Warplanes of the USA: New Mexico, Albuquerque, National Museum of Nuclear Science and History

Albuquerque, National Museum of Nuclear Science and History, 601 Eubank at Southern Blvd.  (505) 245-2137.

(Author Photo)

(Jack Gilbert Photo)

Boeing B-29 Superfortress (Serial No. 45-21748), C/N 13643.  According to David Hoover, Curator and Collections Manager for the National Museum of Nuclear Science and History, this B-29 did not have a name.  It came out of the factory the day Nagasaki was bombed.  It was most likely with the 19th bomb group in Guam during the Korean War (unconfirmed), and may have have been used as a test bed for the Tarzon missile program.  It may have had a name then. 45-21748 also served with the 509th Bomb Group at Roswell AAF/ Walker AFB in New Mexico. The museum staff conducted a deep scan of the aircraft's surface which allowed them to see past decades of paint to the bare plates, but found no evidence of it having nose art.  (Having nose art is usually evidence of an aircraft that has been in combat).  While it was on display at Chanute AFB, it was painted as the "Enola Gay" and traces of this name were found in the scan under the paint.  The museum does not have information about any missions it may have flown in Korea.  It was at Eglin in 1950 probably to have it modified for use as a test bed.  The museum would like to find any photographs of this plane when it was in active service.  Contributions would be most welcome to help preserve the record of this historic aircraft.  This aircraft is also reported as Boeing B-29 Superfortress (Serial No. 44-69983), "Duke of Albuquerque".

(Jack Gilbert Photos)

Boeing B-47E-11-BW Stratojet (Serial No. 53-2280).  In the 1960s this aircraft was used as a test bed at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base under the designation JB-47E. It was the first USAF aircraft with a fly-by-wire control system. It was transferred to the NMUSAF in 1969 and displayed until 2003. In 2013 it was transferred to the National Museum of Nuclear Science & History in Albuquerque, New Mexico for permanent display.

(Author Photo)

(kameniev Photo)

Boeing RB-52B Stratofortress (Serial No. 52-0013), C/N 16503.  This aircraft dropped the 3.75 megaton Mark 15 thermo-nuclear bomb over Bikini Atoll on 21 May 1956, while flying with the Air Research and Development Command.

(Author Photos)

LTV TA-7C Corsair II USN (BuNo. 154407), modified A-7B, C/N B-047.

(Author Photo)

(Allen Jones Photos)

Republic F-105D Thunderchief (Serial No. 61-0107), C/N D302, mounted on a pylon.

Other exhibits with the museum include: 280 MM Atomic Cannon (Atomic Annie), Mk.17 Bomb, B-58 Pod (carries a weapon or extra fuel), Honest John Motorized Launcher, Nike Hercules Air Defense Missile, Bomarc Air Defense Missile, Mace Cruise Missile, Matador Cruise Missile, Snark Cruise Missile, Titan II Missile and Trailer, Jupiter Missile and Trailer, Peackeeper MX Missile, Mk. 53 Bomb, A-3 Polaris Missile, Hound Dog Cruise Missile, Thor Missile and Trailer, Minuteman Missile, and USS James K. Polk Submarine Sail.

General Dynamics F-16 Fighting Falcon (Serial No. 78-0050).

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