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B-29 "DOC" Restoration Project |
Volunteer - Max Parkhurst |
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'DOC' Progress ContinuesVolunteer works on B-29 electrical systemsBy Susan Calbeck Originally published in April 16, 2003 edition of Boeing PLANETALK B-29 "DOC" Restoration Volunteer Max Parkhurst, a retired 36-year Boeing employee and aviation enthusiast, can often be found working at Boeing Wichita's Northwest Hangar to renovate the World War II bomber's electrical system. Parkhurst pores over drawings and photos and rifles through drawers, boxes and crates to find wiring connectors, junction boxes, fuse boxes and other parts that have been taken off the aircraft. Some of the parts have already been cleaned up, which means that the old wires, solder and corrosion have been removed and the parts have been primed and are ready to reuse. Many parts await a similar rebirth if they are needed. The former Boeing test technician uses the drawings to figure out where the junction boxes are, what wires they contain, and where the wires go. Some of the original wiring for systems such as the autopilot and the bombing system won't be restored, he said, and he must use the drawings to determine which wires will and won't be needed. "It's a tedious process," he said. "I wasn't here when they took the airplane apart (shortly after it arrived in Wichita in May 2001), so I don't know what was already on it to begin with, and what as missing." Parkhurst said the progress has been made by a team effort. "I have a team of several people working with me that have been invaluable to the project. Without them we would not be this far along for many weeks." The volunteer team has lots of wire, and expects that many of its requirements can be met by the wire shop at a Boeing subsidiary in Corinth Texas, which has agreed to provide much of the wiring needed for the restoration. However, Parkhurst said, he expects that some of the wiring installation will need to be designed on the spot as they go. Recently Parkhurst helped repair and test the B-29's auxiliary power unit, which the volunteers sometimes call the "putt putt." After replacing the fuel pump and making some other adjustments, the volunteers tested it. "We took it outside and started it up," he said. "It works." Parkhurst, who worked in the engineering test labs at Boeing Wichita, retired in 1993. In the years since retirement he built a two-seat experimental aircraft and likes to fly it whenever possible. Last year while visiting Boeing Wichita for the 50th anniversary celebration for the B-52, he became interested in the B-29 project and decided to volunteer.
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