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Posted: 12/6/2014 2:19:44 PM EDT
"The B-32 Dominator was initially intended as insurance against failure of the B-29 program; however, the success of B-29 development and operational deployment made cancellation of the Dominator a very real possibility at several points in its development. The Army Air Forces wanted to begin replacing B-17s and B-24s with B-32s in the summer of 1944. The plan called for Mediterranean-based B-24 bomb groups to transition first, followed by other groups in the 15th Air Force and finally 8th Air Force groups. Because the B-32 test program was so far behind schedule, however, not a single B-32 was ever sent to the Mediterranean or European Theaters of Operation...
In March 1945 Gen. George Kenney, Commander of the Far Eastern Air Forces (5th AF), traveled to Washington, D.C., to ask for B-32s. He wanted B-29s but was turned down because of higher priority needs elsewhere in the PTO. After demonstrations in Washington, General Kenney convinced the Army General Staff to allow him to conduct a combat evaluation of the Dominator. A combat test plan of 11 missions was planned, and if successful, the B-32 was scheduled to replace all the B-24 groups in the Pacific Theater. Three B-32s were assigned to the 386th Bomb Squadron, 312th Bomb Group, 5th Air Force. The first combat test mission was flown against a supply depot at Antatet, Luzon, Philippines on May 29, 1945. The last mission of the generally successful combat test was flown on June 25, 1945, against bridges near Kiirun on the island of Formosa (Taiwan)." http://www.nationalmuseum.af.mil/factsheets/factsheet.asp?id=2535 Consolidated B-32 Dominator: 
Interestingly enough, though, the B-32 was involved in the last air combat between Japanese forces and the US in WWII. "The first combat mission took place on May 29, 1945. It was a strike against a Japanese supply depot in Luzon's Cayagan Valley. All three of the Dominators were to take part, but -108528 aborted on takeoff. The other two proceeded to the target. There was no opposition, and bombing runs were made from an altitude of 10,000 feet, and both aircraft returned without incident. This raid was followed by a series of attacks on Japanese targets in the Philippines, in Formosa, and on Hainan Island in the Tonkin Gulf. The only opposition encountered during these missions was some rather inaccurate flak. The tests were thus deemed a success, and plans were made to convert the entire 386th Bombardment Squadron to B-32s. The 312th BG was scheduled to move to Okinawa as soon as the conversion of the 386th BS to the B-32 was completed. Following the dropping of the atomic bombs, in August of 1945, the unit was ordered to move to Okinawa before the conversion could be carried out. Six more B-32s joined the squadron on Okinawa a few days later. Combat operations continued in spite of the de-facto cease-fire that had been called following the bombing of Nagasaki. During this time, the B-32s flew mainly photographic reconnaissance missions, most of which were unopposed. However, on August 17 a group of 4 B-32s flying over Tokyo were fired on by radar-directed flak and were attacked by Japanese fighters. The American aircraft escaped with only minor damage, claiming one confirmed fighter kill and two probables. During a reconnaissance mission over Tokyo on August 18, 42-108532 and 42-108578 were attacked by Japanese fighters. The American gunners claimed two kills and one probable, but -108578 was badly shot up and one of her crew was killed with two being injured. This was to prove to be the last combat action of World War 2." http://www.joebaugher.com/usaf_bombers/b32.html B-32 in flight: 
Airplane Commander training manual for the Dominator 
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Posted: 12/6/2014 5:41:03 PM EDT
[#1]
Wow. Wasn't even aware of that bird. Thank you.
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Posted: 12/6/2014 5:45:56 PM EDT
[#2]
Neat. I wasn't aware that aircraft ever existed either.
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Posted: 12/6/2014 5:57:46 PM EDT
[#3]
I had thought the B36 was next in line. B36's were designed to fly from conus to Japan and back. The B29 ended the war before the 36's saw combat.
ETA: Looking at this bird you can see how they came up with the C130. |
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Posted: 12/6/2014 6:05:07 PM EDT
[#4]
That was a nice bomber.
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Posted: 12/6/2014 6:10:44 PM EDT
[#5]
Sounds like it was even more trouble than the B-29, but a couple steps ahead of the B-24.
I read Unbroken...Hillenbrand did not have many nice things to say about the kinks of the B-24. 
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Posted: 12/6/2014 9:59:46 PM EDT
[#6]
Quote HistoryQuoted:
I had thought the B36 was next in line. B36's were designed to fly from conus to Japan and back. The B29 ended the war before the 36's saw combat. ETA: Looking at this bird you can see how they came up with the C130. No kidding! 
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