Maybe it is the camera angle but the four engines appear to be tucked in really close to the fuselage, as compared to later heavy bombers. There is a lot of wing outboard of the engines.
Yes, the wingspan and weight match those of the XB-19. But notice: range, cruise speed and cargo capacity are closer to the B-29. Also note the four engines will supposedly develope "24,000 horsepower" -- 2,400 per engine was more like it.
"In February 1940, four aircraft companies received letters from the Army Air Corps (predecessor of the Army Air Force which was established June 20, 1941) requesting proposals for a new long-range heavy bomber."The Boeing Airplane Company and Consolidated-Vultee Aircraft Company submitted proposals.
"Commanding Officer of the Army Air Corps, General Henry H. “Hap” Arnold, authorized the funds for both companies to build prototypes and begin wind tunnel testing. Consolidated’s prototype was given the designation "XB-32, the Dominator." Only 114 B-32s were built, with few used in combat.
"It was Boeing’s revolutionary design, the XB-29, that the Army Air Corps preferred. The plane would be called “the B-29 Superfortress.”"
The XB-19 first flew in June 1941, the B-29 in September 1942, the same month as its Consolidated rival B-32:
Douglas XB-19:
Consolidated B-32:
Boeing B-29:
