![]() ![]() Rather than trying to also pressurize a revolving turret with a gunner, the turrets were made smaller and more streamlined, with the gunner aiming and firing from inside the pressurized compartment. ![]() The specifications for the superbomber called for pressurized compartments that would provide a more comfortable environment for the crew. Even enclosed turrets were not heated, exposing gunners to extremely cold and dangerous conditions. ![]() As it turned out, the Dominator suffered more delays than the Superfortress and only entered combat in mid-1945.Įarly models of previous heavy bombers, such as the B-17 and B-24, had gunner positions that were exposed to the open air where temperatures could reach -40 degrees Fahrenheit at altitude. Consolidated’s entry, the XB-32 Terminator (later named Dominator), was chosen as a backup in case the B-29 program ran into difficulty. Four companies submitted designs, but Lockheed and Douglas soon dropped out, and in August the Air Corps ordered two prototypes of Boeing’s XB-29 Superfortress. “Hap” Arnold, fearing war in Europe, pushed for development of a Very-Long Range superbomber for which the Army issued a requirement in January 1940. Curtis LeMay, included this cartoon representations of a B-29 gunner shooting down Japanese aircraft with the press of a button, underscoring the futuristic nature of the central fire control. The Combat Crew Manual issued by XX Bomber Command, under the command of Maj. ![]()
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