Yesterday, B-29 Superfortress “Doc” officially moved into its newly constructed, 32,000 sq.ft. hangar at Eisenhower National Airport in Wichita, Kansas.
Construction of the multimillion-dollar facility began in November 2017, and while the hangar and maintenance portions are complete, an additional $800,000 still needs to be raised to finish work on the education and visitors center. Doc’s Friend’s spokesman Josh Wells states:
“Over the past three years, we’ve raised about $5.7 million toward the $6.5 million project. While we have successfully raised enough money to build the structure, there’s still plenty of work to be done to finish out the interior of the facility. This will ensure generations to come will be able to learn about Greatest Generation and how the B-29 helped protect our freedom, and how it helped solidify Wichita as the Air Capital of the World.”
The aircraft returned to the air in July 2016 following 17 years and hundreds of thousands of hours of restoration. It began touring the following year, making its first airshow appearance at the Defenders of Liberty Air Show in Louisiana. This year saw the bomber begin passenger flights that include a a crew briefing, overview of the machine’s history and a 30 minute ride.
(via Doc’s Friends Photo: Erin McClellan via Wikimedia Commons)
Doc’s Friends, Inc. has reportedly been granted FAA approval to begin passenger flights in the newly restored B-29 Superfortress “Doc”. Each flight experience is expected to last roughly 90 minutes, including a 30 minute ride, and are scheduled to begin at Heavy Bombers Weekend in Madison, WI (July 20-22).
Prior to takeoff, passengers will experience a crew briefing and learn more about the history of the B-29 and the role it played in U.S. history. Passengers will also get to hear and see the sights and sounds of engine starts and run-ups prior to takeoff.
Additional dates will reportedly be added shortly, including ride weekends in Wichita. To book a flight or learn more, click here.
(via Doc’s Friends Photo: Caholguin109 from Wikimedia Commons)
Fonthill Media and bestselling author Justo Miranda have released the new title Fighters of the Dying Sun which is described as “a previously unpublished compilation of forty-two advanced fighters developed in Japan during the Second World War.”
The first B-29 flew over Tokyo on 1 November 1944. It was a photographic reconnaissance aircraft ironically named ‘Tokyo Rose.’ The Ki.44 fighters of the 47th Sentai took off to intercept it but as it turned out the Superfortress flew at such an altitude and speed that they could not reach it. The Ki-44-II-Otsu had been specifically designed for this type of interception and could reach the astonishing rate of climb of 5,000 m in four minutes; however it was not good enough. During the following ten months, a devastating bombing campaign of thousands of Superfortresses destroyed 67 Japanese cities and half of Tokyo. [continue reading…]
Please Note: This post contains an Amazon affiliate link. When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.
