Original U.S. WWII 509th Composite Group B-29 ”Silverplate” Superfortress Bombardier’s Window Panel Signed by 70+ Flying Personnel of the Group - 26 ½ x 32 ½ x 5”
In stock
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Original Item. One-of-a-Kind. On 6 and 9 August 1945, the United States detonated two atomic bombs over the Japanese cities of Hiroshima and Nagasaki respectively. Japan surrendered to the Allies on 15 August, six days after the bombing of Nagasaki and the Soviet Union's declaration of war against Japan and invasion of Japanese-occupied Manchuria. The Japanese government signed the instrument of surrender on 2 September, effectively ending the war.
This is a truly unique centerpiece that will claim the envy of any who gaze upon it in your collection! This Bombardier’s left side window panel was removed from a B-29 Superfortress “Silverplate” which served with the 393rd Bombardment Squadron (VH) and 320th Troop Carrier Squadron. The window has been signed by over 70 men, all members of the flying personnel of the 509th Composite Group, who carried out the missions that delivered the atomic bombs on Japan on August 6 and 9, 1945, bringing World War II to an end.
Silverplate was the code reference for the United States Army Air Forces' participation in the Manhattan Project during World War II. Originally the name for the aircraft modification project which enabled a B-29 Superfortress bomber to drop an atomic weapon, "Silverplate" eventually came to identify the training and operational aspects of the program as well. The original directive for the project had as its subject line "Silver Plated Project," but continued usage of the term shortened it to "Silverplate".
Seventeen production Silverplate aircraft were ordered in August 1944 to allow the 509th Composite Group to train with the type of aircraft they would fly in combat, and for the 216th Army Air Forces Base Unit to test bomb configurations. These were followed by 28 more aircraft that were ordered in February 1945 for operational use by the 509th Composite Group. This batch included the aircraft which were used in the atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki in August 1945. Including the Pullman B-29, 46 Silverplate B-29s were produced during and after World War II. An additional 19 Silverplate B-29s were ordered in July 1945, which were delivered between the end of the war and the end of 1947. Thus, 65 Silverplate B-29s were made. The use of the Silverplate codename was discontinued after the war, but modifications continued under a new codename, Saddletree.
The panel is professionally housed within an acrylic and wood display case which measures 26 ½ x 32 ½ x 5”. There are roughly 70+ names on the panel, but due to their organization we cannot accurately count them. On the right side of the frame is a photo signed by Paul W. Gruning, Bombardier of the B-29 Jabit III on the Hiroshima mission, and below that is a photo signed by John L. Downey, Bombardier aboard the B-29 Laggin’ Dragon.
There is an exorbitant amount of research to be done on each individual signature, and the display is already set up professionally. This will easily become the centerpiece of any World War II or aviation collection.
Ready for further research and display!
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