New Silverplate book

[Dick Powers]

I just bought

“The Silverplate Bombers” by Richard H. Campbell. Subtitled “A History and Registry of the Enola Gay and Other B-29s Configured to Carry Atomic Bombs”; McFarland. 2005



The subtitle describes the book. A history of the Silverplate program and the 65 modified B-29s, as well as their crews. Individual aircraft histories and mission lists.



Ever hear of a “pumpkin bomb”? Aerodynamically similar to the Fat Man bomb, they were used in practice missions. According to the individual aircraft mission list, “Enola Gay” flow two Pumpkin Bomb missions before the Hiroshima mission with a Little Boy atomic bomb. Bockscar flew three Pumpkin Bomb missions before dropping a “Fat Man” on Nagasaki.



First glance reveals a very interesting book; hardback, 234 pages, many photographs.

[Dick Powers]

By the way, a photo of Enola Gay.