The John R. Buschmann B-29 Collection

Collection

Identifier: 2015-11-19

Contents of the Collection

The John R. Buschmann collection contains materials related to the Museum of Flight's Boeing B-29 Superfortress known as "T-Square 54." The materials were collected by Lt. Col. Buschmann while researching his book T-Square 54, the Last B-29.

Series I is comprised of information about the B-29 and the 498th Bomb Group and 73rd Bomb Wing units associated with the plane. It contains six black-and-white photographs of the plane and crew members, information about the planes mechanics, and target records. These items informed the manuscript T-Square 54, the Last B-29, authored by Buschmann. There is also information about the Lowry Heritage Museum, where the plane was once housed.

Series II contains the interviews Lt. Col. Buschmann conducted when writing T-Square 54, the Last B-29. The series contains both the audiocassettes of the interviews as well as transcripts that he prepared. The interviews are with gunners, bombardiers, radio operators, and navigators, and are arranged alphabetically by interviewee.

Dates

Creation: 1944-1991

Creator

Buschmann, John R. (Person)

Language of Materials

All materials are in English, with the exception of one document that is partially in Japanese.

Conditions Governing Access

This collection is open for research and is accessible in the Dahlberg Research Center by appointment. For more information contact us.

Conditions Governing Use

The Museum of Flight (TMOF) Archives is the owner of the physical materials in the archives and makes available reproductions for research, publication, and other uses. Written permission must be obtained from TMOF archives before any publication use. TMOF does not necessarily hold copyright to all of the materials in the collections. In some cases, permission for use may require seeking additional authorization from copyright owners. Consult repository for more details.

Historical Note: Boeing B-29 Superfortress "T Square 54"

The T-Square 54 Boeing B-29 Superfortress was flown by the 498th Bomb Group during World War II. The 498th Bomb Group completed bombing missions over Japan, hitting targets such as Tokyo and Iwo Jima. The Boeing B-29 Superfortress provided troops with a plane that could carry larger payloads and fly faster than previous planes. After World War II, the T-Square 54 B-29 was modified and flown as an aerial refueling tanker in the Korean War.

Initial reconstruction of the plane was attempted at the Lowry Air Force Base's Museum in Denver, Colorado. When those restoration efforts fell through, the plane was transfered to the Museum of Flight for restoration and display.

Biographical Note: John R. Buschmann

Lieutenant Colonel John R. Buschmann is the author of T-Square 54, the Last B-29. He retired from the United States Air Force after 23 years of service and is active in the Colorado Civil Air Patrol. No further information is known.

Extent

0.9 Cubic Feet (1 full-width legal-size document box, 1 half-width legal-seize document box, and 1 card box)

Additional Description

Abstract

Lt. Col. John R. Buschmann compiled this information about the Boeing B-29 Superfortress, known as "T-Square 54," through personal research and interviews with former crew members. In 2015 these materials, including a short history of the plane written by Lt. Col. Buschmann, were donated to the Museum of Flight in an effort to keep the physical plane and its history housed in one location.

Accruals

No further accruals expected.

Related Materials at the Museum of Flight

The B-29 Superfortress referenced in this collection is on display in the Museum's Aviation Pavilion. This aircraft is on loan from the National Museum of the United States Air Force.