Warbird Information Exchange

The engine run-up trailer looks perfect Gary
Good luck with the engines.

Yeah, the trailer turned out beautifully!

Thanks guys, but trust me, I doubt that it'll win the Grand Champion Award for Best Test Cell. We just hit the "high spots" so it's a thirty-footer for sure, but a little more presentable anyway.

GA

I owe a debt of gratitude to the CAF for keeping this bird airworthy for about the last thirty years. They do an incredible job to say the least.
I know you guys don't believe it, but I'm still convinced, with enough political clout and legal expertise, you could get the U.S. govt. to give a "quitclaim deed" on anything thing they have title to or claims against. They do it all the time.
As for the Airworthiness of the B-29, the $3 mill. makes sense to really go through it and make it the best it can be for a long time. Would it still have a problematic version of the R-3350? You can't make revenue/ airshow flights if you are down for maintenance.
You guys are going to line me up in front of the WIX firing squad, for thinking outside of the box on this one. I was looking at the liquidation proceedings for Hawkins and Powers, surely the end of an era. Hawkins has 15 P2v-7 neptunes, 6 KC-97's, 6 C-119's, and 6 C-130A's and many civilian aircarft. Many of the big aircraft will be scrapped, IMO. There's no market for them, even for static display. WHat if the CAF, bought all these spares, QEC's, etc. ? After doing the engine conversions they could have about a 100 firewall forward QEC's pickled to last the next 20 years or more. Maybe buy out some foreign govt's spares that still operate the P-2v's or whatever.
There are plenty of B-29's on static display if you want to go look at original props, engine and cowlings. I'm just a dumb old ex-gyrene, but it seems the CAF currently has two incompatible, mutually exclusive goals for their beloved B-29. 1) Keep it flying profitably via the airshow circuit
2) Keep it totally authentic, like those kept safely inside the AFM and Smithsonian. WHat to do?

Marine Air,
Thanks for your input on our situation. We sincerely appreciate everyone's opinion, good or bad. That being said, let me explain a couple of things...
First, Hawkins & Powers inventory...We've looked extensively into buying up their spares. As a matter of fact, we are indeed trying to obtain a few of their engine cores, as we would certainly be able to use many of their parts for our new engines. However, we will simply will not be able to afford H&P's entire stock.
Second, to address our "two incompatible, mutally exclusive goals for our beloved B-29." I'm not sure if you've seen my previous explanation of what we have planned for the engine conversion, but it will basically consist of the 'latest and greatest' parts that Wright built for the R-3350. Will we still have some difficulties with these big, round engines? You betcha! But will they be safer and more reliable? Without question.
As far as the originality is concerned...I intend to have this conversion to appear original. Only those of us "in the know" will be in on our little secret with the new engines. The general public will find it to look like a B-29 "is supposed to." If you've ever seen any of the other airplanes I've either built or been part of building, the typical motto has been, "safety & reliability first. If you make something that isn't original, trick people into thinking it is." That's my same goal here. I want to produce a safe and reliable B-29 that's easy on the eyes as well.
I hope all of this helps explain our position on this some more. Again, thank you for your input.

Gary Austin

Phew! I thought you wanted to put those C-130 turboprop engines on the B-29!!!