Officially, 34 B-29s were lost during the Korean War: 16 were destroyed by fighter aircraft, 14 by other causes, and four by anti-aircraft weapons.
The B-29 bombers performed 21,000 missions, dropped 167,000 tons of bombs, and only took 26 days off from combat throughout the conflict.
On the other hand, the gunners of the B-29 claimed to have shot down 27 enemy aircraft, 16 of which were MiG-15s, in addition to possibly shooting down another 17 and damaging 11 MiG-15s.
The following is a list of known 80 B-29 lost in Korea using the KORWALD Report and Robert A. Mann material:
| Serial NO | Date | Unit | Cause | Aircraft name | Comment |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 42-65306 | 1951-10-02 | FE/ 19BG/ 28BS | Operational loss | The Outlaw | Crashed on takeoff for test flight at Kadena AFB, Okinawa. One of four planes flying first B-29 mission of Korean Conflict June 27, 1950 |
| 42-65353 | 1950-10-05 | SAC/ 98BW | Operational loss | Unnamed | Engine fire, crew abandoned 10 miles west of Wakamatsu. |
| 42-65357 | 1953-01-29 | FE/ 19BG/ 28BS | Combat loss | Double or Nothin’ | Last B-29 of Korean Conflict shot down over Korea. Lost at Mong Yang. Downed by MiGs at night 10-12 mi S of Pyongyang (18 mi E of Sariwon). Plane originally was Shady Lady of 98BG. Damaged in June 1951, returned to U.S. for overhaul, sent back to 19BG. |
| 42-65369 | 1951-04-06 | FE/ 19BG/ 93BS | Operational loss | Black Sheep | Crashed, burned off runway at Kadena, Okinawa. Gear failed. |
| 42-93974 | 1952-11-09 | SAC/ 98BW/ 343BS | Combat loss | Bigham | Night leaflet dropping mission, hit by AAA near Chongju, crew bailed out over Paengnyongdo, SAR effort conducted |
| 42-94045 | 1951-10-23 | SAC/ 307BW/ 371BS | Combat loss | Unnamed | Shot down by Lt. Col Aleksandr P. Smorchkov at Namsi, North Korea at 0920L, last seen in a tight spiral, 3rd ARSq SA-16 Dumbos participated in SAR effort, a total of approx 233 SAR missions flown, surface vessels impeded by rough seas |
| 42-94072 | 1950-09-08 | SAC/ 307BW/ 371BS | Operational loss | Unnamed | Crashed into East China Sea 5 mi off Okinawa in 200 ft of water, extensive SAR effort conducted |
| 44-27262 | 1953-01-23 | SAC/ 307BG | Unknown | Unnamed | Crashed near Tom-Ni, North Korea, 10 crew members bailed out successfully |
| 44-27288 | 1950-09-10 | FE/ 19BG/ 28BS | Combat loss | Atomic Tom | Major battle damage |
| 44-27326 | 1951-09-13 | SAC/ 98BW | Operational loss | United Notions | Crashed into mountain near Taeam-dong, approx 3.5 mi NE of K-2 (Taegu) |
| 44-27332 | Unknown | SAC/ 92BW | Unknown | Unknown | Unknown |
| 44-61617 | 1950-10-26 | SAC/ 92BG/ 327BS | Unknown | Nipp-on-Nees | Loss due to unknown causes |
| 44-61656 | 1951-10-22 | FE/ 19BG/ 30BS | Combat loss | Cream of the Crop | Shot down by Lt. Col Aleksandr P. Smorchkov at 1517L. No. 1 engine and hydraulic system knocked out. Crew bailed out over Yellow Sea, 3rd ARS rescue, all rescued. |
| 44-61693 | 1952-05-05 | FE/ 19BG/ 30BS | Unknown | Unnamed | Circumstances unknown. |
| 44-61749 | 1951-12-13 | FE/ 19BG/ 30BS | Operational loss | Southern Comfort | Operational loss, not due to enemy action, salvaged at Itazuke. |
| 44-61751 | 1952-10-31 | FE/ 19BG/ 93BS | Operational loss | Lubricating Lady | Ditched nine miles northwest of Kadena, Okinawa in North China Sea during a typhoon. Symbolically, the Halloween ditching occurred at 11:59 PM. Extensive SAR effort, three survivors |
