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B-29 "DOC" Restoration Project |
Volunteer - Horace O. "Pen" Pendelton |
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“Pen” was born at Islesboro, Maine, a small summer resort coastal island, in 1915. He moved to the west side of Pittsburgh, PA in 1937. Pen started working in the aviation field as a “gopher/mechanic” for Cliff Ball Airlines where he was trained as a CAA/FAA A&P mechanic. Cliff Ball Airlines primarily flew mail, and later became Pennsylvania Airlines, then finally Capital Airlines. While working at Capital “Pen” was supporting a fleet of airplanes for U.S. Steel Corp. Finally Capital merged with United Airlines. Shortly after the merger “Pen” retired and went to work for US Steel. US Steel had a fleet of planes that flew all over the world. After 20 + years with US Steel “Pen” retired for the second time. Years later still in Pittsburgh, he maintained a fleet of Douglas DC-3’s. owned by the small cargo carrier, SMB Stage Lines. “Pen” is currently a charter member of the Air Heritage Museum at the Beaver County airport near Pittsburgh. About ten (10) years ago Tony Mazzolini approached the Air Heritage Museum requesting assistance on restoration of a North American B-25 that was in boxes. The B-25 was to be restored as a “gate guard” for the U.S. Navy at Pensacola, FL. And then traded for the B-29 currently known as “DOC”. Tony purchased “DOC” from the Navy storage area at China Lake, California. “DOC” was towed 38 miles to Inyoke, CA where Boeing volunteers prepared it to be trucked to the Wichita, Boeing plant. “Pen” has been supporting the B-29 restoration project for over 5 years. He hopes to be able to continue his volunteer efforts until “DOC” flies again. He has a son that lives in Wichita, where he stays when he comes to volunteer his services on the restoration project. “Pen” wants to recognize all the talented and experienced volunteers that have supported “DOC” for the many years it has taken to move the project forward to where it is today. He really enjoys the interaction, working with the volunteers and seeing the many pictures that have been taken to record the progress of “DOC”. He believes that his time spent on “DOC” has been very valuable to him and feels humbled to be a member of the amazing “DOC” team. Currently, in Pittsburgh at the Beaver County Airport, Pen is involved in the restoration of a group of Boeing Stearmans’ equipped with Continental W-67- radial engines.
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