B-29 DOC

[Lynn Allen]

Doug is typed in the B-29, so it would a great fit at Cavanaugh's

Lynn

Incorrect info

Really? How so???

Lynn

[b29driver]

Doug is typed in the B-29, so it would a great fit at Cavanaugh's

Lynn

Incorrect info

Really? How so???

Lynn

Ronnie has experimental rating in B-29, not Doug

[spookythecat]

Mr. Mazolini strikes me as an average guy, like you and I and many others here on WIX. I do not think he has zillions of dollars but he was smart enough to swing a trade to get title to the B-29. Many of us dreamers have done the same thing; grab and hold on to a project that is way above our heads and figure out how to make it work later.

Not many folks can afford to restore a B-29 let alone fly one so he has done the best he can to keep his dream alive. He didn't have enough money to rebuild the Superfortress so he turned to outside help and a financial partner; Tallichet.

At first he tried to work on the B-29 out in the desert next to China Lake but that was not going to work. When Boeing offered a hangar in Wichita he wisely jumped at the chance.

As with all Warbird organizations, especially ones that rely heavily on volunteers, there will be many folks that become disillusioned and disgruntled. This B-29 project is no exception.

I hope that everything works out with Doc as a lot of good folks have busted their rear ends to get her where she is today. What a treat it will be to see two B-29's in the air again.

At one time Paul Allen expressed interest in acquiring a B-29. Mr. Allen is one of those rare individuals who could make that project happen! I hope he rekindles that spark.

I certainly hope Paul can get his hands on Doc. To have someone who could afford to take care of her would be wonderful.

[Taigh Ramey]

I agree wholeheartedly.

[Lynn Allen]

Doug is typed in the B-29, so it would a great fit at Cavanaugh's

Lynn

Incorrect info

Really? How so???

Lynn

Ronnie has experimental rating in B-29, not Doug

Roger That

Lynn

[DoraNineFan]

Guys, take a few minutes to call around to find out what a minimum 150'x150' hangar space on a 6000'+ hard surface runway that will support a 140,000# A/C goes for per month. You need to also get one that has all the required support facilities such as a sheet metal shop/hydraulic shop/etc. as well as electrical lighting, compressed air and all the goodies. Then ask if a large number of volunteers coming and going all day long and using parking spaces and other facilities are welcomed. Chances are that any facilities that qualify are already being rented at a high fee and the large number of people involved are not welcomed.
This is not as easy as it might seem. The magnitude of an operation to support an A/C of this size is absolutely overwhelming. If it weren't, both DOC and FIFI would be out there flying formation.

My point was that I wish some company or individual, or the military, would offer some hangar space to park her in until more money can be raised for the restoration in the future instead of letting her sit outdoors. I thought that money was being raised for a temporary enclosure ($300,000?), but I've not heard any information on how this fund raising is going.

[Second Air Force]

DoraNineFan,

It has been a while since the temporary hangar has been talked about. I think that was proposed before the museum acquired the B-47 from Oklahoma City--I wonder if funds had to be shifted to moving the '47?
As far as the temporary hangar concept goes, those are really quite sturdy structures, we have one where I work that holds a DC-9/MD-80 and it is a pretty stout shelter. Doc certainly deserves cover living in Kansas, that is for certain.

[APG85]

I think in the short term, it needs to be ds-assembled and put into storage out of the elements...

[bdk]

I dont think DOC will ever fly. My 2 cents worth.

Fantastic words of encouragement! My 2 cents worth.

[b29driver]

The main obstacle standing in the way of Both FIFI and DOC flying again is the lack of a usable/reliable/affordable engine. The cost to develope an updated 3350 parts combo is going to be expensive. The CAF is working on funds to do it and it would be great to see another sponsor jump into the engine effort on DOC's behalf. Building ten engines instead of five might spread out some of the set up expenses. I would like to see them both flying at the same time and be in the formation.

[retroaviation]

But if you remember correctly, b29driver, I personally spoke with Tony Mazzolini about them going in with us on the re-engine project we're working on, and he said that he was bound to an agreement with Boeing to build Doc as "completely original as possible." There will be a few odds and ends that won't be original, but he said that he and the Boeing folks had no interest in what we were doing regarding FIFI's engines.

I think it would be a great thing to see both airplanes in the air, but something's got to change in the Doc camp for that to happen. Getting FIFI back in the air is a big enough challenge, but it WILL happen. I hope the Doc crew can work out the situation they're currently in and get back to work on it again someday soon.

Gary

[b29driver]

I haven't talked to Tony in a long time, but what I was really refering to was the possibility that someone mentioned earlier in the thread of a Paul Allen type of individual becoming involved with the DOC project. Sounds like Boeing doesn't have any or much influence any more.
As you and I both know, if DOC were to be engined with the originals it would only be an exercise in futility. It could be done, but why?

[retroaviation]

Yup. What you said.

Gary

[warbird1]

I personally spoke with Tony Mazzolini about them going in with us on the re-engine project we're working on, and he said that he was bound to an agreement with Boeing to build Doc as "completely original as possible."
Gary

With Boeing essentially "dumping" the entire Doc project, does this not null and void the previous agreement/contract?

Gary, have you spoken to Tony since Boeing dumped Doc? Perhaps, this is a new environment and a new talk with him might bring a different result?

Just wishful thinking.

[marine air]

JUst an observation, but when I was there in November it is pretty obvious that the B-29 has NO MONEY and the Kansas Aviation Museum has almost no operating budget.
If Doc has a clear title, then it's only hope is for someone to buy it and restore it while the work that has been done can be used and not have to be redone in some areas. If the title is held by the government or tied up in some legal limbo, then it will languish outside with all the other rare and desolate carcasses at the Kansas Aviation Museum.
Boeing and their volunteers went above and beyond the call of duty on a project that now appears to have been someone's "pipe dream." P.T. Barnum would be proud, IMHO.