[ARC5] Soviet B-29

[Robert Eleazer]

The first B-29 captured by the USSR was a B-29-5-BW, 42-6256, the 52nd B-29 to come off of the Boeing Wichita assembly line.  Note there is no "A" in the designation; that model predated the A. 

The second B-29 to fall into Soviet hands crashed after the crew bailed out.  It was a B-29A-1-BN, 42-93829, the 6th Renton built B-29A.

Next, two B-29-15-BW's landed in the USSR.  They later got two more.

So it appears that at least the first B-29's acquired by the Soviets were pretty early aircraft and their equipment fit may not have reflected those of later machines.  All of the airplanes were ones that flew from China rather than Saipan and so were the first B-29's to see combat.

Wayne