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vehicles:enola-gay [2024/06/07 05:11] – [Early Life & Education] Humphrey Boa-Gartvehicles:enola-gay [2024/10/16 02:04] (current) – [Interior Photos] Humphrey Boa-Gart
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 ====== The Enola Gay ====== ====== The Enola Gay ======
  
-The **Enola Gay** is a Boeing B-29 Superfortress, manufactured on May 18th 1945, and assigned the serial number //#44-86292//. The Enola Gay was part of an elite group of B-29's selected for **Project Silverplate**, and was rigged from the womb to deploy the [[arms:atomic bomb|atomic bomb]] during high-intensity combat operations. It was named after **Enola Gay Tibbets**, who was the mother of the pilot, **Colonel Paul Tibbets**.+The **Enola Gay** is a Boeing B-29 Superfortress, manufactured on May 18th 1945, and assigned the serial number //#44-86292//. The Enola Gay was part of an elite group of B-29's selected for **Project Silverplate**, and was rigged from the womb to deploy the [[weapons:atomic bomb|atomic bomb]] during high-intensity combat operations. It was named after **Enola Gay Tibbets**, who was the mother of the pilot, **Colonel Paul Tibbets**.
  
 On August 6th 1945, at a mere two and a half months old, the Enola Gay permanently carved its name into history by becoming the first aircraft to destroy a city with an atomic bomb, when it //completely obliterated Hiroshima// in the closing days of World War II as a warning to the Russians that there was more where that came from. On August 6th 1945, at a mere two and a half months old, the Enola Gay permanently carved its name into history by becoming the first aircraft to destroy a city with an atomic bomb, when it //completely obliterated Hiroshima// in the closing days of World War II as a warning to the Russians that there was more where that came from.
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 ===== Early Life & Education ===== ===== Early Life & Education =====
  
-[{{ :vehicles:blog-_-img_46-5-enolagay.jpg?400|Enola Gay at Martin Bomber Plant, Fort Crook.}}]+[{{ :vehicles:blog-_-img_46-5-enolagay.jpg?350|Enola Gay at Martin Bomber Plant, Fort Crook.}}]
  
 The Enola Gay (//Model number B-29-45-MO, Serial number #44-86292//) was built by the **Glenn L. Martin Company** (later part of **Lockheed Martin**) at its bomber plant in Bellevue, Nebraska, located at Offutt Field, now **Offutt Air Force Base**. The bomber was conceived for the then-classified **Project Silverplate**, to create companion aircraft for the **Manhattan Project's** secret weapon. It underwent a series of experimental pre-natal modifications, including an extensively modified bomb bay with pneumatic doors and British bomb attachment and release systems, reversible pitch propellers that gave more braking power on landing, improved engines with fuel injection and better cooling, and the removal of protective armor and gun turrets. The Enola Gay (//Model number B-29-45-MO, Serial number #44-86292//) was built by the **Glenn L. Martin Company** (later part of **Lockheed Martin**) at its bomber plant in Bellevue, Nebraska, located at Offutt Field, now **Offutt Air Force Base**. The bomber was conceived for the then-classified **Project Silverplate**, to create companion aircraft for the **Manhattan Project's** secret weapon. It underwent a series of experimental pre-natal modifications, including an extensively modified bomb bay with pneumatic doors and British bomb attachment and release systems, reversible pitch propellers that gave more braking power on landing, improved engines with fuel injection and better cooling, and the removal of protective armor and gun turrets.
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 ===== World War II ===== ===== World War II =====
  
-{{ :vehicles:enola-gay-600.jpg?400|}}+[{{ :vehicles:enola-gay-600.jpg?350|}}]
  