| 44-61776 | 1952-04-01 | SAC/ 98BW/ 343BS | Operational loss | Lost Nr. 1 & 4 engines enroute to secondary target, successful bail-out approx. 3 mi N of Kansong. | |
| 44-61802 | 1953-01-10 | SAC/ 307BW/ 372BS | Combat loss | Unnamed | MiG damage in Yalu area, crew bailed out, aircraft may have crashed into water |
| 44-61810 | 1952-06-13 | SAC/ 555SRW | Combat loss | Ichiban | Shot down near Hokkaido Island by Soviet pilots Fedotov and Proskurin. |
| 44-61813 | 1950-11-09 | FE/ 55SRW/ 91SRS | Combat loss | Over Exposed | The F-13A, on a recon mission over Sinuiju, became the first B-29 to encounter MIG’s. Damaged by gunfire, 813 crashed just short of Johnson AB, Japan as a result of attack. |
| 44-61815 | 1952-10-07 | SAC/ 5RCN/ 91SRS | Combat loss | Moon’s Moonbeam/ Diajobu | Shot down on Ferret mission off Kurile islands by Russian LA-11. |
| 44-61835 | 1952-10-31 | FE/ 19BG/ 30BS | Operational loss | Dragon Lady | Exploded, crashed 15 minutes after takeoff from Kadena.. No. 3 engine on fire, right wing blown off, crashed 40 mi N of Kadena AB (Izena-shima) |
| 44-61867 | Unknown | Unknown | Unknown | Unknown | Unknown |
| 44-61872 | 1952-04-22 | SAC/ 98BW | Combat loss | Ace in the Hole | Damaged by AAA during raid against Sinanju, crash landed at K-14. KORWALD |
| 44-61908 | 1952-02-01 | SAC/ 307BW | Operational loss | Unnamed | Mid-air collision with 44-86392, crashed into the sea 5 mi off Bolo Point, Okinawa, SAR effort negative |
| 44-61923 | 1950-07-13 | SAC/ 92BW/ 325BS | Operational loss | Hoxie’s Hoax | Tail code Circle W. Bomb salvo explosion, crashed near Dogo Island, Japan. Five crewmembers successfully bailed out and were rescued |
| 44-61932 | 1952-10-24 | SAC/ 98BW/ 343BS | Combat loss | Our Girl | Shot down over Wonsan Harbor by Lt. Col Aleksandr P. Smorchkov. Crew bailed out over Wonsan Harbor near Tri-yom-do, US Navy aircraft flew RESCAP over the crew, small craft and destroyers rescued seven members of the 11-man crew |
| 44-61940 | 1951-10-23 | SAC/ 307BW/ 372BS | Combat loss | Unnamed | Damaged by MiGs near Namsi airfield, crashed 6 mi off coast of Chinnampo, 3rd ARSq SA-16 Dumbos participated in SAR effort, a total of approx 233 SAR missions flown, surface vessels impeded by rough seas |
| 44-61967 | 1952-06-10 | FE/ 19BG/ 30BS | Combat loss | Miss Jackie the Rebel | Reported hit by flak near bridge at Kwakson, North Korea, last contact at 101315Z. Evidence indicates MIG shootdown of the damaged plane. |
| 44-62011 | 1952-12-30 | FE/ 19BG/ 28BS | Combat loss | Unnamed | Shot down by MiGs (night fighters) 25 miles north of Pyongyang. |
| 44-62071 | 1950-10-27 | FE/ 19BG/ 30BS | Operational loss | Not Known If Named. | Crash landed at K-14, Kimpo Air Base, Seoul. Salvaged. |
| 44-62073 | 1952-11-08 | SAC/ 307BW/ 370BS | Combat loss | Unnamed | Shot down on night bombing mission |
| 44-62083 | 1952-01-31 | SAC/ 307BW/ 372BS | Operational loss | Unnamed | Departed Kadena AB on routine combat mission, last contact at 302154L 100 mi N. of Kadena AB. Circumstances unknown. |
| 44-62084 | 1950-09-09 | SAC/ 92BG/ 325BS | Combat loss | Unnamed | Hit by AAA, exploded in mid-air near Wolbong-ni, 5 parachutes cleared the aircraft |
| 44-62102 | 1952-11-19 | SAC/ 98BW | Combat loss | "Wright's Delight" | Shot down Cho-Do Island, North Korea |
