For the first time since 1956, the B-29 “Doc” flew. The first successful flight after a 16-year restoration was held Sunday, July 17.
The flight lasted about about seven minutes and the crew reported an overall successful flight. Doc took off from McConnell Air Force Base in Wichita, Kan., and returned to the same runway.
In the coming days, the ground and restoration team will review all of the flight data and gauge readings, and they will also perform a full check and inspection of the plane’s systems and control surfaces.
A highlight video was made from the first flight, including footage from the runway and inside the cockpit during the flight.
No doubt “Doc” flew exactly the same as it did the first day it flew some 70 years ago. A big beautiful bird for sure with an equally beautiful sound coming from those 4 powerful radial engines.
I envy the pilots who flew the restored B-29 “Doc”. Great job and the crew who did the restoration work.
It’s a great day to see another B-29 take to the sky once again. These planes were a giant leap forward in the aviation industry and ushered in innovations that are being used in today’s A/C. The crew that has taken the last ten years to reach this goal should feel proud of all their efforts when ” Doc ” lifted off the runway and returned safely. As we said in the Navy ” BZ “, JOB WELL DONE!
That’s a beautiful site, My dad would of love to see that, he kept them flying in the pacific.
Beautiful bird great restoration keep them flying. Did this model use the W3350 or the PW4360?