 The rookie bomber was stationed at North Field, Tinian, in the Mariana Islands, and flew eight training flights in July 1945. On July 24th & 26th, it flew its first two combat missions, dropping pumpkin bombs on **Kobe** and **Nagoya**. Its future payload from the **Manhattan Project**, //"Little Boy"//, arrived at Tinian on the 26th as well. The rookie bomber was stationed at North Field, Tinian, in the Mariana Islands, and flew eight training flights in July 1945. On July 24th & 26th, it flew its first two combat missions, dropping pumpkin bombs on **Kobe** and **Nagoya**. Its future payload from the **Manhattan Project**, //"Little Boy"//, arrived at Tinian on the 26th as well.
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 On August 5th 1945, during preparation for the first atomic mission, Tibbets assumed command of the aircraft and named it after his mother, **Enola Gay Tibbets**, who, in turn, had been named for the heroine of a novel. When it came to selecting a name for the plane, Tibbets later recalled that: On August 5th 1945, during preparation for the first atomic mission, Tibbets assumed command of the aircraft and named it after his mother, **Enola Gay Tibbets**, who, in turn, had been named for the heroine of a novel. When it came to selecting a name for the plane, Tibbets later recalled that:
  
-> My thoughts turned at this point to my courageous red-haired mother, whose quiet confidence had been a source of strength to me since boyhood, and particularly during the soul-searching period when I decided to give up a medical career to become a military pilot. At a time when Dad had thought I had lost my marbles, she had taken my side and said, "I know you will be all right, son."+> My thoughts turned at this point to my courageous red-haired mother, whose quiet confidence had been a source of strength to me since boyhood, and particularly during the soul-searching period when I decided to give up a medical career to become a military pilot. At a time when Dad had thought I had lost my marbles, she had taken my side and said, 'I know you will be all right, son.'
  
 In the early morning hours, just prior to the August 6th mission, Tibbets had a young Army Air Forces maintenance man, Private Nelson Miller, paint the name just under the pilot's window. Regularly assigned aircraft commander Robert A. Lewis was unhappy to be displaced by Tibbets for this important mission and became furious when he arrived at the aircraft on the morning of August 6th to see it painted with the now-famous nose art. In the early morning hours, just prior to the August 6th mission, Tibbets had a young Army Air Forces maintenance man, Private Nelson Miller, paint the name just under the pilot's window. Regularly assigned aircraft commander Robert A. Lewis was unhappy to be displaced by Tibbets for this important mission and became furious when he arrived at the aircraft on the morning of August 6th to see it painted with the now-famous nose art.
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 ==== Hiroshima Bombing ==== ==== Hiroshima Bombing ====
  
-{{ :vehicles:tibbetswave.jpg?200|Colonel Tibbets waving from the cockpit of the freshly-painted Enola Gay.}}+[{{ :vehicles:tibbetswave.jpg?200|Colonel Tibbets waving from the cockpit of the freshly-painted Enola Gay.}}]
  
 By the time the atomic bomb was finished and ready for deployment, World War II was all but over. The Empire of Japan, once a regional powerhouse, was completely gutted by a massive alliance of Western and Asian forces, and the Soviet Union was now starting to move in fast. With most of its cities now in smoldering ruins due to waves of "terror bombings", Japanese diplomats started to signal the willingness of their people to surrender. By the time the atomic bomb was finished and ready for deployment, World War II was all but over. The Empire of Japan, once a regional powerhouse, was completely gutted by a massive alliance of Western and Asian forces, and the Soviet Union was now starting to move in fast. With most of its cities now in smoldering ruins due to waves of "terror bombings", Japanese diplomats started to signal the willingness of their people to surrender.
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 After leaving Tinian, the three aircraft made their way separately to Iwo Jima, where they rendezvoused at 2,440 meters (8,010 ft) and set course for Japan. The aircraft arrived over the target in clear visibility at 9,855 meters (32,333 ft). Navy Captain William S. "Deak" Parsons of Project Alberta, who was in command of the mission, armed the bomb during the flight to minimize the risks during takeoff. His assistant, Second Lieutenant Morris R. Jeppson, removed the safety devices 30 minutes before reaching the target area. After leaving Tinian, the three aircraft made their way separately to Iwo Jima, where they rendezvoused at 2,440 meters (8,010 ft) and set course for Japan. The aircraft arrived over the target in clear visibility at 9,855 meters (32,333 ft). Navy Captain William S. "Deak" Parsons of Project Alberta, who was in command of the mission, armed the bomb during the flight to minimize the risks during takeoff. His assistant, Second Lieutenant Morris R. Jeppson, removed the safety devices 30 minutes before reaching the target area.
  
