In article ,
Mike Marron writes:
(Peter Stickney) wrote:

[B-24 vs. B-29 wing specs snipped for brevity]

But it also cruises much faster. This is due to the lower total drag
of the airplane due to the much more streamlined shape.

Not to mention the Superfort's extra *4,000* total horsepower and four
humongous four-blade 17-ft. diameter props!

Seems that this has come up before. Actually, no, the extra power
really down't enter into it.

Cruise (Max L/D) occurs at the Equivalent Airspeed where the drag is
at a minimum. This occurs at the point where the Induced Drag, which
is decreasing as the speed increases(4th root of EAS), and the Profile
Drag, which is increasing with the square of the EAS. That's the
point where the minumum amount of thrust/power to keep flying occurs.
Note that the amount of installed power doesn't enter into it at all.

High power is useful, however, for times when more power than that
requiring maintaining cruising flight is important, such as when
climbing, or for takeoff, or maneuvering flight.

--
Pete Stickney
A strong conviction that something must be done is the parent of many
bad measures. -- Daniel Webster