B-29 42-24791 "Big Time Operator" - New Home and inside!

[Quest Master]

I am a huge advocate of preservation vice restoration. This specific B-29 cockpit sustained a bit of damage during actual use and as a ground target at China Lake. When it was put on display at Beale AFB, the entire port side skin (roughly 2' wide) was removed and a new section of skin replaced (with POP RIVETS!), then the entire fuselage was covered in automotive bondo to make it smooth. My intention is to remove all of the bondo and assess the exact damage to the skin. Based on what it looks like from the inside, most of the original skin is in decent condition. If it is scratched, dented or lightly oxidized...I will not replace it - it is original to the aircraft and thus it's original service history. The area that has been pop riveted in place will be removed and replaced correctly at a future date.

Thanks for the praise on this thread. I will keep you guys and gals updated as parts flow into this project.

[APG85]

I am a huge advocate of preservation vice restoration. This specific B-29 cockpit sustained a bit of damage during actual use and as a ground target at China Lake. When it was put on display at Beale AFB, the entire port side skin (roughly 2' wide) was removed and a new section of skin replaced (with POP RIVETS!), then the entire fuselage was covered in automotive bondo to make it smooth. My intention is to remove all of the bondo and assess the exact damage to the skin. Based on what it looks like from the inside, most of the original skin is in decent condition. If it is scratched, dented or lightly oxidized...I will not replace it - it is original to the aircraft and thus it's original service history. The area that has been pop riveted in place will be removed and replaced correctly at a future date.

Thanks for the praise on this thread. I will keep you guys and gals updated as parts flow into this project.

Sounds like a solid plan. Good luck!

[Quest Master]

As a side note...also in the QuestMasters collection are two "unidentified" B-29/TB-29 tail sections that also came from China Lake many years ago. It is also the intention not to re-skin either of them and leave them as original as possible. Both of the tail sections are currently published on the QuestMasters website.

[Versatile]

I thought you guys and gals would like to see updated pictures of B-29-50-BW-42-24791 "The Big Time Operator". She is now in the QuestMasters collection and is finally stored inside after 70 years.

and


I have not updated the http://www.questmasters.us website with pictures of her yet (just got her inside today). But here are the details. She was built by Boeing, Wichita Kansas as B-29 42-24791 Block 50 production, Craft Number 4452 and accepted on 17 October 1944. She served with the 9th Bomb Group, 1st Bomb Squadron on Guam completing 46 Missions over Japan with 2 Japanese aircraft shot down. She carried the nose art "The Big Time Operator" with Circle-X on the tail and 4 on the fuselage. She was stricken on 12 June 1950 and served as a ground target at NAS China Lake. Many years later her forward fuselage (show above) was covered in automotive bondo and painted for display at the Edward F. Beale Museum, California. When the Beale museum closed, the cockpit was transferred and used by the New England Air Museum for parts for the exceptional restoration of "Jacks Hack". It is now stored inside in the QuestMasters collection. The nose "green house" is from Omaha, NE and did not come from BTO. It will be used in the restoration of this nose section.

I am looking for any B-29 nose parts for the eventual restoration of this historic cockpit. Seats, glass, instrument panels, turret domes....anything and everything etc. Let me know if you have any or know of any leads.

If you have any additional pictures, history or details of "The Big Time Operator" please let me know! Correct history is always important!

Enjoy! - Van

Duane Shank from Greensburg Ks had a lot of parts. Find who purchased his parts after the tornado.

[Django]

Bravo Van!! Bravo!!

[Quest Master]

Django....you know me, always on the quest!
Need some nose art done....do you know anyone?

[Quest Master]

Original nose art of "Big Time Operator":

[Django]

Cool, I haven't seen that color photo of Big Time Operator before!

[whistlingdeath77]

That is awesome news Van!! Boy you move fast!
Sounds like it's got a good home!
I hated seeing it out in the rain and weather.
Keep us posted on it's restoration.
Jerry

Jerry, did they scrap basically everything that was in the back lot? There was tons of stuff with possible potential.

[Jerry O'Neill]

Some things were scrapped, others traded or given away. (S-60) i don't know all the specifics.
The two F-102's were scrapped as they had the same damage on both and the skin was melting away in the rain. Some stuff was moved. they were trying to clean the back yard up. Can't save everything.
I'm glad BTO has a new BTH ("Big Time Home"!)
Jerry

[hang the expense]

I am a huge advocate of preservation vice restoration. This specific B-29 cockpit sustained a bit of damage during actual use and as a ground target at China Lake. When it was put on display at Beale AFB, the entire port side skin (roughly 2' wide) was removed and a new section of skin replaced (with POP RIVETS!), then the entire fuselage was covered in automotive bondo to make it smooth. My intention is to remove all of the bondo and assess the exact damage to the skin. Based on what it looks like from the inside, most of the original skin is in decent condition. If it is scratched, dented or lightly oxidized...I will not replace it - it is original to the aircraft and thus it's original service history. The area that has been pop riveted in place will be removed and replaced correctly at a future date.

Thanks for the praise on this thread. I will keep you guys and gals updated as parts flow into this project.

GOOD MAN!

[Quest Master]

Jerry,
"BTH"...that's funny!
I finally got a page put up on the QuestMasters website:
http://www.questmasters.us/B-29_BTO.html

I have also been in contact with one of the pilot's that flew "BTO" during the war, as well as one of the radio operators. Both are still quite sharp! Both have sent me tons of details and copies of paperwork from their time with the 1st Bomb Squadron to include mission details and citations.

Stay tuned!

[muddyboots]

It's great to see one with mission time being preserved! Any chance of using the ones still at China Lake for bits and pieces on BTO?

[Jerry O'Neill]

I like the pics Van!

[Noha307]

I am a huge advocate of preservation vice restoration. This specific B-29 cockpit sustained a bit of damage during actual use and as a ground target at China Lake. When it was put on display at Beale AFB, the entire port side skin (roughly 2' wide) was removed and a new section of skin replaced (with POP RIVETS!), then the entire fuselage was covered in automotive bondo to make it smooth. My intention is to remove all of the bondo and assess the exact damage to the skin. Based on what it looks like from the inside, most of the original skin is in decent condition. If it is scratched, dented or lightly oxidized...I will not replace it - it is original to the aircraft and thus it's original service history. The area that has been pop riveted in place will be removed and replaced correctly at a future date.

Thanks for the praise on this thread. I will keep you guys and gals updated as parts flow into this project.

Sounds like a solid plan. Good luck!

Second. Always good to hear a focus on retaining what remains.

Also, as much as I prefer preservation over restoration, don't think it's a good idea to describe the latter as a "vice".