PRESS RELEASE – Doc’s Friends, the group managing the restoration of the B-29 known as Doc, announced today the historic B-29 will make its return to flight Sunday, July 17. The restored Boeing B-29 Superfortress will take off from the non-joint-use runway at McConnell Air Force Base, adjacent to where the restoration team has spent the last 16 years restoring the warbird. “Hundreds of volunteers have spent thousands of hours working to restore this national treasure,” said Jim Murphy, Doc’s Friends Restoration Program Manager. “After 16 years of hard work, sweat, tears and tireless attention to detail, we are ready fly.”
Doc’s flight crew expects first flight to be an early morning event on July 17 due to anticipated hot weather. First flight is also dependent upon weather conditions in Wichita and plans could change with little or no advanced notice. Due to security restrictions at the active air force base, as well as security access at Doc’s home at Air Capital Flight Line, runway and ramp access will be limited. The public, however, will have multiple locations from which they can view Doc’s first flight and landing. Specific details of those public watch areas and first flight timelines will be released soon.
The public is encouraged to subscribe online at www.b-29doc.com/signup/ to receive information regarding the public viewing locations as soon as the information is released. The information will be provided to the media for public disclosure via news releases.
About Doc’s Friends
Doc’s Friends is a 501c3 non-profit board managing the restoration of the Boeing B-29 Superfortress known as Doc. The group was formed in 2013 and is led by retired Spirit AeroSystems CEO Jeff Turner along with other Wichita business leaders; Charlie Chandler, Jack Pelton, Steve Clark, Lynn Nichols, Brad Gorsuch, Ron Ryan, Tim Buchanan, Jeff Peier, Esq., and Tom Bertels. Doc’s Friends is committed to returning this World War II warbird to the air to honor previous generations, educate current and future generations and connect the world to the rich heritage of aviation.
I think what your group has accomplished is amazing and I applaud your dedication.
Hello Folks
This is a short and sweet note, Thank You for all your work and let’s keep them flying.
Any word if there will be live video via internet of the initial flight of B-29 DOC on 7/17??
Can’t believe it’s been 16 years for Doc. I remember watching her being trucked from NAWS China Lake, CA to Inyokern, CA to be set up as a static display for a non profit museum that never got their paperwork together. Imagine seeing this fly!!! I walked through this plane when it was scrap. I have pictures somewhere of Doc looking helpless, thinking it would never fly again. Wow!!!! She looks great!
Any chance of “Doc” making it to the EAA in a couple of weeks???
Congratulations, now Fifi won’t be the only B29 in the air. Maybe they can get together and start a whole flock of B29’s.
After the kee bird disaster, been looking forward to this for a very long time.