Part 6/9:
The Enola Gay was a B-29 Super Fortress, one of the most advanced bombers of World War II. Not only did it possess a significant payload capacity—up to 20,000 pounds—but it was also armed with up to 12 .50 caliber machine guns for defense, fulfilling its role as a formidable aircraft in an increasingly mechanized world.
With a wingspan of approximately 141 feet (43 meters) and a gross weight of around 140,000 pounds (63,502 kilograms), the B-29 showcased the engineering advances of its time and was instrumental in the successful deployment of atomic weapons.
The Sequence of Detonation
A step-by-step breakdown of how "Little Boy" operated reveals intricate engineering behind its design.
- Arming plugs were pulled sequentially to prepare for detonation.