RAF: Fighter Tactics Against B-29s (1949-Restored)

In the early days of the Cold War, the Soviet bomber most likely to attack Western Europe was the Tu-4, an exact copy of the American Boeing B-29. During World War 2 the Soviets weren't interested in long range strategic bombing and didn't develop a bomber that was on par with the best Allied aircraft. Fortunately for them, late in the War a few American Boeing B-29s on missions to Japan landed in Estern Siberia, damaged or lost. Stalin ordered them secretly copied down to the rivets and they were in large scale production by 1949.This surprising development presented an immediate challenge to the Western Allies. The RAFs "Central Fighter Command" worked with United States Air Force units stationed in Europe to produce this film on tactics to take on the Soviets ersatz Superfortresses. The USAF supplied the bombers, the RAF the Gloster Meteor & DH Vampire fighters.
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[@marckyle5895]

It made a great deal of sense to use the B-29 for this since any attack by the USSR would have been using the Tu-4 'Bull' which was a copy of the B-29. It would have been carrying a copy of 'Fat Man'.

[@ZenosWarbirds]

The Soviets only long range strategic bomber at this time was the Tu-4, an exact copy of the B-29 made from aircraft that had landed in Eastern Siberia during WW2 . It was developed in secret & was a surprise to the West when it was revealed in 1948, already in full scale production. They had to develop tactics for dealing with it using their current jet aircraft interceptors ASAP. Hence this film.

[@ksztyrix]

​@@ZenosWarbirdsNot an exact copy. Most important changes were better engines and guns

[@tim9s]

Great video ZenosWarbirds.

[@jhettish]

I forgot about the TU4. At first glance it was, "Why was the RAF attacking B29s?"

[@cruelty6368]

I had no idea these British jets were so much slower than a Messerschmitt 262.

[@mrjockt]

The early Meteors, the Mk.III, was about 90 mph slower than the 262, although it did have better acceleration and higher maximum altitude and was considered more manoeuvrable than the 262, but at the time this film was made the Meteor F.8 was in service and the top speed had increased by almost 150 mph putting the Meteor on par with most other jet fighters of the time.

[@cruelty6368]

@@mrjockt Interesting, too, how top speed isn't really an issue, given the tactics outlined in the film. I'm wondering if the differing approaches to attacking a formation of strategic bombers were based on the experience of Luftwaffe pilots attacking formations British and American bombers.

[@Russellcr.]

​​@@mrjocktно єто 1949 война закончилась! В какой стране он стоял на вооружении?

[@twentyrothmans7308]

My friend, who lives around the corner, was an RAF officer during this time. He managed to shoot down four German aircraft, but that was in 1949, and he had to fill out all sorts of paperwork. Jokes aside, although he was a qualified glider and light aircraft pilot, they claimed that his eyesight wasn't up to being a pilot. Good idea, he's as blind as a bloody bat. He tells me that in those days, you were very well paid - even flying a desk. He bought an MG. Thank you for this, I'll watch it with him.

[@fredsalfa]

Not sure what the purpose of this film is. Maybe to study the B29s vulnerabilities. I know the B29s were decimated in Korea by Migs. Maybe they watched this film?

[@ZenosWarbirds]

I covered that in the description I wrote for the upload of this video. The Soviets only long range strategic bomber at this time was the Tu-4, an exact copy of the B-29 made from aircraft that had landed in Eastern Siberia during WW2 . It was developed in secret & was a surprise to the West when it was revealed in 1948, already in full scale production. They had to develop tactics for dealing with it using their current jet aircraft interceptors ASAP. Hence this film.

[@fredsalfa]

@@ZenosWarbirds Oh I see I missed it I’ll watch it again

[@Russellcr.]

Где ты это прочитал ? В 1951 году только начали МиГи доставать b29