Aircraft History
Tail Number 89.

Mission History
On August 9, 1945 this B-29 took off from North Field Airstrip on Tinian Island at 0230 hours. It is followed by 2 observation B-29s: The GREAT ARTISTE piloted by Captain Frederick C Bock (who has exchanged planes with Sweeney for the mission) and another B-29 piloted by Major James I Hopkins (who loses contact with the other 2 B-29s).

Over Japan, the primary target, Kokura, was obscured by bad weather; the secondary target, Nagasaki was bombed instead. The atomic bomb "Fat Man" was dropped from 28,900 feet (8,809 meters) at 1158 hours (1058 hours Nagasaki time), explodes about a minute after release. Japanese reports claim nearly 24,000 killed; US figures estimate about 35,000. The attacking B-29s refuel on Okinawa, and return to Tinian by 2339 hours.

Post War
Converted to Silverplate Victor number 77. Attached to 509th Compsoite Group, Roswell, NM. Afterwards, stored at the Davis-Monthan Museum begining on September 11, 1946.

Display
The aircraft was donated to the USAF Museum in September 1961. It is currently on static display in the WWII aviation hanger, with a replica atomic bomb.

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Last Updated
October 1, 2009