𝐒𝐮𝐩𝐞𝐫-𝐬𝐢𝐳𝐞𝐝
Gross weights and tiny islands
Striking the Japanese Home Islands was a major challenge for the US’ strategic bombing campaign - but a necessary one to meet ahead of the planned Operation DOWNFALL.
US engineers turned the island of Tinian into an unsinkable aircraft carrier, with a total of six 8,500 ft runways from which could be launched the B-29 Superfortress.
Costing more than the Manhattan Project, the effort to build these giant bombers created an aircraft that could achieve a maximum combat load on takeoff of 135,000 lbs - an incredible 61 tonnes.
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4/27/2024, 5:00:00 PM