Editing Boeing B-29 Superfortress (section)

==Variants==
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{{Main|Boeing B-29 Superfortress variants}}
[[File:Bell X-1 in the belly of a B-29.jpg|thumb|[[Bell X-1]] and its B-29 mother ship]]
The variants of the B-29 were outwardly similar in appearance but were built around different wing center sections that affected the wingspan dimensions. The wing of the Renton-built B-29A-BN used a different subassembly process and was a foot longer in span. The Georgia-built B-29B-BA weighed less through armament reduction. A planned C series with more reliable R-3350s was not built.

Moreover, engine packages changed, including the type of propellers and range of the variable pitch. A notable example was the eventual 65 airframes (up to 1947's end) for the [[Silverplate]] and successor-name "Saddletree" specifications built for the [[Manhattan Project]] with Curtiss Electric reversible pitch propellers.

The other differences came through added equipment for varied mission roles. These roles included cargo carriers (CB); rescue aircraft (SB); weather ships (WB); and trainers (TB); and aerial tankers (KB).

Some were used for odd purposes such as flying relay television transmitters under the name of [[Stratovision]].
[[File:Boeing WB-29A 53 WRS 1954.jpg|thumb|WB-29A of the 53d Weather Reconnaissance Squadron in 1954 showing the fuselage-top observation station]]

The B-29D led progressively to the XB-44, and the family of '''[[B-50 Superfortress]]''' (which was powered by four {{convert|3500|hp|abbr=on}} [[Pratt & Whitney R-4360]]-35 Wasp Major engines).

Another role was as a mothership. This included being rigged for carrying the experimental [[parasite fighter]] aircraft, such as the [[McDonnell XF-85 Goblin]] and [[Republic F-84 Thunderjet]]s as in flight lock on and offs. It was also used to develop the [[Airborne Early Warning]] program; it was the ancestor of various modern radar picket aircraft. A B-29 with the original Wright Duplex Cyclone powerplants was used to air-launch the [[Bell X-1]] supersonic research rocket aircraft, as well as [[Cherokee (rocket)|Cherokee]] rockets for the testing of ejection seats.<ref name="Ala">Shinabery, Michael. [http://www.alamogordonews.com/features/ci_10818501 "Whoosh failures were 'instructive'."] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140517121515/http://www.alamogordonews.com/features/ci_10818501 |date=17 May 2014 }} ''[[Alamogordo Daily News]]'', 26 October 2008. Retrieved: 17 May 2014.</ref>

Some B-29s were modified to act as testbeds for various new systems or special conditions, including fire-control systems, cold-weather operations, and various armament configurations. Several converted B-29s were used to experiment with [[aerial refueling]] and re-designated as '''[[Boeing KB-29|KB-29s]]'''. Perhaps the most important tests were conducted by the '''XB-29G'''. It carried prototype [[jet engine]]s in its bomb bay, and lowered them into the air stream to conduct measurements.