Bare Metal

[AFWhite]

Was just checking out the "Doc" B-29 thread and admiring the bare aluminum, looks fantastic.

The thought occurred to me, why is the CAF B-29 painted? I realized that since she isn't carrying bombs the weight isn't a factor. I just think it would look much better in natural aluminum. Is it to reduce corrosion control maintenance?

[DoraNineFan]

Was just checking out the "Doc" B-29 thread and admiring the bare aluminum, looks fantastic.

The thought occurred to me, why is the CAF B-29 painted? I realized that since she isn't carrying bombs the weight isn't a factor. I just think it would look much better in natural aluminum. Is it to reduce corrosion control maintenance?

I asked this question several years back. The answer was that it would be very expensive to repair the dimples and/or re-skin the CAF B-29 for a shiny finish. That isn't to say it will never happen, but you have to consider the budget for operating a 4-engine type.

Although, it would be nice to see a shiny Doc and shiny FIFI side-by-side and flying in formation some day.

[wendovertom]

I can only imagine the amount of effort that would go into keeping a B-29 in a polished metal state. Certainly a fairly big group of knowledgeable guys with aircraft buffers and a lot of polish and cleaner!

Tom P.

[Taylor Stevenson]

While I do not speak for the CAF B29/B24 Sqn. I'd think it would have to do with ease of maintenance. Furthermore, not all metal can be stripped and polished. Some is just too far gone. I'd guess when they pulled her out of China Lake, the idea was to get her in the air ASAP. Repairing/replacing the weathered skin would be more expensive and exponentially more time-consuming. Moreover, I wouldn't want to take care of a polished T-6, let alone a polished B-29... Doc will definitely look better than FIFI, but is the extra effort and expense to provide FIFI with that exterior finish worth it? Nah. At the end of the day, we will have two beautiful B-29s and a C-97 in the air very soon. I can't wait to see that formation!

[ZRX61]

Is it to reduce corrosion control maintenance?

& hide the bondo

[Obergrafeter]

As one who maintains the polish on a C-47 I would have to say you would be crazy to try to keep a B-29 polished! I guess we all are. Just hope you have a herd of polish volunteers, and lots' of shares of Nuvite Stock!