Thanks everyone! We are excited and looking forward to restoring the interior of the plane to look a little more "WWII proper". Painting the outside will come later as we are wanting to get her into the B-29 hangar and out of the weather. However, I am working on getting the nose art taken care of!
I am hoping to get out the museum soon and get some interior shots and will post them here. I am waiting to talk to a guy who can help us determine the best way to remove the retardant tank as well. SOMEONE is going to have to crawl under that floor and unbolt the beast!
As for a B-29 - well that is the dream! One day perhaps. i have not given much thought to the China Lake airframes - seems like such a mountain of paperwork and Hui to get through for, although they are B-29s, "pieces parts". to be honest I am hoping that the AF display program and the board of directors at Hill AFB museum decide that thier B-29 needs to be in a hangar. . . . our hangar - ROFL!!
I have not read Fred's book - probably should one of these days. I have to admit, having been able to interview the 509th CG's XO, Tom Classen, my opinion of Sweeny is probably a bit jaded. Classen had a great deal of combat experience and more flight time over Sweeny but Classen and Tibbetts did not see eye to eye and Sweeny got the mission and dang near blew it. Nothing like armchair QB'ing on Monday morning right? I will stop.
Thanks for the support and if you are out in our neck of the woods be sure to reach out and I will make sure WIXer's get special attention!
Tom P.