What's the latest on restoration of B-29 Doc?

[Eric Friedebach]

I believe only one of the Russian built B-29 clones still exist.

That was a massive reverse engineering project! Wouldn’t it be cool to have something from it flying in Fifi or Doc?

EDIT: Spell check for individual of questionable judgement.

[MX304]

It would be cool to somehow acquire one and get it flying. Although I never see that happening. If I had unlimited $$$ though, an airworthy Bear would be my pick.

[Eureka181]

That was a massive reverse engineering project! Wouldn’t it be cool to have something from it flying Fifi or Doc?

It would be great if we could get a TU-4 flying! But like what MX304 said it would cost a ton of money. But if the right person or persons comes along, it could happen. I try to stay optimistic! It would be an amazing historic contribution to the warbird community.

Eric

[Eric Friedebach]

I think I wiped out what I was trying to say when I spell checked myself. I was thinking more of getting some needed parts. We could trade them some 97 parts, heh, heh, heh.

They owe us one on that deal anyway!

[bdk]

Two at the Aviation Museum of China, Datangshan, Mongolia.

The two on display in China have been refitted with turboprops. Not sure what else was changed. Also, Datangshan is not in Mongolia, it is near Beijing.

[B29Gunner]

Is he talking about the main gear retraction clyinders, or the smaller door actuators etc? If he is talking about the main cylinders, then yeah I would think they were worth more than $300

...those would be the MLG retract screws they're after! The original one's were "lost" during one of the moves (don't ask me how.)

As far as them offering $300....look at it this way. There are about 120+ specific parts that make up just one one those assemblies. If you had to custom make a pair of them, well...you guys could image what that would end up costing ya! (welcome to warbirds!) So yes, $300 is dirt cheap. On a side note, there are a couple pairs of these things floating around out there

[Eureka181]

Two at the Aviation Museum of China, Datangshan, Mongolia.

The two on display in China have been refitted with turboprops. Not sure what else was changed. Also, Datangshan is not in Mongolia, it is near Beijing.

I guess I messed up on the location there. I know that one of the two TU-4s in China has a radar pod on the top of the fuselage.

Eric

[Tom Crawford]

No one has mentioned so far in this string that Michael O'Leary has a good general photo story about Doc in the Sept/Oct. Warbirds International Issue, albeit not really current it does give some idea of what progress is being made. Tom

[Wolverine]

Let me guess; liability issues?

Not exactly.

Lets just say that a very important politician has a maintenance hangar next to Doc's new hangar and that the new hangar is on/right next to (as in open the doors and you're there) McConnell AFB.

It can't be liability issues because they had no problem with me working at the old hangar, about a mile away.

[wendovertom]

OK - here is my question - is there any way to strike a deal with a B-29 that is on static display somewhere? Such as Hagerty's Hag here in Utah, the B-29 at Los Alamos, etc etc etc - these planes will never fly again so why do they need the engines?? you could build an simulated engine (weight and size) to replace the engine you pulled off.

Tom P.

[airnutz]

...Or exchange the engines with "run-out" cores.

[RareBear]

B29Gunner,

What do you think a fair price for the pair of MLG retract screws would be? I told the ranger at the park that I'd try to establish a reasonable price and get back to him.

Thanks,

Walt

[Chris Brame]

Here's the sister ship to the Cordele, GA B-29 F-13 42-93967...



42-93968 after landing at Puerto Princesa with engine trouble; it was the first Superfortress most of the personnel (including my uncle) had seen. Sorry about the quality; I'm still trying to work with screened negs.