re: December 17, 1943 - A Super Bomber to Break Japan

quote:

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Almost twice as many went down due to engine failure than were shot down by the Japanese.

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My father was in B-29s after WW II and during the Korean War. He flew in the 279th Air Rescue Squadron, which entailed loitering over the water and dropping a relatively large lifeboat to downed crews.

I remember him telling me that they came home on three engines more often than four, and had one particularly hairy landing with two engines out. This was after B-29s had been in service for ~5 years. You'd think they'd have the kinks worked out by then, but apparently not.