The B-29 Superfortress debuted 73 years ago today - relive it's legacy in photos

US Army Air Forces Birdsall, Stephen via Wikimedia Commons

A B-29 from the 468th Bombardment group attacking Hatto, Formosa on 18 October 1944 with high-explosive bombs. Overshot runway due to prop failure Jun 17, 1945 at West Field, Tinian.

On September 21, 1942, 73 years ago, the maiden flight of the Boeing B-29 "Superfortress" took place.

The plane was the successor of Boeing's ultra-tough B-17 "Flying Fortress," and the predecessor to the B-52 "Stratofortress," which is still in use today.

The plane would become the long range, heavy bombing workhorse of the Pacific theater of World War II, where it achieved fame and infamy for dropping Atomic bombs on Hiroshima and Nagasaki.

Relive the legacy of this iconic bomber in the slides below.