1. "Mission Inn" was a B-29 assigned to the 22nd Bomb Group, which was based at March AFB, California. The crew named her in honor of the Mission Inn, a favorite hang out for USAF personnel back in the day that was located in nearby Riverside. It served in Korea from July-October 1950 when the 22nd forward deployed to Kadena AFB, Okinawa during the height of the Pusan Perimeter crisis.
2. "Toddlin' Turtle" belonged to the 22nd Bomb Group as well and saw combat in Korea at the same time as Mission Inn. Photo was taken on Okinawa.
3. "Lake Success Express" (44-69980) flew originally with the 92nd Bomb Group as "Deal Me In." It was later transfered to the 98th Bomb Group, where it saw combat in Korea. It was destroyed at Tinker Air Force base on August 8, 1954.
4. Chief Spokane was another former 92nd Bomb Group B-29 that ended up in the 98th in time to see combat over Korea. 44-61825.
5. "Sheeza Goer!" belonged to that oldest of Pacific-based heavy bombardment groups, the 19th. Flying from Guam, this Superfort saw action over Korea in 1950. Her ultimate fate is unknown. 45-21716.
below; B-29-25-BA Superfortress s/n 42-63504. It was assigned to 504th Bomb Group. 24 July 1944. Not long after the Marines began their assault on 24 July 1944, B-29 serial number 42-63504 “Flag Ship” became the first Superfortress to land on Tinian. It was damaged while parked at North Field, Tinian May 20, 1945 by a crashing B-29 42-24913. Reclaimed at Tinker AFB, OK 11 Sep 50
Also on this blog - B-29s of the 509th Composite Group
