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Inside the bomb bay |
On a training flight to Borenquon field Puerto Rica our 29 had a bomb bay fuel tank installed. On the return flight we encountered some severe turbulence and the tank broke loose and was resting on the bomb bay doors. It was then determined that we did not have enough fuel to get us back to Grand Island, Nebraska. Our Pilot Capt. Percy Tucker determined that the nearest airport that could possibly handle a 29 was located in Nashville, Tennessee. It was at that time a run of the mill commercial airport. Captain Tucker had a very slow and deliberate way of speaking. I switched the frequency on the intercom and listened to him calling the tower. He gave the usual identification and requested an emergency landing. A female voice asked what type of aircraft ? Captain Tucker replied, a B-29.
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A screaming female
voice said, "B-2 niiiiiiiiiiiiiiiine you can't land here!" Our concern was that the jolt upon hitting the runway and the weight of the bomb bay tank might force the bomb bay doors open. This did not happen and we landed safely. |
| This happened about 3:00 AM. That morning there were hundreds of people at the airport to get a look at a B-29. We were treated like celebrities. Finally after some makeshift repairs and refueling we were to takeoff. Lining both sides of that short runway (for a 29) were fire apparatus of all types.There were hundreds of people all around the airport. It was quite a spectacle |  |
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We taxied off of the runway onto the grass near the airport fence. With the brakes on hold, the engines were revved up so that the plane was shaking. Finally, with the brakes released, we started the takeoff. A grove of trees was located at the end of the runway and we cleared them (or so we thought). Everyone up forward held their breath because of the trees looming directly ahead. I was in the tail during takeoff and I think I could have reached down and taken hold of a branch. When we reached Grand Island we had to circle the field for some time because of snow plows clearing snow from the runways. After landing we looked at the landing gear and were amazed to find branches of trees sticking out of the gear. A few feet lower and we might have been history. The close ones are great to remember! - Joe |
