Bockscar was the B-29 bomber that dropped the Fat Man atomic bomb on Nagasaki during the final days before Japan’s surrender.
Bockscar carried out the mission on August 9, 1945, three days after Enola Gay dropped Little Boy on Hiroshima. Major Charles W. Sweeney piloted the aircraft, which belonged to the 393rd Bombardment Squadron of the 509th Composite Group.
Nagasaki was the secondary target. Thick cloud and smoke obscured Kokura, the primary target, so the crew diverted to Nagasaki after several attempted approaches. Bockscar released Fat Man at about 10:58 a.m. local time.
The aircraft’s name came from its regular pilot, Captain Frederick C. Bock, although Sweeney flew the Nagasaki mission. The Great Artiste and The Big Stink accompanied the operation in support roles. Bockscar survived the war and is now displayed at the National Museum of the United States Air Force in Dayton, Ohio.