Naval Historywith Dr. Alex

Q&A · 4:15:22-4:16:10

How Silverplate related to the B-29 program

Silverplate modified the B-29 for atomic delivery, while the bomb and aircraft had already been designed in relation to one another.

B-29 SuperfortressLive Q&AManhattan ProjectSilverplateWorld War II
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Question

Was Silverplate a separate program from the B-29?

Short answer

It was the B-29 modification program for atomic delivery, but bomb design and aircraft capacity already tied it to the wider B-29 and Manhattan work.

Notes

Silverplate was the modification work needed to adapt the B-29 to deliver an atomic bomb. The bomb's shape was already designed around the B-29's bomb bay and carrying ability, so the projects were technically connected. Developing the bomber did not remove the need for the later delivery modifications. Grouping those costs with the bomber or the atomic program affects the cost comparison.