B-29 "DOC" Restoration Project

 

Status April 2008 Summary of major items accomplished on DOC Restoration and Support.

New - DOC memorabilia available:  A new desk top sized model of DOC is available for purchase.  Of course, proceeds go to the cause. Since DOC has been moved from a Boeing Hangar to an outside ramp at the Kansas Aviation Museum (KAM) in March of 2007, minimal work has been possible on the airframe.  This has been complicated by both obtaining funding, and delays receiving funding for a temporary hangar.  It appears that this potential for temporary hangar is getting stronger however. Hanger money has been acquired and is being transferred to escrow.  An announcement will be made and an order placed when the transfer is complete.  During the Kansas summers, it is too hot to work outside in a closed aircraft.  In the winter it is too cold without portable heating.  Some work can be accomplished in the spring and fall, but It usually takes longer to open and close the airframe and set up work stands than productive work could be accomplished.   DOC Volunteer efforts have been expended in assisting KAM in refurbishing the DOC Operations Center (Office), the break room and one other section of the museum.     The following events have hosted staffed DOC information booths: 2007 Wichita River Festival MAFB open house, July 2007 Cessna Gun and Knife Show 2007 and 2008 Wichita Industrial Tool Show (WITS) 2007 Newton Wings of Remembrance Air show 2007 Jabara Air Show 2007 Oshkosh (WI) Air Adventure 2007 (Sponsored by EAA) The 9th bomb group reunion was at KAM on 9-28-2007 The Tokyo Broadcasting crew was here the September 27-28, 2007 to record a video documentary including interviews with B-29 veterans.  Follow the above link to see pictures of the 9th Bomb Squadron Reunion Work on outer wing panels is resuming in Newton now that weather is warming.  The central fire control seat (barber chair) has been built.  Side scanner seats are next on the list to build.  We are still short some drawings. Electrical power to B-29 ramp area is being installed. Outer wing repair is progressing at Newton.  Scott Malcomb is assisting with engineering dispositions on Discrepancy Reports (DR’S). Flap tracts and flap carriages are assembled and bought by inspection. Open DR’s are being checked and closed by inspection. APU fuel system is installed and we have powered up airplane from aft bomb bay aft to tail skid by running the Auxilliary Power unit (APU). ( see You tube Video link in this section) Wiring splice at station 646 is complete which connects cockpit to aft sections from bomb bay on aft. Motor mounts are being assembled. On Sept 21 a 3350 engine like Doc’s engines arrived from Bear Lake airport in California.  It has been donated to USAM by Bear Lake airport and was delivered by one of the airport guys who hauled it all the way here on a trailer behind his pickup.  He said most exciting part was coming down hill from mountains with a 2000 lb engine pushing him along.