-{{ :vehicles:hiroshimaexplosion.webp?300|Mushroom cloud from detonation of "Little Boy" on Hiroshima.}}+[{{ :vehicles:hiroshimaexplosion.webp?300|Mushroom cloud from detonation of "Little Boy" on Hiroshima.}}]
  
 The release at 08:15 (Hiroshima time) went as planned, and the Little Boy took 53 seconds to fall from the aircraft flying at 31,060 feet (9,470 m) to the predetermined detonation height about 1,968 feet (600 m) above the city. The Enola Gay traveled 11.5 mi (18.5 km) before it felt the shock waves from the blast. Although buffeted by the shock, neither The Enola Gay nor The Great Artiste was damaged. The release at 08:15 (Hiroshima time) went as planned, and the Little Boy took 53 seconds to fall from the aircraft flying at 31,060 feet (9,470 m) to the predetermined detonation height about 1,968 feet (600 m) above the city. The Enola Gay traveled 11.5 mi (18.5 km) before it felt the shock waves from the blast. Although buffeted by the shock, neither The Enola Gay nor The Great Artiste was damaged.
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 Despite the relative inefficiency of Little Boy, the combined initial & long term death tolls of the Hiroshima mission makes the Enola Gay one of history's deadliest military service vehicles, ranking up there with the [[vehicles:toyota hilux|Toyota Hilux]] and the original [[vehicles:trojan horse|Trojan Horse]]. Despite the relative inefficiency of Little Boy, the combined initial & long term death tolls of the Hiroshima mission makes the Enola Gay one of history's deadliest military service vehicles, ranking up there with the [[vehicles:toyota hilux|Toyota Hilux]] and the original [[vehicles:trojan horse|Trojan Horse]].
  
-{{ :vehicles:enolagayreturn.webp?300|The triumphant return to base.}}+[{{ :vehicles:enolagayreturn.webp?300|Enola's triumphant return to base after destroying Hiroshima.}}]
  
 The Enola Gay returned safely to its base on Tinian to great fanfare, touching down at 2:58 pm, after 12 hours 13 minutes. The Great Artiste and Necessary Evil followed at short intervals. Several hundred people, including journalists and photographers, had gathered to watch the planes return. Tibbets was the first to disembark and was presented with the Distinguished Service Cross on the spot, for heroically slaughtering tens of thousands of civilians in a public relations stunt. The Enola Gay returned safely to its base on Tinian to great fanfare, touching down at 2:58 pm, after 12 hours 13 minutes. The Great Artiste and Necessary Evil followed at short intervals. Several hundred people, including journalists and photographers, had gathered to watch the planes return. Tibbets was the first to disembark and was presented with the Distinguished Service Cross on the spot, for heroically slaughtering tens of thousands of civilians in a public relations stunt.
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 ==== Nagasaki Bombing ==== ==== Nagasaki Bombing ====
  
-{{ :vehicles:nagasakicloud4large.gif?250|Mushroom cloud from detonation of "Fat Man" on Nagasaki.}}+[{{ :vehicles:nagasakicloud4large.gif?250|Mushroom cloud from detonation of "Fat Man" on Nagasaki.}}]
  
