With the successful test of Trinity, final preparations for the bomb's use on Japan were being made. For the past year, the 509th Composite Bomb Group, under command of Col. Paul Tibbets, had been preparing for the mission at a secluded air base in Wendover, Utah.
On June 10, 1945, the 509th Bomb Group and their new B-29 bombers arrived on Tinian, located 1,500 miles southeast of Japan. It was chosen because of its long runways, which the heavily loaded bombers would require for take-off.
The components of the bombs had been sent by cruiser to Tinian in May and the fissionable material was flown out in mid-July. The two atomic bombs were assembled on Tinian, with final assembly to be done in flight.
Enola Gay Crew
The crew of the plane that dropped the atomic bomb on Hiroshima.
Bockscar Crew
The crew of the plane that dropped the atomic bomb on Nagasaki.
Preparing Little Boy
Final preparation of Little Boy bomb.
Little Boy on Tinian
The actual bomb ready to be loaded aboard the Enola Gay.
Loading Little Boy
The actual bomb being loaded aboard the Enola Gay.
Preparing Fat Man
Final prepartions to the Fat Man bomb.
Fat Man on Tinian
The Fat Man bomb on it's transport dolly.
Loading Fat Man
Loading Fat Man into the Bockcar.
Plutonium Core
Harold Agnew with the plutonium core.
Plutonium Core
Luis Alvarez and MP holding the plutonium core.
Los Alamos Scientists
Bernard Waldman, Luiz Alvarez and Rober Serber.
Pre-flight Briefing
Hiroshima mission pre-flight briefing.
Enola Gay Officers
Major Ferebee, Col. Tibbets, Capt. Van Kirk, and Capt. Lewis.
Col. Tibbets
Col. Tibbets aboard the Enola Gay.
Enola Gay's Return
Enola Gay's return to Tinian after the Hiroshima bombing.
Enola Gay
A color photograph of Enola Gay after the Hiroshima bombing.
Enola Gay
A color photograph of Enola Gay.
Bockscar
A color photograph of Bockscar.
The Great Artiste
A color photograph of The Great Artiste.