Mon, Jan 27, 2014
Volunteers Have Completed Almost 100% Of The Structural Repairs -- Flight Test Upcoming
Its been a long time coming... but volunteers report that they have made significant progress restoring the Boeing B-29 Superfortress named Doc since work resumed on the project in 2013.
Newly restored engines are being installed on the aircraft in preparation of the next major milestone known as "power on." Volunteers are targeting a first flight for later this year.
"The volunteers performing this work on a daily basis are amazing," said Jeff Turner, chairman of the board of Doc's Friends, a non-profit organization dedicated to restoring the historic aircraft. "We have made significant progress recently hanging the first engine on the airplane."
The Boeing B-29 known as Doc has been in Wichita undergoing restoration since 2000 after it was rescued from the California desert by Tony Mazzolini. Restoration of the historic airplane accelerated earlier this year with additional funding and the donation of a hangar to finish restoration. In February of 2013, 'Doc's Friends' was formed to help preserve the history of this legendary warbird and create a flying museum dedicated to the men and women who built, flew and serviced the B-29.
Now as the restoration continues, Doc's Friends is looking for skilled volunteers to help make the dream of seeing Doc fly again become a reality.
"In order to take the restoration to the next level, we are looking for experienced aircraft electricians, engine and flight control mechanics, sheet metal mechanics and inspectors," said TJ Norman, Doc's Friends project manager. "With the amazing expertise that exists in Wichita, we really want to tap into that talent to get Doc off the ground."
Volunteers are currently working on installing the engines, fuel cells and will soon begin electrical continuity checks leading up to the "power on" milestone.
Doc's Friends is a 501c3 non-profit board managing the restoration of the Boeing B-29 Superfortress known as Doc. The group was formed in 2013 and is led by retired Spirit AeroSystems CEO Jeff Turner along with other Wichita business leaders; Charlie Chandler, Jack Pelton, Steve Clark, Lynn Nichols, Brad Gorsuch, Vic McMullen, Ron Ryan, Tim Buchanan, Jeff Peier, Esq. and Tom Bertels. Doc's Friends is committed to returning this World War II warbird to the air to honor previous generations, educate current and future generations and connect the world to the rich heritage of aviation.
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