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39th Bomb Group Founded :
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39th Bomb Group
| Aircraft for : 39th Bomb Group | |||
| A list of all aircraft known to have been flown by 39th Bomb Group. A profile page including a list of all art prints for the aircraft is available by clicking the aircraft name. | |||
| Squadron | Info | ||
| Superfortress The largest and most powerful bomber of WW II, the Boeing B-29 Super Fortress, played a major role in bringing about the defeat of Japan. In addition to accelerating Japans surrender following the bombing of Hiroshima and Nagasaki with atomic bombs, thousands of B-29 crews flew tens of thousands of bombing missions against Japan from bases in China, India, and later in the War from recaptured islands in the Pacific. B-29s entered service in 1943 following a lengthy, problem-filled, development process of three years in response to the governments request for a long range strategic bomber. Only Boeing and Douglas (the B-32 Dominator) responded to the governments requests, and the B-32 had even greater development problems than the B-29. Powered by four giant Wright R-3350-23 radial engines generating a total horsepower of 8,924, the Super Fortresses typically carried crews of ten. They were capable of a top speed of 357-MPH, and at slower cruising speeds had a range of more than 3,200 miles. The B-29 was a large aircraft for its time with a wingspan in excess of 140 feet and a length of just under 100 feet. The Super Forts also had pressurized forward and aft hulls, which made the long distance missions a bit more comfortable for the flight crews. B-29s typically carried defensive armament which included ten machine guns and a single tail-mounted canon. Because of the pressurized hull, the guns were operated by remote control. The first operational B-29 wing was the 58th which flew out of the China-Burma-India theater. On March 9, 1945 General Curtis LeMay ordered an unusual low altitude attack on Tokyo by hundreds of B-29s carrying incendiary bombs. Five such low level missions were scheduled over a ten-day period, and the combined destruction of these missions exceeded that of either of the atomic bomb missions. B-29s were also effectively used to mine Japanese ports and shipping lanes. | ||
| Signatures for : 39th Bomb Group | ||
| A list of all signatures from our database who are associated with this squadron. A profile page is available by clicking their name. | ||
| Name | Info | |
 Harry D Hink USAAF Click the name or photo above to see prints signed by Harry D Hink USAAF | Harry D Hink USAAF Harry Hinks 28 year military career began during the height of World War Two. After completing training, in 1943 he flew his first of 28 combat missions in heavy bombers against Japan, attached to the 39th Bomb Group. He vividly recalls Iwo Jima, not only as a navigational checkpoint to and from bombing missions over the Japanese islands, but also found it to be a safe haven personally on three separate occasions, when he and his crew made emergency landings in their B29. In April 1945, he was promoted to 1st Lieutenant on Guam, and would later fly missions in both the Korean and Vietnam conflicts. He retired from the U S Air Force in 1970 as a Lieutenant Colonel, with decorations including the Distinguished Flying Cross, Air Medal with Seven Clusters, Distinguished Unit Citation and many others. After the military, he worked with the FAA for 17 years, holding various positions in Airport Safety. Harry resides today in the Washington DC area. | |
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