B-29 Surviving Airframes

[Chief]

I didn't realize the museum in Windsor Locks had the nose section of a C-124. Does anyone have a photo or tail number information?

[Jerry O'Neill]

Slight correction on the posts here.
I wasn't reading the earlier post close enough.
NEAM does not have a C-124 nose section. They have a C-133 nose section from the tornado damaged wreak. unfortunately, it's been outside since 1979.
Jerry

[eze240]

I know this is OT, but, exactly how much is left of the C-133 at NEAM?
I noticed that someone montioned a wing and center section earlier?
I also noticed that there's one hulk in a scrap yard in tuscon- could be useful to complete their plane....

Back on topic...are R3350's still pretty common? I would think Kee bird would supply at least some hard to find parts....
How about surviving B-50's? are there any at china lake or any other test range still? could be some useful parts there too?.....

[Jerry O'Neill]

I know this is OT, but, exactly how much is left of the C-133 at NEAM?
I noticed that someone montioned a wing and center section earlier?
I also noticed that there's one hulk in a scrap yard in tuscon- could be useful to complete their plane....

Back on topic...are R3350's still pretty common? I would think Kee bird would supply at least some hard to find parts....
How about surviving B-50's? are there any at china lake or any other test range still? could be some useful parts there too?.....

The nose section forward of the Cabin door (about 12-15 feet long) is what's left of the fuselage along with the engines and cowlings, though the props are bent. The rest was scraped.
Jerry

[redjacket1972]

Wow, what a great topic! I am new to WIX and have a few questions about the following surviving airframes:

I compared the list at the beginning of this topic with the ones on warbirdregistry.org and johnweeks.com and found these that were not listed:
42-93880 (?) 1975 stored (not on John Weeks website)
44-61957 (?) 1975 stored (not on John Weeks website)
44-61992 (?) 1975 stored (not on John Weeks website)
44-62055 (?) 1975 stored (not on John Weeks website)
44-62088 (?) 1975 stored (not on John Weeks website)
44-62203 (?) 1985 stored (not on John Weeks website)
44-86402 (?) 1973 museum (not on John Weeks website)

Does anyone know of the final disposition of them?

Also, as talked about before, there are two additional complete airframes listed on warbirdregistry.org that are not listed here (both are in storage):

44-62112 (P)
- Forward fuselage only.
- Rear fuselage at Disney studios.
44-62222 (P) (not listed on johnweeks.com)
- Forward fuselage only.
- Rear fuselage at Disney studios.

Any news on these two airframes also?

Thanks!

[The Inspector]

Welcome aboard REDJACKET,
Here's what J. Baugher shows-
42-93880 -10BN converted to F-13A last known stored @ China Lake 1975 time frame
44-61957 -55BN China Lake 1975
44-62055 -60BN China Lake 1975
44-61992 -55BN China Lake 1975
44-62088 -60BN China Lake 1975
44-62203 -55BN to RAF as Washington 1 WF 509, returned to USAF in 1954
44-86402 -55MO mothership for X-7 program, in the 1970's reported @ Aircraft Industrial Museum in Louisville, KY.
Hope this helps a bit

[agent86]

The POF in Chino has the complete fusalage of a B- 50 in their yard(old age makes me forget her name) It was rumored that they aquired a set of wings from a C-97 ,is this true? the plane was famous for setting some record(getting old sucks)
I didnt read this whole thread so its probably been posted

[APG85]

The POF in Chino has the complete fusalage of a B- 50 in their yard(old age makes me forget her name) It was rumored that they aquired a set of wings from a C-97 ,is this true? the plane was famous for setting some record(getting old sucks)
I didnt read this whole thread so its probably been posted

Lucky Lady II There was some thought/talk of rebuilding her with the C-97 components...big$$

http://www.warbirdregistry.org/b29regis ... 46010.html

[The Inspector]

Yeah! Considering all the magnesium used to build both, and mags inability to 'age' gracefully.

[Edward Sheetmetalhands]

The POF in Chino has the complete fusalage of a B- 50 in their yard(old age makes me forget her name) It was rumored that they aquired a set of wings from a C-97 ,is this true? the plane was famous for setting some record(getting old sucks)
I didnt read this whole thread so its probably been posted

Thread with KC-97 components for the Lucky Lady: http://www.warbirdinformationexchange.o ... p?p=320795

[whistlingdeath77]

[redjacket1972]

I did some research at various sites on the internet and came up with some answers (feel free to tell me I'm right or wrong).

B-29s at NAS China Lake : There are currently only three B-29s there (those you've seen listed at last being there in 1975 are gone).
1. 44-70102 "Here's Hopin'" - possibly being restored for a museum there.
2. 44-69957 - This one was destroyed in 1981, 6 years after the Navy was supposed to put a freeze on any more destruction of airframes. You can see before and after pictures on the China Lake Alumni website. I believe the nose was removed and parts were used on the onging restoration of 'Doc'.
3. 44-62134 - This one is still visible on Google earth. It is the white airframe mentioned on this thread. Know as the Echo Bird.

No more B-29s at Aberdeen Proving Ground, despite some sites listing one or two.

Not sure what happened to 44-86402 that was listed as being at Aircraft Industries Museum in Louisville, KY.

The four Disney birds were :
44-84084 : Fuselage only. In storage for Kermit Weeks at Borrego Springs, CA. Its wings were installed on 44-61535.
44-70049 : Complete B-29 in storage for Kermit Weeks at Borrego Springs, CA. It along with the 44-84084 fuselage are listed on the aerotrader.com website.
44-62112 and 44-62222 were both destroyed.

45-21787 "Fertile Myrtle" is also in storage for Kermit Weeks at Borrego Springs, CA. It is one of two complete examples listed as being restorable (44-70049 being the other).

[Quest Master]

Just to update this thread on surviving B-29's:
B-29-50-BW 42-24791 "Big Time Operator" nose is now in the QuestMasters Museum collection. Pictures will be put on the website in the near future. This is the thread I started on the WIX to show that she is now finally indoors after 70 years:
http://www.warbirdinformationexchange.o ... =3&t=47729

[Slats]

In 1993-1994 I was stationed at Andersen AFB, Guam. A buddy in my shop took me over to the west side of the runway and over the side of the embankment to show me the wrecked B-29 there. There was still several large pieces of the wreakage there along with a lot of .50 caliber MG rounds. Does anybody have any idea which B-29 this is? On a side note, while working as an aircraft restorer at the Pima Air and Space Museum in Tucson, AZ in 1995, I had the honor of assisting General Paul Tibbets and a Smithsonian interviewer gain access and climb into the Sentimental Journey. I was able to sit there with them on the flight deck while the interviewer asked him questions about the B-29 and his mission. It was a very humbling experience and one that so few people after WWII would get a chance to have. Rest In Peace General.

[groundpounder]

I have always found it interesting how B-17 and B-24 WWll combat veterans are literally worth their weight in gold and then some, but the B-29 WWll combats vets don't seem to be any more highly regarded than a Korea era or an atomic test aircraft. Left on display outside, unrestored, in parts and pieces, is it just me or is this really the case?