Dates

Event

Constructed as a B-29-65-BW by Boeing at Wichita, Kansas, USA.

13 February 1945

Taken on Strength/Charge with the United States Army Air Force with s/n 44-69846.

After February 1945

Transferred to 398th BS, 504th BG, North Field, Tinian, Mariana Islands.
Operated with markings: The Spirit of FDR, E 4

3 July 1945

Damaged.
During a night-bombing mission to Himej, Japan, The Spirit of FDR suffered a midair collision with another B-29. The other B-29s prop tore through the tail, completely destroying the rudder. The crew elected to stay with the crippled airplane, first going out to sea to be rescued by a submarine, followed by Iwo Jima, and lastly, back to Tinian Island. The Spirit of FDR landed safely and was eventually repaired with a completely new rudder.

3 July 1945

Photographer: Richard M. McFarlane via Fargo Air Museum
Notes: The shredded rudder of The Spirit of FDR. Photographed at Tinian Island.

3 July 1945

Photographer: Richard M. McFarlane via Fargo Air Museum

17 September 1948

Taken on Strength/Charge with the United States Air Force with s/n 44-69846.

Converted to a KB-29P.
Modified at Boeing, Seattle, WA.

February 1957

Transferred to 420th ARS, Seventeenth Air Force, RAF Sculthorpe, England.

2 February 1957

Destroyed in a crash.
Collided midair wih KB-29P 44-83906 over Saint Lo, Normandy, France. Total of 11 fatalities from both aircraft. The collision, at 15,000 feet, occurred in poor visibility when the lead plane lost speed and the second plane, unable to avoid it, plowed into it. Gendarmes said that the wreckage of the two tankers fell to earth about two miles apart near the village of Morigny, 20 miles from St. Lo. The third KB-29 returned safely to base. One of the injured found shelter in a farmhouse after parachuting. One airman who jumped from the flaming wreckage died from burns after reaching the ground. Two of those hospitalised were only slightly hurt and were said to be in no danger.
For more information about this other airframe see this Airframe Dossier