The 6th Bomb Group

Wood model of B-29 introduced in 1944
CollectAir Museum

Before there were plastic models, there were wood models of B-29s.  Many who flew B-29s built balsa wood aircraft models in the 1930s and 1940s.  Starting in 1944, American companies offered wood models of B-29s.  These included:

Comet B-29 Superfortress, Kit No. M3 (large scale)
Testors B-29 Super Fortress", Kit No. 555 (1:72 scale)
StromBecKer B-29 Boeing Superfortress, Kit No. C250 (1:72 scale)

In a 1946 Testor's Contest, Charles Bleitner (whose father had served with the 475BS) received a $1,000 award for his model of a B-29.  That was BIG money in those days.

For more information on B-29 wood models, go to the CollectAir Museum.

There are plastic B-29 models in three different scales: 1:48 (1 inch = 4 foot); 1:72 (1 inch = 6 feet); and 1:144 (1 inch = 12 feet).  There are several variations: the B-29, the B-29 Silverplate, and the B-29A.  The 6th Bomb Group did not use the B-29 Silverplate.  This was a B-29 modified for use by the atom bombers and has no guns.  The B-29A was slightly different than the B-29.  Due to a change in construction methods, it had a 1 foot larger wingspan and the number of machine guns in the forward dorsal turrets was doubled to 4.

A more recent version in Korean war markings.  The "Thumper" version also has Enola Gay decals.

Monogram (now Revell/Monogram) made the only 1:48 scale model of the B-29.

• Boeing B-29 Superfortress (#5706)

• Boeing B-29 Superfortress (#5711) - includes 5 crew figures.

Problems with Monogram Model:

• The bunk beds have to go!  The YB-29 had bunk beds that were attached were attached to the fuselage and swung down.  On production versions, the bunk beds were removed to make room for the radarman.  In most cases, his table and equipment were against the left side.  He sat facing the left side.

• The tunnel may be too small.  It should be 34" in diameter.

• The skylight over the tunnel was visible from inside the tunnel.

Academy made several versions of the B-29A:

• Boeing B-29A Superfortress (#2111)
  ["Big Time Operator" (1BS 313BG 9BW)]

• Boeing KB-29P Superfortress (#2113)

• Boeing B-29A "Enola Gay" (#2154)

• Boeing B-29A "Bocks Car" (#2173)

Airfix made a model of a B-29-40BW:

• Boeing B-29 Superfortress (#7001)
  [Includes decals for "Eddie Allen" (45BS 40BG 58BW) and "Joltin Josie" (873BS 498BG 73 BW)]

The "Enola Gay", a "Silverplate" B-29 with guns removed.

Minicraft made several 1:144 scale B-29As:

• Boeing B-29A Superfortress (#14404)

• Boeing B-29A “Bocks Car” (#14487)

• Boeing B-29A “Enola Gay” (#14488)

Optional decals with 6BG markings

"El Pajaro de la Guerra" is one of the most popular planes for modelers because the Squadron/Signal B-29 book contains a color plate for this aircraft.

Christian Boehm built this 1/72 scale model.

A close-up of Christian Boehm's model showing detail down to the treads.

A German modeler built this version of "El Pajaro de la Guerra"

A member of the 6th Bomb Group built this model of "Look Homeward Angel".  This appears to be a Monogram 1:48 scale B-29.

This diorama shows B-29As on the assembly line at Renton, Washington.

The level of detail is simply incredible.

Here are some decals that may help B-29 modelers. These are latter versions of the markings. The pirate design and the "Circle R" were identical for all planes. However, the flames behind the pirate could vary. Many different fonts were used to write the name. Some planes did not have the flames (only a name) and some did not have the circle behind the pirate.