There has been some discussion on painted versus unpainted bottoms on B-29's. Thanks to our own Bud Farrell we have before and after photos of planes painted balck on the bottom for fire eaid missions at night.

Captain Sam unpainted

 

Captain Sam painted

 

Target Tonite unpainted

 

Target Tonite painted

 

There has been alot of discussion on a plane called
Fu-Kem-Al. Dwight Stuckey was kind enough to share
these great photos. Thanks, Dwight !!

 

 

Front Row Left to Right: Left Gunner- Richard Warner, Living; Radio Operator - Williams, Unknown; Right Gunner - Ralph F. Delaware, Unknown;Tail Gunner - William G. Weiss, Unknown; Central Fire Control - Willie O'Brian. Unknown; Back Row Left to Right Copilot- Robert L. Reiling, Unknown; Bombardier- Ernest T Felts, Deceased; Pilot - William H. DeLacey, Deceased; Engineer - James A. King, Living;Navigator - William E. Smith, Deceased; Radar - Roberts, Unknown

 

 

The above is Kwajalein a very small island (as you can see) or atoll in the central pacific - as I recall it was about 2400 miles wsw of Honolulu. It was the one refueling stop for B 29s moving West from Kansas/Nebraska via Northern, Calif. (Mather Field) enroute to Honolulu and thence to Saipan, Tinian and Guam I believe every B 29 headed to combat in the Mariana Islands had to stop there - stay over refuel and leave next day for Saipan (except for planes from early 58th - they were in India, China and then moved east to Tinian in April or so 1945). I would estimate about 1300 miles Kwajalein to Saipan. Photo and text courtesy of Hap Halloran