[Buckeye30]

There are some well-known B-29s in the album, all 73rd. Wing on Saipan. They had some of the best nose-art courtesy of a Marine, Bud Sprenger.


"Dauntless Dottie" (pilot's wife) 42-24592 497BG ( A Square 1) led first B-29 raid on Tokyo 24 Nov. 44; the insignia is the 869BS, a "pug" carrying a bomb on a cloud.She crashed 6 June 45 taking off from Kwajalein Atoll in the Marshalls returning home.
"Thunderhead" 42-24641 497BG ( A Sq. 43) returned USA.
"Destiny's Tots" 42-65293 497BG ( A Sq. 49) returned. 5 babies on a wooden plane; mission symbols are diapers.
"Lady Mary Anna" 42-24625 498BG (T Sq. 24 then T-48; returned as War Weary 12 July 45.
"Jumbo II" 42-24855 497BG (A Sq. 50) reported as ditched 13 July 45 but possibly confused with 42-24858 which did.


The B-29 crews had great respect for their planes; usual warning on nose gear door was "No smoking within 100 feet" but "Joltin' Josie had " Clean your feet".


Nick