 The Hiroshima mission was followed by another atomic strike. Originally scheduled for August 11th, it was brought forward by two days to August 9th owing to a forecast of bad weather. This time, a nuclear bomb code-named **"Fat Man"** was carried by the B-29 **Bockscar**, piloted by Major Charles W. Sweeney. The Enola Gay, flown by Captain George Marquardt's Crew B-10, was the weather reconnaissance aircraft for **Kokura**, the primary target. The Enola Gay reported clear skies over Kokura, but by the time Bockscar arrived, the city was obscured by smoke from fires from the conventional bombing of Yahata by two hundred and twenty four B-29's the day before. After three unsuccessful passes, Bockscar diverted to its secondary target, **Nagasaki**, where it dropped Fat Man. In contrast to the Hiroshima mission, the Nagasaki mission has been described as tactically botched, although the mission did meet its objectives. The crew encountered a number of problems in execution and had very little fuel by the time they landed at the emergency backup landing site Yontan Airfield on Okinawa. The Hiroshima mission was followed by another atomic strike. Originally scheduled for August 11th, it was brought forward by two days to August 9th owing to a forecast of bad weather. This time, a nuclear bomb code-named **"Fat Man"** was carried by the B-29 **Bockscar**, piloted by Major Charles W. Sweeney. The Enola Gay, flown by Captain George Marquardt's Crew B-10, was the weather reconnaissance aircraft for **Kokura**, the primary target. The Enola Gay reported clear skies over Kokura, but by the time Bockscar arrived, the city was obscured by smoke from fires from the conventional bombing of Yahata by two hundred and twenty four B-29's the day before. After three unsuccessful passes, Bockscar diverted to its secondary target, **Nagasaki**, where it dropped Fat Man. In contrast to the Hiroshima mission, the Nagasaki mission has been described as tactically botched, although the mission did meet its objectives. The crew encountered a number of problems in execution and had very little fuel by the time they landed at the emergency backup landing site Yontan Airfield on Okinawa.
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 With the war now over, Lewis flew the Enola Gay back to the United States on November 6th 1945, arriving at the 509th's new base at Roswell AAF in New Mexico, on November 8th. On April 29th 1946, the Enola Gay left Roswell as part of the **Operation Crossroads** nuclear weapons tests in the Pacific on Bikini Atoll. With the war now over, Lewis flew the Enola Gay back to the United States on November 6th 1945, arriving at the 509th's new base at Roswell AAF in New Mexico, on November 8th. On April 29th 1946, the Enola Gay left Roswell as part of the **Operation Crossroads** nuclear weapons tests in the Pacific on Bikini Atoll.
  
-{{ :vehicles:falloutgay.webp?400|The civilian death toll of the Hiroshima bombing caused many friends and former allies to turn on the Enola Gay in disgust.}}+[{{ :vehicles:falloutgay.webp?350|The civilian death toll of the Hiroshima bombing caused many friends & former allies to turn on the Enola Gay in disgust.}}]
  
 Meanwhile, much controversy had been brewing over the bombings of Hiroshima & Nagasaki, and specifically the ethical implications of bombing a surrendering civilian and non-combatant populace. With the careers of many people in Washington DC at stake, it was decided by the Generals to publically hold the Enola Gay up as a scapegoat for the entire scandal. Now, like many assets of the military-industrial complex, the naive rookie aircraft was to be made a patsy by its own creators. On July 1st 1946, the very day of the first test drop at Bikini Atoll, the Enola Gay was humiliatingly pulled from service, court-martialed, stripped of rank, and ordered to go to [[hazards:california|California]] to await further orders. It was escorted from Kwajalein later that day, reaching Fairfield-Suisun AAF, California, on July 2nd. Meanwhile, much controversy had been brewing over the bombings of Hiroshima & Nagasaki, and specifically the ethical implications of bombing a surrendering civilian and non-combatant populace. With the careers of many people in Washington DC at stake, it was decided by the Generals to publically hold the Enola Gay up as a scapegoat for the entire scandal. Now, like many assets of the military-industrial complex, the naive rookie aircraft was to be made a patsy by its own creators. On July 1st 1946, the very day of the first test drop at Bikini Atoll, the Enola Gay was humiliatingly pulled from service, court-martialed, stripped of rank, and ordered to go to [[hazards:california|California]] to await further orders. It was escorted from Kwajalein later that day, reaching Fairfield-Suisun AAF, California, on July 2nd.
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 The Enola Gay, now bearing the full blame for Hiroshima & Nagasaki, was to be imprisoned for the next several decades in increasingly degrading positions. On July 24th, the aircraft was flown to Davis–Monthan AFB in Tucson, Arizona, in preparation for its sentence. On August 30th, the Enola Gay was dishonorably discharged. The Smithsonian was assigned as the bomber's new "civilian" handler, effectively sweeping the entire issue under the rug. The Enola Gay, now bearing the full blame for Hiroshima & Nagasaki, was to be imprisoned for the next several decades in increasingly degrading positions. On July 24th, the aircraft was flown to Davis–Monthan AFB in Tucson, Arizona, in preparation for its sentence. On August 30th, the Enola Gay was dishonorably discharged. The Smithsonian was assigned as the bomber's new "civilian" handler, effectively sweeping the entire issue under the rug.
  