| 44-62108 | 1951-04-10 | SAC/ 98BW/ 343BS | Operational loss | Myakinas | Night intruder mission against Sinanju/Kunu-ri, two engines out, crash landed at Taegu AB, total loss due to battle damage |
| 44-62111 | 1951-12-18 | SAC/ 92BW | Unknown | Unnamed | Tail code Circle. Surveyed at Yokota for unknown reason. |
| 44-62152 | 1950-11-15 | FE/ 19BG/ 93BS | Operational loss | Stateside Reject | Crashed on takeoff from Kadena, surveyed 12/19/50. |
| 44-62166 | 1952-07-22 | FE/ 19BG/ 93BS | Operational loss | Fujigmo | On test flight eyewitness reports “...they shut down #1 engine inflight ... copilot was making the landing, came in high and hot and AC took control too late. Got behind the power curve on three engines, and airplane did a slow banking turn into the weak side and cartwheeled in the infield. Luckily there were survivors.”. Crashed NE of Ocho-o, South Korea (midway between K-3 and K-18) |
| 44-62167 | 1952-08-30 | SAC/ 98BW/ 344BS | Operational loss | Bust in the Blue | Missed approach, attempted to go around, crashed 4 mi NE of Taegu(K-2), SK near village of Sangdaegok-tong |
| 44-62183 | 1952-06-10 | FE/ 19BG/ 28BS | Combat loss | Hot to Go | Night msn, downed by MiG using rockets, exploded in mid-air near Kwaksan, NK. Karelin Soviet pilot. |
| 44-62211 | Unknown | SAC/ 92BW | Unknown | Unknown | Unknown |
| 44-62217 | 1953-01-13 | SAC/ 55SRW/ 91SRS | Combat loss | Unnamed | Shot down by Dobrovichan during leaflet drop mission, Mayday at 122316L |
| 44-62252 | 1951-04-12 | SAC/ 307BW/ 371BS | Combat loss | Unnamed | Tail section damaged by MiGs while attacking Sinuiju RR bridge across Yalu, crashed into hill near Suwon (10 mi S of Seoul). Salvaged 5/14/52 |
| 44-62279 | 1950-10-19 | SAC/ 22BG/ 33BS | Operational loss | Unnamed | Engine fire on takeoff, crashed in sea. |
| 44-69682 | 1951-04-12 | FE/ 19BG/ 93BS | Combat loss | Atomic Tom | Attacked by MIGs. No. 2 engine and then entire wing caught fire, exploded, crashed into mountain, tail gunner of B-29 6323 observed crash, no parachutes observedsurveyed 5/14/51. Tom was one of four planes flying first B-29 mission of Korean Conflict June 27, 1950. |
| 44-69802 | 1952-09-13 | FE/ 19BG/ 28BS | Operational loss | Bait Me? | Iced up, stalled and crashed 21 miles southwest of Kangnung, South Korea( near Hyolchon-ni). 11KIA, three survivors. |
| 44-69803 | 1952-02-28 | SAC/ 98BW/ 344BS | Operational loss | Loaded ’Leven | Engine problems, most of crew bailed out in extreme NE corner of the Punchbowl, VMO-6 SAR effort |
| 44-69817 | 1951-05-02 | FE/ 19BG/ 28BS | Operational loss | Hot to Go (2nd) | Ramp accident 2/5/51. Surveyed this date. |
| 44-69818 | 1953-07-07 | FE/ 19BG/ 28BS | Operational loss | Star Duster, Originally Rough Roman | On tactical mission, poor weather at recovery airfields, low on fuel, crashed during landing approach at K-3 (Pohang) |
| 44-69866 | 1950-07-12 | FE/ 19BG/ 28BS | Combat loss | Unnamed | Damaged by three Yak-9s near Seoul, engine fire, crew bailed out at 1520L |
| 44-70042 | 1951-12-18 | FE/ 19BG/ 28BS | Unknown | Lemon Drop Kid | Circumstances unknown |
| 44-70151 | 1951-10-23 | SAC/ 307BW/ 370BS | Combat loss | Unnamed | Shot up by D’Yachenko at Namsi Airfield, crew bailed out in Chinnampo/Inchon area (Yellow Sea), 3rd ARSq SA-16 Dumbos participated in SAR effort, approx 233 SAR missions flown, surface vessels impeded by rough seas |
| 44-86247 | 1952-11-18 | SAC/ 98BW/ 344BS | Operational loss | M P I | Crashed on takeoff at Yokota. Crew survived, eleven firefighters killed. |
