B-29 44-69972 Doc Update

deskpro590 · **Posted:** Wed Feb 23, 2011 6:38 pm

Wonder if they monitor the WIX board? Easy for me to say since I'm not a member of the Collings Foundation (have flown on Nine O' Nine B-17 and receive the newsletter... if that counts) nor do I have the money or a/c skills, but I think that the B-29 "Doc" would be a perfect match for Collings. :idea:

Old SAR pilot · **Posted:** Wed Feb 23, 2011 6:48 pm

Just as a note on Doc - It's my understanding that they're going to put the original type engines on it. And run into the same problems the CAF did with FiFi. Or are they willing to go the same re-engine route? And if they do, who's going to come up with the major $$$ for those engines?

..and if Kermit Weeks got his airworthy again, we'd be <albeit slowly> on our way to a full flight of them!

deskpro590 · **Posted:** Wed Feb 23, 2011 6:58 pm

Just sent them an email to put the bug in their ear. :wink:

info@collingsfoundation.org

Iclo · **Posted:** Wed Feb 23, 2011 7:35 pm

Old SAR pilot wrote:

Just as a note on Doc - It's my understanding that they're going to put the original type engines on it. And run into the same problems the CAF did with FiFi. Or are they willing to go the same re-engine route? And if they do, who's going to come up with the major $$$ for those engines?

If I remember, the late Gary (Retroaviation on this board) related that he had contact with the owner of Doc to speak about a deal to built the new type of engine for the two planes (and cutting the cost per engine). He received a polite negative answer: the plan is to rebuilt "Doc" with its original engines, following an agrement with Boeing hosting the plane during the beginning of the restoration. Now, that Boeing doesn't provide hangaring anymore, I wonder what is it projets.

walkerarmyairfield · **Joined:** Wed Feb 13, 2008 12:10 pm **Posts:** 58

The sooner the Collings group or someone with very deep pockets aquires DOC the better. DOC rests in a Kansas National Guard Hangar on McConnell Airforce Base beside the Wichita Aviation Museum. Outhouse conversation has it that DOC is the property of a family in the Eastern United States that has been envolved with warbirds for some years.
DOC sat outside for a couple of years in the severe Kansas weather after Boeing needed their Hangar for another project.

Sorry to say Wichita will never get DOC flying, they struggle with the museum let alone trying to operate a B-29, hope he finds a good home soon before the Kansas Air National Guard needs the hangar space and outside he goes again. Our severe Kansas hail season starts in a couple months.

Phillip

B-29 Super Fort · **Joined:** Wed Sep 01, 2004 11:12 am **Posts:** 871

Maybe Paul Allen could step in. It would be a nice addition to The Flying Heritage Collection.

whistlingdeath77 · **Posted:** Wed Feb 23, 2011 8:51 pm

i'd love to see a b-29 in the air for collings foundation. imagine having a chance to ride in a b-29 too

Don Martin · **Posted:** Wed Feb 23, 2011 9:15 pm

Just a note, as I understand, Tony is not the only owner of Doc. Military Aircraft Restoration Corporation is also a large holder.

cco23i · **Posted:** Wed Feb 23, 2011 9:48 pm

MMMMM, I can almost see a NEW bomber camp with it also!

Scott

deskpro590 · **Posted:** Wed Feb 23, 2011 11:20 pm

Sounds like a job for the Warbird Rescue guys.

Alan Brooks · **Posted:** Thu Feb 24, 2011 7:09 am

[quote="imagine having a chance to ride in a b-29 too[/quote]
You can! "FIFI" will be at Reading and up at Farmingdale...... see our new website... http://www.RideB29.com
For those who will be at MAAM's WWII Weekend..... Booking for a ride on "FIFI" will be through the MAAM..... Brenda and the gang will have all of the info for you......

Ok.... I will chime in just a bit......my apologies to all......

1) To my understanding what Don said is correct... Tony is not the sole owner of "Doc".....
2) Based on what our costs have been with "FIFI"..... Estimate about 2 to 2.5 million to get "Doc" airworthy.....
3) Operating parameters....take on a whole new ballgame...... no... I am not talking about operation or flying of the B-29 itself.
What changes is WHERE you can go..... you can write off probably 80-90% of the civil airports for use with a B-29.... as the runways are not long or wide enough. Plus add in weight restrictions and taxiway requirements......

alan

cco23i · **Posted:** Thu Feb 24, 2011 10:44 am

That's understandable due to the size and weight of the airframe. It definitly would cause some "tweaking" of the flying schedule for the Collings.

Scott

deskpro590 · **Posted:** Thu Feb 24, 2011 1:09 pm

I can't speak for the Collings Foundation, but I have heard that they have been in communication with the owners of Doc over the years and have sent people out to look at the B-29 to assess what it would take to get it back in the air at its current location. Unfortunately, it would be a LOT. They would have to factor the initial purchase cost and the cost of making Doc airworthy into the operating cost. I'd imagine that they would have to charge far more than the CAF does for rides in their bird to even balance out. It's going to take donations (similar to what Cavanaugh did for 'Fifi') to get them to where they can make this happen.

I suppose a fundraising effort would be in order. (Interwebs/Air Shows/Museums)

Jesse C. · **Posted:** Thu Feb 24, 2011 1:21 pm

deskpro590 wrote:

Just sent them an email to put the bug in their ear. :wink:

info@collingsfoundation.org

FYI, Collings Crew does frequent this board.

Pat Carry · **Posted:** Thu Feb 24, 2011 1:35 pm

Sasnak wrote:

Django wrote:

I would love to see Doc in the air in formation with FIFI someday. Can you imagine?

I second that!

If only Kermit was more of a "bomber" guy. He could work to get FERTILE MYRTLE in that formation as well.

Don't get me wrong, Kermit is great, but I think he prefers the fighters over the bombers!

I would love to know what Kermit has in mind for F.M and for his B-17 in storage.

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B-29 44-69972 Doc Update

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