-{{ :vehicles:ab_-_eg_at_andrews.jpg?400|The Enola Gay, pictured here during its brutal imprisonment at Andrews AFB.}}+[{{ :vehicles:ab_-_eg_at_andrews.jpg?350|The Enola Gay, pictured here during its brutal imprisonment at Andrews AFB.}}]
  
 From 1946 to 1961, the Enola Gay was confined at a number of locations. It was at Davis-Monthan AFB from September 1st 1946 until July 3rd 1949, when it was flown to Orchard Place Air Field in Park Ridge, Illinois, by Tibbets himself, who tried to console the aircraft. It was moved to Pyote AFB in Texas, on January 12th 1952, and then to Andrews AFB in Maryland, on December 2nd 1953. From 1946 to 1961, the Enola Gay was confined at a number of locations. It was at Davis-Monthan AFB from September 1st 1946 until July 3rd 1949, when it was flown to Orchard Place Air Field in Park Ridge, Illinois, by Tibbets himself, who tried to console the aircraft. It was moved to Pyote AFB in Texas, on January 12th 1952, and then to Andrews AFB in Maryland, on December 2nd 1953.
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 ===== Pardon, Restoration & Return to Service ===== ===== Pardon, Restoration & Return to Service =====
  
-{{ :vehicles:enolaimprisoned.jpg?400|Enola Gay, dismembered and imprisoned.}}+[{{ :vehicles:enolaimprisoned.jpg?350|Enola Gay, dismembered and imprisoned during its stint in solitary confinement in Suitland.}}]
  
 Stripped of its wings and many other organs, the Enola Gay remained in solitary confinement at Suitland for many years. Like many veterans, the Enola Gay suffered from combat-induced PTSD, and relived the horrors of war every day in its own personal hell. By the early 1980s, two veterans of the 509th, **Don Rehl** and **Frank B. Stewart**, were made aware of their comrade's inhumane treatment, and began lobbying for the Enola Gay to be Pardoned. They enlisted Tibbets and Senator Barry Goldwater in their campaign. In 1983, Walter J. Boyne, a former B-52 pilot with the Strategic Air Command, became director of the National Air and Space Museum, and he made the restoration of the Enola Gay's rights & dignity a priority. Looking at the pieces of the aircraft, Tibbets recalled, was a //"sad meeting:"// Stripped of its wings and many other organs, the Enola Gay remained in solitary confinement at Suitland for many years. Like many veterans, the Enola Gay suffered from combat-induced PTSD, and relived the horrors of war every day in its own personal hell. By the early 1980s, two veterans of the 509th, **Don Rehl** and **Frank B. Stewart**, were made aware of their comrade's inhumane treatment, and began lobbying for the Enola Gay to be Pardoned. They enlisted Tibbets and Senator Barry Goldwater in their campaign. In 1983, Walter J. Boyne, a former B-52 pilot with the Strategic Air Command, became director of the National Air and Space Museum, and he made the restoration of the Enola Gay's rights & dignity a priority. Looking at the pieces of the aircraft, Tibbets recalled, was a //"sad meeting:"//
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 The forward fuselage went on display at the Smithsonian on June 28th 1995, to a mix of great fanfare and controversy. The exhibition closed on May 18th 1998 and the fuselage was returned to the Garber Facility for final restoration. The forward fuselage went on display at the Smithsonian on June 28th 1995, to a mix of great fanfare and controversy. The exhibition closed on May 18th 1998 and the fuselage was returned to the Garber Facility for final restoration.
  