| 44-86256 | 1950-10-17 | SAC/ 22BG/ 717BS | Unknown | Unnamed | Surveyed, reason unknown. |
| 44-86268 | 1951-04-07 | SAC/ 307BW/ 371BS | Combat loss | Unnamed | Combat mission over N. Korea, F-84s escorting, damaged by 2 MiG-15s, two engines out, pilot ordered bail out, crashed into the water 4 mi off NW N. Korea, 7 fighter aircraft and 3 SAR aircraft participated in SAR effort, one crewman rescued .Surveyed 5/14/51 |
| 44-86273 | 1951-10-14 | SAC/ 98BG | Operational loss | Lil Darlin | Returning from combat msn, 1 engine out, crash landed at Yokota AB, hit Bowling Alley and Laundry. |
| 44-86280 | Unknown | Unknown | Unknown | Unknown | Unknown |
| 44-86284 | Unknown | SAC/ 98BW/ 343BS | Unknown | Down's Clowns | Unknown |
| 44-86295 | 1951-10-23 | FE/ 307BG/ 372BS | Operational loss | “B Flight.” | Damaged by MiGs, landed at Kimpo AB (K-14). Badly damaged, transferred to Depot for disposition. Depot repaired, returned to duty. Next assignment unknown. |
| 44-86327 | 1951-06-01 | SAC/ 98BW/ 343BS | Combat loss | Unnamed | Shot down Kwakson by Yegeny Mikhailovich Stelmah (18th GIAP/303rd IAD).No. 3 engine on fire, 4 parachutes observed by crew of B-29 6272, 4 flights of 4 18th FBGp F-51s conducted SAR effort, negative results (F-51D-Capt Moore-shot down). Surveyed 7/14/51. |
| 44-86328 | 1950-09-15 | FE/ 19BG/ 28BS | Operational loss | Unnamed | Major accident/crash on takeoff at Kadena. Surveyed 10/4/50. |
| 44-86330 | 1951-12-18 | FE/ 98BG/ 343BS | Combat loss | Ape Ship | Tail code Square H. Shot down, location unknown. |
| 44-86343 | 1952-09-13 | SAC/ 307BW/ 371BS | Combat loss | Unnamed | Hit by AAA and exploded in mid-air over Suiho Hydroelectric Plant |
| 44-86357 | 1951-08-25 | SAC/ 307BW/ 372BS | Combat loss | Unnamed | Hit by AAA near Sunchon, crew bailed out, aircraft exploded 11 miles W of Sunan, NK, (between Sunan and Kowan-ni) |
| 44-86370 | 1951-04-12 | FE/ 19BG/ 93BS | Combat loss | Lucky Dog/ Fujigmo | Damaged during MiG attack, No. 1 engine caught fire, ditched, debris and oil slick found, no parachutes observed, extensive SAR effort negative. Also one of four planes flying first B-29 mission of Korean Conflict June 27, 1950. |
| 44-86371 | 1951-05-07 | SAC/ 98BW/ 345BS | Combat loss | Unnamed | Hit by AAA over Pyongyang, damaged No. 3 & 4 engines hit which possibly caused explosion, lost wing, 4-5 chutes observed, Navy SA-16 and USS Bataan fighter aircraft conducted SAR effort with negative results |
| 44-86392 | 1952-11-19 | SAC/ 98BW/ 354BS | Combat loss | Wright’s Delights/ The Chosen Few | Shot down Ch’o Do Island, North Korea. Crashed 5 miles north of Ch’o Do Island. |
| 44-86400 | 1952-03-31 | SAC/ 98BG/ 344BS | Operational loss | Big Gass Bird/ Chotto Mate | Four minutes after take-off, struck a small hill near village of Daimon, 6 mi NW of Yokota AB, Japan and burned |
| 44-86414 | Unknown | Unknown | Unknown | Unknown | Unknown |
| 44-86415 | 1951-09-19 | SAC/ 98BW/ 343BS | Operational loss | Squeeze Play/ Miss Mi-Nookie/ Destination Known | On leaflet dropping mission, ditched in Sea of Japan, extensive air and surface SAR effort negative |
| 44-86436 | 1951-06-20 | SAC/ 98BW/ 343BS | Combat loss | Unknown | Flying in three-ship formation, left wing damaged by AAA approx 3 mi S of Hwangju. |
