Warbird Information Exchange

I wonder if Rod Lewis might make a play to get Doc at some point?

This thread has about as much information as the ESPN Trade Deadline specials.

"And now, let's turn it over to our Potential B-29 Acquisition expert for a look on where 'Doc' could end up, even thought it isn't known to be for sale!"

I think the Collings Foundation should go after Albert Pujols instead.

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Matt

No way! Jim Hendry of the Cubs will waste $300 million going after him!

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Ain't no sunshine when she's gone!

Stranger things have happened. For years and years we talked about the status of the Swoose when it belonged to the NASM. Then one day came the news that it was being transferred to the NMUSAF. Who would have ever forseen that.

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Ain't no sunshine when she's gone!

One could dream..

Only 300? Its Hendry man! The man is an auctioneer's dream.

Besides, Collings could field a lot of planes for that yearly salary.

if the collings foundation is reading this.....get a b-29!

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

Given the cost to rebuild it to airworthy, that's why a deep-pocketed backer like Paul Allen makes sense to me. Plus it returns Doc to it Washington State roots where the B-29's were produced.

Jim Hendry sees your $300 million and raises you a box of Krispy Kremes. Seriously though, I would love to see Collings get the B-29, it just seems kinda pointless to speculate since it isn't known to be available at this point. I just want to see it in the air with owners that can maintain it at a high level and hopefully display it at as many airshows as possible. If the current ownership group can accomplish that, great.

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Matt

I wasn't going to get into this deal, but remember that 44-69972 was built a few hundred yards from where she is sitting right now. One of the attractions to the whole deal in the beginning was to restore a Wichita-built B-29 in Wichita, and I commend everyone involved for getting the airplane as far as they have.

Thanks, Scott. The civilized responses on this post are few and far between, IMO for the people that have given so much to this project. I was biting my tongue on that one, too.

For the record, production totals of B-29's
Boeing Wichita: 1644
Boeing Renton (B-29A): 1122
Bell Atlanta: 668 (includes both B-29 and B-29B)
Martin Omaha: 536

I feel sad for the people of Midland, TX who lost the display of the CAF B-29, just as I do our citizens of Wichita if Doc is lost. The people of Midland have given so much to the maintenance of Fifi over the years.

Doc's host, Sp and Bo, have given quite a bit, too. Hangar space and energy for nearly a decade, materials such as paint, sealer, fasteners, tooling fixtures, and even aluminum. All of that adds up in a big way on such a big airplane. Especially one that needed such extensive work.

Wichita's restoration crew have given up a few hundred thousand hours of very hard volunteer work in grueling Kansas weather for just the chance not only to see it fly, but to hopefully see it displayed here, too. We were never misled, though, about who owned the airplane.

Since when should local governments be responsible for contributing to someone else's privately owned airplane, and especially one that is not even owned by the KAM or commited to staying here? What kind of a fantasy land do people live in? Doc volunteers have been selling merchandise at both local and national events for the last decade to help raise money for the project. Local suppliers have given so much, too. We have given so much, and we just get badmouthed.

When this project was started, there was no money for new engines, propellors, and fuel cells. The rest of the airframe has been rebuilt completely. Who do you think did all of that?

And for all of the people that have never lifted a finger to volunteer for Doc and think they should decide where it goes or who should buy it:

Edward Sheetmetalhands
Doc Volunteer

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Searching for B-29A-55-BN 44-61966 photo and history!

My apologies to those who have been laboring over DOC to get her airworthy again. I should've prefaced my comments with," if Doc were put up for sale or became available, she would be a perfect fit for Collings or someone else with deep pockets". I hope things are worked out between the owners and the volunteers and ya'll can get a roof over her head and get her back in the air. I'm just a fan of warbirds who sometimes speaks before he thinks.

Ok, though he does have a roof over his head right now. It just is not accessible. And he only spent one year outside, not two. Everything was completey closed up to the weather during that time.

Something for everyone to think about: If you were in Bo____'s shoes and had the opportunity to peform revenue work in that hangar during that time (and literally avoid laying people off), what would you do?

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Searching for B-29A-55-BN 44-61966 photo and history!

I'm all for the B-29 to go anywhere the plane would be taken care of in the best manner. Whatever group honors the men and women who flew and built it is fine by me.

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

If "Doc" is not for sale are there other options out there for someone looking to own a B29? if i recall there was a B29 at Pease Air Force Base in Portsmouth NH, have no idea where it went after Pease was closed. Anyone?