Iconic Pairing of World War II Aircraft to Land in Columbia Tour Stop

The B-29 Doc’s History Restored Tour will be in Columbia, Missouri, for a brief four-day stop and will be available for flight experience rides Tuesday and Wednesday, July 16 and 17. 

In a symbolic representation of their World War II history, Doc will be joined by the P-51D Gunfighter, one of the aircraft that provided long-range escort and top-cover for the bombers in the Pacific Theater. The additional protection and firepower was significant in helping Allied air power defeat Japan.

Gunfighter was built in North American Aviation’s Inglewood, California plant, and both it and Doc were delivered to the U.S. Army Air Force (USAAF) in March 1945. Doc was built by the Boeing Company plant in Wichita, Kansas.

Following the war, Gunfighter was assigned to Olmsted Field in Pennsylvania, where present-day Harrisburg International Airport (KMDT) is now located. In another coincidence, both aircraft were retired from military service in 1956. Doc was reassigned to non-combat roles back in the U.S. assisting with radar calibration, target towing, and eventually as a bombing target at China Lake in California. Tony Mazzolini discovered Doc in the Mojave Desert in 1987 and began the long process of recovering and restoring the airplane now making the air show rounds for flight experiences for younger generations.

FMI: www.b29doc.com