in the Pacific, enormous airfields were built within reach of Japan and all operations were transferred to this theatre. The first of the two Superfortresses featured in this kit is the famous "Eddie Allen", and early B-29-40BW operated by 45th Bomb Squadron, 40th Bomb Group, 58 Wing, in CBI markings. "Eddie Allen" completed 10 transport missions and at least 23 combat missions, most of them after the squadron moved to Tinian. "Joltin Josie, the Pacific Pioneer", is a later B-29-40BW flown by 873 Bombardment Squadron, 498 Bomb Group, 73 Wing. This aircraft was the first to land on Saipan and took part in the first Tokyo raid. It was lost with its entire crew on 1st April 1945. Superfortress production ceased with the end of the war, when 3,970 had been built. Many of the surplus bombers were put into storage to emerge again for the Korean conflict in which nine squadrons took part.
Other B-29s were supplied to the RAF, where they served as the "Washington". The B-29 was powered by four 19-cylinder Wright Double Cyclone engines, each of 2,300 h.p., giving a maximum speed of 350 m.p.h. Maximum bomb load was 20,000 lb and armament consisted of either eight or ten 0.5 in machine guns in remote-control turrets, plus two 0.5 in guns and one 20 mm cannon in the tail turret. Wing span 141 ft 3 in, length 99 ft. NOTE: Airfix Products wish to acknowledge the assistance of the Boeing Company and the American Aviation Historical Society whose help has been invaluable in the research required for this model.
This 200-part kit includes remotely-controlled guns, operating bomb doors, retractable undercarriage, movable control surfaces and transfers for the most famous Superfortress.

Polystyrene Cement and Paints Required = 10,11,186,33,53,64,69,86.