-{{ :vehicles:enolagayexhibit.jpg?300|}}+[{{ :vehicles:enolagayexhibit.jpg?300|Enola Gay on display in the Smithsonian.}}]
  
 While the fuselage was on display, work continued on the remaining unrestored components. The aircraft was shipped in pieces to the National Air and Space Museum's Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center in Chantilly, Virginia from March–June 2003, with the fuselage and wings reunited for the first time since 1960 on April 10th 2003 and assembly completed on August 8th 2003. The aircraft has been on display at the Udvar-Hazy Center since the museum annex opened on December 15th 2003. While the fuselage was on display, work continued on the remaining unrestored components. The aircraft was shipped in pieces to the National Air and Space Museum's Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center in Chantilly, Virginia from March–June 2003, with the fuselage and wings reunited for the first time since 1960 on April 10th 2003 and assembly completed on August 8th 2003. The aircraft has been on display at the Udvar-Hazy Center since the museum annex opened on December 15th 2003.
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 However, as the 21st century wore on, bringing new economic problems, it eventually became necessary for America's retirees to once-again return to the workforce, and war heroes are no exception. The Enola Gay was summoned back to service on November 1st 2023, now outfitted with GPS navigation and even more destructive payloads than ever before. The Enola Gay now splits its time between signing autographs at the Smithsonian, and going on leisurely bombing runs and crop-dusting missions. However, as the 21st century wore on, bringing new economic problems, it eventually became necessary for America's retirees to once-again return to the workforce, and war heroes are no exception. The Enola Gay was summoned back to service on November 1st 2023, now outfitted with GPS navigation and even more destructive payloads than ever before. The Enola Gay now splits its time between signing autographs at the Smithsonian, and going on leisurely bombing runs and crop-dusting missions.
  
-===== Gallery =====+===== Interior Photos =====
  
 <gallery> <gallery>
 :vehicles:12gup-jumbo.webp Inside | Inside the cockpit :vehicles:12gup-jumbo.webp Inside | Inside the cockpit
 :vehicles:nasm-si-2003-29360-000001.jpg :vehicles:nasm-si-2003-29360-000001.jpg
-:vehicles:nasm-si-2004-58021-a.jpg 
 :vehicles:nasm-si-2009-12457.jpg :vehicles:nasm-si-2009-12457.jpg
 :vehicles:nasm-si-2009-12475-000001.jpg :vehicles:nasm-si-2009-12475-000001.jpg
 :vehicles:nasm-si-2009-12478.jpg :vehicles:nasm-si-2009-12478.jpg
 :vehicles:nasm-si-2009-12500-000001.jpg :vehicles:nasm-si-2009-12500-000001.jpg
 +:vehicles:nasm-si-2009-12469-000001.jpg
 +:vehicles:nasm-si-2009-12464-000001.jpg
 +:vehicles:nasm-si-2009-12465-000001.jpg
 +:vehicles:nasm-si-2009-12471-000001.jpg
 +:vehicles:nasm-si-2009-12470-000001.jpg
 +:vehicles:nasm-si-2009-12466-000001.jpg
 </gallery> </gallery>
  
vehicles/enola-gay.1717737068.txt.gz · Last modified: 2024/08/06 05:54 (external edit)

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