Warbird Information Exchange

44-61671 B-29A-40-BN THE GREAT ARTISTE Whiteman AFB, Missouri. Name not original to the aircraft. This aircraft was the original SB-29 Air/Sea Rescue aircraft. Recovered from Aberdeen Proving Grounds and put on display at Pease AFB, New Hampshire until that base closed. Outdoor display. In 2005 the aircraft received a full paint job.

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"Everyone wants to live here (New Jersey), evidenced by the fact that it has the highest population per capita in the U.S..."

B-29 PROJECT FOR SALE:

http://www.aerotrader.net/b29.html

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"Everyone wants to live here (New Jersey), evidenced by the fact that it has the highest population per capita in the U.S..."

Many thanks for the info on the Pease B-29,, glad to know it didnt end up as a soda can. Any idea on whether it could be returned to a flightworthy status? I also recall one other bomber on display at Pease,, a B-47 maybe? I apologize for getting off track on this thread, but the B-29 at Pease got me thinking of the other aircraft there.

The NMUSAF probably lays claim to the Pease AFB plane meaning it will never fly again. Other than FIFI I'm pretty sure there's only 3 B-29's that could possibly ever fly again Kermit's project plane at Borrego Springs, Fertile Myrtle, and Doc.

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There are only two types of aircraft -- fighters and targets

Not sure what became of the other static display birds at Pease AFB...probably scattered to other bases.

With enough money, almost...almost any B-29 be made flyable however the planes on display at AF bases fall under the NMUSAF ownership and they will not allow those aircraft to be flown again...

A few shots of the Pease B-29 (when it was at Pease) that I took in the late 80's...















And as she looks now at Whiteman AFB, MO...

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"Everyone wants to live here (New Jersey), evidenced by the fact that it has the highest population per capita in the U.S..."

Wow. Didn't realize there were more (airworthy-ish) B-29's out there. Fifi and Doc I know of. Did not know of Fertyle Myrtle and the one for sale (fix'er upper). Might be time for me to buy a lotto ticket tonight.

Curious as to how many TU-2's are still around..... Heard the Russkies copied every detail of the captured B-29 (even a field modification/patch)

* Tupolev TU-4 2805103 B-29 copy. Outdoor display at the Monino Air Museum, Moscow, Russia. Marked as 01 red.

* Tupolev TU-4 28606501 is an AEW version, coded 4114. Tupolev TU-4 B-29 copy. AWACS version with turboprop engines. Outdoor display at the China Air Museum, Beijing, China. This aircraft was viewed by a reunion of AVG pilots touring China in 1995.

* Tupolev TU-4 225008 is a drone launcher version, coded 4134. Outdoor display at the China Air Museum, Bejing, China.

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"Everyone wants to live here (New Jersey), evidenced by the fact that it has the highest population per capita in the U.S..."

man, if i had the money i'd go and buy that b-29 right now

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" I am a nobody in aviation, but somebody to my family."

Some great B-29 Pictures on this link...mostly the museum birds. Page 23 has some of the rarely seen Museum of flight B-29...

http://fiveprime.org/hivemind/Tags/b29,superfortress

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"Everyone wants to live here (New Jersey), evidenced by the fact that it has the highest population per capita in the U.S..."

thanks for the link. The b-29 which is located in windsor locks, ct is in there. I used to play on it as a kid back in the 80's. It used to sit outside along with a b-17,( which was cut in half due to a the tornado that hit in 1979.) The b-17 is now " Liberty Belle." The b-29 was damaged badly as well from the storm and sat as is maybe up until the late 90's or early 2000's. I could be wrong with those dates. However, she's restored now and inside. They did such an amazing job on it anyone who sees it would be proud.

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" I am a nobody in aviation, but somebody to my family."

What's sad is the Original 'Great Artiste" was scrapped in Labrador, even though it was an historically significant aircraft.

Somewhat related....and off topic, there are NO surviving examples of the B-32.

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" I am a nobody in aviation, but somebody to my family."

I feel you have to keeps things in proper perspective during "THAT" time frame. Yes, higher ups decided to keep some examples of the a/c flown during the war, and that was done. Our country was ending a terrible ( to say the least) time of history. We were virtually broke: the last bond drives hardly brought in the funds needed. People were tired of war and wanted to go back to a civilian life. Materials were needed to cover the expanding growth of our nation. The Atomic bomb and the coming jet age meant that the mass volumn of a/c used in WW2 wouldn't be required any more. End result, many historical artifacts were sent to the scrappers. Did we save enough?? that will be debated till the end of time. We're very fortunate that there are photo archives that will cover most of what didn't survive. I'm just glad that the people who served are receiving and accepting the accolades that they quietly turned down all these years.

Bill

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Natural law. Sons are put on this earth to trouble their fathers.

The Great Artiste looks to be in very good shape.

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Ain't no sunshine when she's gone!