| 44-87618 | 1951-04-12 | FE/ 19BG/ 30BS | Operational loss | No Sweat | Heavy battle damage due to AAA and MiG-15s, damage included No. 2 & 4 engines out, hydraulic system shot out, crash landed at Seoul Municipal Airport, salvaged, no personnel losses |
| 44-87734 | 1952-01-23 | FE/ 19BG/ 93BS | Operational loss | Double Whammy | With engine out and unable to feather prop, notified Air Group Command they were aborting and going to K- 14. Crashed N of Chinnampo. Following search found no trace of plane or crew. Another of the four planes that flew first B-29 mission of Korean Conflict. |
| 45-21721 | 1952-02-07 | SAC/ 98BW/ 345BS | Operational loss | Tail Wind/ Burk’s Jerks/ Sweet Judy II | Crashed in a snow storm five miles north of base after takeoff from Yokota. All 13 aboard were killed. |
| 45-21725 | 1951-04-06 | SAC/ 307BW/ 370BS | Operational loss | Unnamed | Crash landed at Naha AB, Okinawa in bad weather after combat mission over Korea on March 29. Surveyed April 6 |
| 45-21745 | 1952-02-14 | FE/ 19BG/ 30BS | Unknown | Lucifer | Surveyed, circumstances unknown. Modified to carry Tarzon bomb |
| 45-21749 | 1951-03-29 | FE/ 19BG/ 93BS | Operational loss | Unnamed | Two engines out after explosion, apparently from a Tarzon bomb salvo, crashed over E. China Sea NW of Okinawa. Col Payne Jennings, Group Commander, aboard. 2rd ARS Sq, Flight C participated in SAR effort, results negative |
| 45-21814 | 1950-11-10 | SAC/ 307BW/ 371BS | Combat loss | Unnamed | Attacked by 6 MiG-15s, downed by MiG - 7 mi SW of Kusong, NK, wreckage sighted |
| 45-21822 | 1952-01-29 | SAC/ 98BW/ 344BS | Operational loss | Heavenly Laden | Engine fire, crashed in Tokyo area near Yokohama, 5 mi W of Yokosuka, crew bailed out successfully |
Further reading
- Boeing B-29 Superfortress Facts: 11 things to know
- Boeing B-29 Superfortress Units of the Korean War (1950-1953)
- The B-29’s Campaign in the Korean War: A chronology
Bibliography and source
- The B-29 Superfortress: A Comprehensive Registry of the Planes and Their Missions by Robert A. Mann
- The B-29 Superfortress Chronology, 1934–1960 by Robert A. Mann
- Korean War Air Loss (KORWALD) Report by Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency
Were the B29 pilots in the Korean War drawn from WWII B29 pilots recalled or were they voluntarily enlistees…….if you know.
My oldest brother was a WWII b-29 pilot who flew missions from Saipan and was re-called during the Korean War and who, based only my understanding, flew transports from Korea to Japan with wounded GI’s. He died of cancer while on active duty as a Lt. Col. in 1964. Is there a roster somewhere of the B29 pilots who flew combat missions in Korea? Thank you.
Hi Bennett, sorry to hear about the loss of your brother.
With the conversion of B-29 units to B-47 and necessary rotation of Korean war combat crews, by spring of 1951, almost all B-29 replacement crews in Korea were World War II reservists.
At the moment, I cant help you with that roster. But perhaps there is a list of B-29 pilots in the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA) or the Air Force Historical Research Agency (AFHRA).
Thanks for this site–very informative!
My Dad worked in an air weather wing in Tokyo plotting weather for the B 29s flying in and out of Korea. He told us about his radio contact with one plane that lost two engines and was never heard from again, but I’m not sure of the date of that event.
Would you know if any of these would have been in radio contact with Tokyo?