Images, Impressions and Applications
of the RB-29 in the Korean War
from
An Aerial Photographer’s Point of View
by Wayland Mayo

Chapter 2

THE RB-29 AND THE AIRCREW

NOW COMES THE RB-29

The country with the best intelligence of the enemy will always have a distinct advantage. In World War I airmen hand held cameras over the side of the aircraft to photograph enemy troops, trenches, airfields, bomb dumps, fuel storage areas, and barracks. The information obtained from these photos was immensely useful. This was the first actual use of aerial reconnaissance. Through the years there has been steady improvement in aircraft and cameras.


Editors Note: This web site has an excellent presentation on the early
history of airborne reconnaissance. If you choose to do so,
you
may click here for a quick review of that development
process
. You may then return to this story
via your back button.


The RB-29 was basically involved in supporting two procedures, both equally important:

1) The basic job was surveillance and bomb damage assessment. Surveillance involved keeping track of enemy movements, location of enemy aircraft, condition and usage of airfields, discovering new targets to bomb such as bridges, factories, dams, and power plants. Their job was to supply Bomber Command with complete photographic coverage of all these sites. These photos are of extreme importance in planning bombing raids. A good example of the importance of surveillance is our photographic coverage of Russian missile placement in Cuba. Photo coverage of the Inchon area in Korea provided us with material to plan and carry out successfully the Inchon invasion.

The Yalu River from 25,000 feet

I shot this from Tiger Lil at 25,000'. The Yalu looks ominous with China on the other side. — 1951, flying out of Yokota.


Manchuria from 25,000 feet

This is Manchuria, shot from Tiger Lil at 25,000' and the outside temperature was fifty below zero.


We need to know the position of every antiaircraft gun emplacement, and every missile launch site. The more photo coverage of enemy territory the better chance we will have to aggressively attack them.

2) Equally important is Bomb Damage Assessment. After the first bombers drop their bombs, the smoke and many times clouds make it impossible to accurately determine the amount of destruction. We need to know the full extent of the success or failure of the raid. The RB-29 obtains this information, usually the next day. From these photos we can determine if additional raids are required, how many planes are needed, type of bombs to be used, and pinpoint specific targets.


Editors Note: The Colonel Clarence Becker biographical presentation on this web site provides a set of graphic presentations on this subject. You may access this information by clicking here with a quick return via your back button, if you choose to do so.


THE AIR CREW

My primary aerial photography combat experience was gained as a crewmember of RB-29 #4000, “Tiger Lil.” Before we proceed, I would like to introduce you to “Tiger Lil” and her crewmembers.

Tiger Lil Crew

Standing, L to R:
Hubler, RO; King, FE; Long, Nav; Ridge, Radar; (Unident.ified),
Pilot; Campbell, A/C. —

Kneeling, L to R:
Clark, TG; DeHaven, APG; Mayo, APG; Rij, LG; Thorpe, RG; Browning, CFC.

Photo taken immediately after 25th mission. Capt. Torrey assumed A/C’s position right after.

Photo, recorded at Yokota,
ctsy. Wayland Mayo
TIGER LIL CABIN VIEWS
Above: Flight Engineer’s position.

Above Left: Aircraft Commander’s position.

Left: Cockpit view, Tiger Lil

Below: Lt. Long, Navigator
of the Tiger Lil crew.


End of Chapter 02 — Go To Chapter 03

Chapter — 01 02030405

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