B-29 Doc Gets Ready to Tour

The FAA has cleared the B-29 named Doc, which has been fully restored by an organization called Doc’s Friends in Wichita, Kansas, to start touring the country after it completed phase one of its flight test operations. The agency issued a special airworthiness certificate to Doc, allowing the historic airplane to fly without distance restrictions.

“The FAA’s approval means we can begin the next phase of our restoration and flight operations plan, and that includes sharing our historic warbird with air shows around the United States,” said Jim Murphy, Doc’s Friends restoration program manager.

A tour schedule has not yet been released, but Murphy said several events in at least six states, including EAA AirVenture in Oshkosh, Wisconsin, are in the preliminary plans. “We have a few more minor winter maintenance items to complete and we’ll begin running engines before the end of March,” he said. “If everything goes as planned, I expect us to be back in the air in early April.” Murphy expects to release a planned travel schedule for the B-29 soon.

Doc’s Friends is still raising money to fund a permanent home for Doc at the Eisenhower National Airport in Wichita. To contribute, go to www.b-29doc.com.