B-17 and B-24: plausible upgrades?

[Airborne2001]

Regarding some of the early comments in the thread about getting entirely new and better bombers sooner, perhaps we could look at the BLR (Bomber Long Range) program:

The XB-19 was the largest US bomber ever built until the B-36 came along.

The XB-15 was going to be modified into the Y1B-20, which would've been both larger and faster.

 

[muskeg13]

Regarding some of the early comments in the thread about getting entirely new and better bombers sooner, perhaps we could look at the BLR (Bomber Long Range) program:

View attachment 848725
The XB-19 was the largest US bomber ever built until the B-36 came along.

View attachment 848726
The XB-15 was going to be modified into the Y1B-20, which would've been both larger and faster.

Improved versions of these might be able to start bombing the Japanese home islands sooner. With their range, Tokyo and other major cities were possible from Alaskan bases. How about a medium-low level night bombing campaign prior to the Mariana Islands being secured for B-29 bases?

 

[T Bolt]

Building the XB-19 prototype was a nightmare for Douglas. If they had been given the go-ahead to build production models I don't think they would have been able to put out more than a hand full of them.