B-29 Cockpit Canopy

[Pips]

Looking at the internal cockpit view of the B-29, Commemorative AF.

Would think that sun-glare off the curve of the Plexiglas would pose quite a few problems (view-wise) for the pilots. Anyone know if that was indeed the case?

[LineDoggie]

Sunglasses were USAAF issue items and tinted AN 6530 (and earlier B7 and later B8's)goggles also so if it were, they were likely mitigated

[Pips]

Most pilots (fighter and bomber) flew with either sunglasses or heavily tinted goggles, as sun glare is at altitude is very fierce.

The issue of sun glare through the very generous B-29 canopy (and He-111 for that matter) isn't so much the issue (although no doubt a very real problem).
What I'm more interested in is whether the curved nature of the canopy caused a mirroring effect due to sun glare, and how that may have affected forward visibility from the pilots seat. Especially in the take-off and landing sequence.

[R Leonard]

Repeated exposure, such as on might acquire as a pilot, to high altitude glare is a really great way to develop a pterygium, a tissue growth usually starting at the corner of the eye nearest the nose and gradually extending over the cornea. I knew not a few naval aviators with that problem. Easily remedied with some deft surgery, untreated it will eventually cover the entire eye. Now days, in the US, known as surfer's eye. In the USN it was, and probably still is, something they watched for in annual physicals. Treatment allowed one to continue in flight status.

[Mark in Cleveland, Tn.]

Looking at the internal cockpit view of the B-29, Commemorative AF.

Would think that sun-glare off the curve of the Plexiglas would pose quite a few problems (view-wise) for the pilots. Anyone know if that was indeed the case?

Interesting question,,I will post yuor question to several friends (realones) who restored many of the CAF's warbirds in the ast, and a couple of them actually have flown in Fi Fi.. and I will ask the owner of Fantasy Of Flights Kermit Weeks (his restore staff) via email your question as he has actually flown B-29's ..Will take a while to get responses back

[Pips]

Thanks Mark, greatly appreciated. Will be interesting to hear first hand comments.

[Mark in Cleveland, Tn.]

I sent an email to Fantasy Of Flight, and one to Kermit Weeks with your questions, up to them and him to reply back to me.. I would ask an *ex* who was very heavy involved in CAF restorations and flights,but more than likely tell me to suck an egg.bahaha

[Mark in Cleveland, Tn.]

Well, the pilots, CAF members who have flown FiFi in reality have all notified me they received this inquiry, but none have forwarded any info.I invited them to join our group-forum so we can learn new things, so it's in their ballpark if they want to answer about cockpit glare.Since all of these guys are well, old aged, they might not want to be bothered

[Pips]

Thanks for trying Mark, greatly appreciated.