Boeing KB-29

Boeing · United States · first flew 1948 · transport aircraft

The Boeing KB-29 was a family of aerial refuelling tanker conversions based on the B-29 Superfortress airframe, enabling the U.S. Strategic Air Command to extend the range of its bomber fleet during the early Cold War.

Recognition (WEFT)

W — Wings	Mid-mounted, tapered
E — Engines	4 × piston, wing-mounted
F — Fuselage	Hose-and-drogue or flying boom refuelling equipment in the aft fuselage
T — Tail	Conventional

WEFT is AircraftIQ's four-point recognition method — how it works.

Spot it by:

B-29 Superfortress airframe converted to aerial refuelling tanker role
Hose-and-drogue or flying boom refuelling equipment in the aft fuselage
Four Wright R-3350 radial engines in long-chord cowlings

Essentially identical externally to the B-29 bomber apart from refuelling boom or drogue equipment visible under the rear fuselage, and the absence of offensive armament in most conversions.

Specifications

The Boeing KB-29 has a length of 36.6 m (120 ft).
It has a wingspan of 43.05 m (141 ft).
Its maximum speed is 644 km/h (400 mph).
Typical crew: 10–12.

Figures are for the representative variant described above; marks differ. See how AircraftIQ sources figures.

History

Following the Second World War, the USAF recognised that its new jet bombers lacked the range to strike the Soviet Union without refuelling; KB-29M and KB-29P variants were converted using hose-and-drogue and flying-boom systems respectively. These aircraft enabled the first non-stop transoceanic jet crossings.

Variants

The KB-29M used the British-derived hose-and-drogue system; the KB-29P introduced Boeing's flying-boom system, which became the USAF standard.

Where you'll see it

Served with Strategic Air Command from the late 1940s until replaced by dedicated jet tankers such as the Boeing KB-50 and KC-97.

Related aircraft

AircraftIQ — the aircraft field guide: 5,024 recognition guides, live overhead identification, works offline.