B-29 Doc Project Fully Funded

Photo: Brett Schauf/Visual Media Group/Doc’s Friends

It's been decades since the B-29 named Doc, currently in restoration by Doc's Friends in Wichita, Kansas, was brought back to life from the boneyard in the Mojave Desert. And with all the work and funding required to get the structure, systems and engines restored there may have been doubt as to whether the quest to make the big bomber fly again would be successful.

With the restoration phase of the project completed, the airplane's engines were recently started for the first time since it was parked all those years ago, initiating the final phase before first flight. But Doc's Friends' coffers ran dry, spurring a Kickstarter campaign to raise the $137,500 the organization needed to complete the project.

We're happy to report that the crowdfunding campaign has surpassed its goal. So far more than 870 backers have contributed nearly $150,000. That number may reach even higher as the campaign doesn't close until Friday.

Now it is only a matter of time before Doc flies again. We can't wait.

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Pia Bergqvist joined FLYING in December 2010. A passionate aviator, Pia started flying in 1999 and quickly obtained her single- and multi-engine commercial, instrument and instructor ratings. After a decade of working in general aviation, Pia has accumulated almost 3,000 hours of flight time in nearly 40 different types of aircraft.

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