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The T-12 at the US Air Force Armament Museum.
The 44,000 lb T-12 Cloudmaker General Purpose bomb is an “earthquake” bomb developed by the United States Air Force from 1944 to 1948. It is essentially an enlarged version of the British Grand Slam bomb, but twice the size. While the T-12 was intended to be used on the B-36 Peacemaker, this suggestion is specifically about the possibility of adding the T-12 as an additional payload for the B-29 Superfortress, the initial test carrier for the bomb.
History
Spoiler
The only image of the T-12 Cloudmaker bomb on the B-29 I could find. From October 1951 issue of Popular Science magazine.
The T-12 Cloudmaker was created in 1944 as the most extreme version of the “earthquake bomb” concept originated from the British Tallboy and Grand Slam bombs designed by Barnes Wallis. After reports emerged that the Grand Slam bombs are still incapable of destroying heavily reinforced concrete structure, such as submarine pens.
By principles, an earthquake bomb was designed to be to be “the largest bomb possible dropped from the highest altitude possible” in order to maximize damage and ground penetration. As such a logical improvement over the Grand Slam is to create an even bigger version of it. The T-12 was designed to be twice as large as the Grand Slam, and as such it can only be carried by an extremely large aircraft like the B-36 Peacemaker, which is still under development at that time.
During this interim period, the USAF conducted the test of the T-12 by converting the existing B-29 Superfortress to carry the massive bomb. While the B-29 is more than capable of carrying such payload, evident by its ability to carry two Grand Slam bombs on its wings, an extensive modification is required to carry it. The rear bombing bay door was removed entirely, and a special bomb release mechanism was made specifically for it. Although there was fear that carrying and dropping such a large bomb would cause the B-29 to lose its momentum, the test drop conducted on 1948 proved that the B-29 is capable of carrying the bomb.
However, due to advent of nuclear bombs and jet bombers, the concept of a large “earthquake bombs” became obsolete, as more destructive bombs can be produced in smaller size and carried by faster plane. The T-12 would remain in the USAF arsenal until 1958 when it was phased out of service.
Specifications
Spoiler
Total mass: 20,000 kg (44,000 lbs)
Filler: 8,000 kg (18,000 lbs) of Tritonal
TNT equivalent: ~9,440 kg
Sources
Spoiler
T-12 Cloudmaker - Wikipedia
“The Extra-Super Blockbuster” Archived 2012-06-03 at the Wayback Machine by Dr. William S. Coker. Air University Review, March-April 1967.
“Big Bomb Tight Fit In B-29 Bomb Bays”, Popular Science, October 1951, p. 144. Photo showing T-12 being fitted to B-29 bomb bay
The story of the T-12 Cloudmaker, the 44,000 lb earthquake bomb carried by the B-36 Peacemaker - The Aviation Geek Club
T-12 Cloudmaker — Википедия
