build a B-29

Nathan · **Posted:** Wed Feb 17, 2010 8:44 pm

jwc50 wrote:

I would rather see a restored flying B-50 or even a restored C-97 rather than try to make a "B-29" from the remains of a B-50 or C-97. I would rather see and hear the 3,500 HP R-4360's roaring thru the air on one of those rather than another B-29.

If you are going to try to put another B-29 in the air I would say start with a B-29.

There are still plenty of C-97's sitting derelic for some odd reason. But I too would LOOOVEEE to see a B-50 errrr to be specific KB-50 fly!

mrmoto · **Posted:** Wed Feb 17, 2010 10:38 pm

the Air Force bought over 800 KC-97s and did not shoot them up like they did the B-29, so that is why there are still some around.Hawkins & Powers bought a dozen or so KC-97s in the 70s or 80s and used only one for water bombing and cargo. the rest were put out to pasture.
It is my understanding that you may be able to buy one out of Greybull for scrap value. That is a heck of a lot cheaper than a real B-29 at $1.5 million. These planes last flew in the 70s or 80s and are intact, not an erector set kit like the B-29.

GARY HILTON · **Posted:** Wed Feb 17, 2010 11:05 pm

Out of curiosity, does anyone know just how many copies of the B-29 the Soviets produced? And then, how many are still surviving in the Motherland?

Second Air Force · **Posted:** Wed Feb 17, 2010 11:12 pm

GARY HILTON wrote:

Out of curiosity, does anyone know just how many copies of the B-29 the Soviets produced? And then, how many are still surviving in the Motherland?

Gary,

From all I've ever seen in print, only the one survives in Russia and two turboprop conversions in China. Supposedly the one in Moscow is either the first, or at least one of the first, off the line. They built over 800 of them!

S

Edward Sheetmetalhands · **Joined:** Sat Oct 25, 2008 6:44 am **Posts:** 257

RNDMTRS4EVR · **Posted:** Thu Feb 18, 2010 3:05 pm

You know that Clay Lacy bought two of the C-97's at Greybull, One was the tanker the other for parts. They have already removed the tank out of the belly on the flyable C-97, and put a belly out of another one in it's place. So what are Clays plans for the C-97 I don't know. Heard rumor of a possible 377 conversion but nobody can confirm this. So there is a flyable C-97 out there. Also what about the B-50 the Chino boys have?

Scott...............

Pat Carry · **Posted:** Thu Feb 18, 2010 5:13 pm

I wonder what the chances sre of Fertile Myrtile ever being put back together again.

B-29 Super Fort · **Joined:** Wed Sep 01, 2004 11:12 am **Posts:** 871

Pat Carry wrote:

I wonder what the chances sre of Fertile Myrtile ever being put back together again.

Speaking of Fertile Mrytile I have a question as it relates to the Warbird Registry. In the Registry it said there was an aborted attempt to fly it from Oakland to Florida in 1984, after Kermit bought it. And according to the Registry it was trucked to Florida in 1989. So is it stored in Florida or is it stored in California at Aero Traders?

TAdan · **Posted:** Fri Feb 19, 2010 10:07 am

I have not seen it mentioned already in this thread...The Berlin Airlift Hist. Found. also has a C-97 that they are restoring to airworthy.

the330thbg · **Joined:** Wed Nov 14, 2007 3:06 pm **Posts:** 2713

http://www.spiritoffreedom.org/

Correct.., they are working on the C-97. Last I heard, they were doing gear tests.., have not seen or heard of updates since then..,

JimH · **Posted:** Fri Feb 19, 2010 10:36 am

Pretty sure Clay is doing an Airliner.

jim

Second Air Force · **Posted:** Fri Feb 19, 2010 11:20 am

B-29 Super Fort wrote:

Pat Carry wrote:

I wonder what the chances sre of Fertile Myrtile ever being put back together again.

Speaking of Fertile Mrytile I have a question as it relates to the Warbird Registry. In the Registry it said there was an aborted attempt to fly it from Oakland to Florida in 1984, after Kermit bought it. And according to the Registry it was trucked to Florida in 1989. So is it stored in Florida or is it stored in California at Aero Traders?

The forward fuselage is in Florida on display and the balance of the airframe is in California. On the subject of the B-29 parts in California, I think Gary posted a few photos of the outer wing panels and nacelles on a WIX thread a couple of years ago. I haven't the foggiest which thread it was on.......

S

wwrw2007 · **Posted:** Tue Feb 23, 2010 4:28 pm

Warbird Kid wrote:

I thought I heard a rumor that the Collings Foundation was finally going to try and close the gap and acquire a B-26 and B-29. Could this be Aero Traders? Or maybe Kermit's spare?

That would be perfect, once they restore it to fly they could claim that they have the only flying B-24 and B-29. If they forget about Ol'927 I'm sure they'll forget about Fifi.

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