See other History Articles
Title: Rollout a Major Milestone for B-29 Superfortress Doc
Source:
EAA
URL Source: http://www.eaa.org/en/eaa/eaa-news- ... one-for-b-29-superfortress-doc
Published: Mar 24, 2015
Author: EAA/Friends of Doc
Post Date: 2015-04-08 19:58:15 by X-15
Keywords: None
Views: 325
Comments: 15
Over the coming weeks and months, the airplane is scheduled to undergo engine run-up, followed by a first flight and additional test flights. Once airborne, Doc would become the world’s second flying B-29 along with the Commemorative Air Force’s FIFI. Doc’s Friends, the non-profit organization that owns the aircraft, has stated a goal to fly Doc to Oshkosh for EAA AirVenture 2015 (July 20-26). Since the CAF has confirmed it will bring FIFI to Oshkosh this summer, the prospect of the world’s only two flying B-29s appearing together could create a historic event for aviation enthusiasts. According to the Doc’s Friends website, Doc was originally one of eight B-29s in a squadron nicknamed “Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs.” It flew in the latter days of WWII as well as the Korean War. It was decommissioned in 1956 and parked in the Mojave Desert where it served as a ballistic target on a China Lake Naval Air Warfare Center Weapons range. Tony Mazzolini, who served as a flight engineer on a B-29 during the Korean War, acquired the airplane in 1987, and restoration began. Doc was relocated to its Wichita birthplace in 2000, where over the past 15 years hundreds of volunteers have contributed some 300,000 hours to restore it. Volunteers included retirees from Boeing and Spirit AeroSystems, veterans, active duty military, and others wanting to honor those who have served. Other countless individuals and organizations have made financial and in-kind contributions to keep the project going. EAA Chairman of the Board Jack J. Pelton serves on the Doc’s Friends board of directors. 
March 24, 2015 - EAA congratulates all the volunteers and supporters of the restored B-29 Superfortress Doc, which was rolled out Monday, March 23, at a special event at Wichita’s McConnell Air Force Base – exactly 70 years to the day after its original delivery to the United States Army Air Forces during World War II. The airplane slowly emerged from a former Boeing hangar as the Air Force Song (Wild Blue Yonder) played and assembled volunteers, backers, and supporters cheered.
Post Comment Private Reply Ignore Thread
Top • Page Up • Full Thread • Page Down • Bottom/Latest
#1. To: X-15 (#0)
Ahh, WW2 the Great War the Holy War. Sacred Relics -- bow down before the killing machine!
Thanks... One of the first no nos given us was dont wear rings. Being both young and stupid, I ignored such. There is a ladder for access up thru the nose wheel well. One day climbing down with arm full of flight equipment, I slipped and fell to concrete, my ring caught on the ladder nearly tearing my finger off. I still have the ring and there is a tear in the metal, to prove my stupidity.
My favorite WWII sacred relic is the P-38 Lightning.
Wow, interesting. Good point of note. As to WWII aircraft I love 'em, my favorite is the F4U Corsair. Anyone know why the wings are shaped like that? As to bombers the B-17 is a classic.
Yes, to give more ground clearance to the oversize propeller versus a conventional straight wing: You can see that if the wing went straight out from the root the propeller would be in the dirt.
#2. To: X-15 (#0)
#3. To: NeoconsNailed (#1)
#4. To: Cynicom (#2)
#5. To: Katniss (#4)
Anyone know why the wings are shaped like that?
-Alex Kurtagic
#6. To: X-15 (#5)
Yup, power. That and the P-51 (ETO) are my faves.
#7. To: Obnoxicated (#3)
Mine is the gas chamber at Treblinka.
#8. To: NeoconsNailed (#7)
Oh yeah. Nothing strikes fear into the heart of men better than a good myth.
#9. To: Obnoxicated (#8)
You seem to have caught my irony -- hope others do. "Then there isn't any MacGuffin" -- Hitchcock. Oh yeah. Nothing strikes fear into the heart of men better than a good myth.
#10. To: NeoconsNailed, Obnoxicated (#9)
-Alex Kurtagic
#11. To: X-15 (#10) (Edited)
HAAAAAAA, that's a laff riot!!! What's the difference between a Jew and a pizza? A pizza doesn't scream when you put it in the oven. What did the train say on the way to Auschwitz? JEW JEW! What's the difference between Santa Claus and a Jew? Santa goes down the chimney.
#12. To: Cynicom (#2)
Progress report: "Doc’s Friends successfully started and tested all four of the B-29’s engines during a test on September 18 in Wichita, Kan. Doc Restoration Program Manager Jim Murphy called the test a success and said that the plane’s systems performed as expected. Murphy said after inspection and fine-tuning, the aircraft will be ready for FAA inspection and further pre- first flight testing." Engines start at 8:50, debriefing at 36:00
-Alex Kurtagic
#13. To: X-15 (#12)
Thanks X.... Oddly enough, this coming monday, it will be 65 years ago that I started my journey with the B-29s. Long time ago. Lot of good times, many bad memories of friends lost during the Korean years. Makes an olde man cry.
#14. To: Cynicom (#13)
Nice segment from CBS (!!!):
-Alex Kurtagic
#15. To: All (#14)
Awesome footage from a couple of weeks ago:
-Alex Kurtagic
Top • Page Up • Full Thread • Page Down • Bottom/Latest