catcrew
Flight Lieutenant
Posts: 72
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Post by catcrew on May 18, 2016 18:21:00 GMT 12
A great effort and it will be fantastic to see it fly.
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Post by Dave Homewood on May 18, 2016 19:56:08 GMT 12
Very cool, it will be a thrill when Doc returns to the air!!
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catcrew
Flight Lieutenant
Posts: 72
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Post by catcrew on May 21, 2016 11:32:17 GMT 12
FAA Deems B-29 “Doc” Airworthy, First Flight Imminent WICHITA, Kan., May 20, 2016 /PRNewswire/ — The Federal Aviation Administration today deemed the B-29 known as “Doc” airworthy by officially presenting the restoration crew with an FAA airworthiness certificate. The airworthiness certificate is the most notable milestone yet for the team working to restore the historic B-29. It also comes three days before the 16th anniversary of “Doc” arriving in Wichita on May 23, 2000 to begin its restoration journey. “It’s been nearly 60 years since ‘Doc’ has flown and 16 years since this majestic warbird arrived in Wichita to be restored, and now we are another major milestone closer to a return to flight,” said Jim Murphy, Doc’s Friends Restoration Program Manager. “Today, we celebrate this major milestone and honor the hundreds of thousands of hours of volunteer work that has gone into restoring our B-29. From the team who saved ‘Doc’ from rusting away in the Mojave Desert in California, to the dedicated volunteers who have been working tirelessly on the restoration project since ‘Doc’ was brought to Wichita 16 years ago, today is a great day.” With the FAA airworthiness certificate in hand, the restoration team will soon submit an official request to the U.S. Air Force and Pentagon to be granted access to use the non-joint-use runway at McConnell Air Force Base in Wichita, Kansas for test flight operations. Upon approval, the restoration crew can use the runway for high-speed taxi tests and other ground testing needed prior to first flight. “The dream of getting ‘Doc’ back into the air to serve as a flying memorial and museum to honor the men and women who served our nation in these airplanes and those who built and maintained the fleet, just took a major step toward reality,” said Jeff Turner, Doc’s Friends Chairman. “It’s because of Tony Mazzolini and hundreds of volunteers who have touched ‘Doc’ along the way that we have reached this milestone. On behalf of the entire Doc’s Friends board, I thank you for all you have done.” As for the scheduling of ground testing and eventually first flight, information will be provided online at www.b-29doc.com and via releases delivered to the media. Those who are interested are encouraged to sign up to receive instant updates from the restoration crew as they are released by visiting www.b-29doc.com/signup. On the web: www.b-29doc.comTwitter: www.twitter.com/DocsFriendsFacebook: www.facebook.com/DocsFriendsAbout Doc’s Friends Doc’s Friends is a 501c3 non-profit board managing the restoration of the Boeing B-29 Superfortress known as “Doc”. The group was formed in 2013 and is led by retired Spirit AeroSystems CEO Jeff Turner along with other Wichita business leaders; Charlie Chandler, Jack Pelton, Steve Clark, Lynn Nichols, Brad Gorsuch, Vic McMullen, Ron Ryan, Tim Buchanan, Jeff Peier, Esq., and Tom Bertels. Doc’s Friends is committed to returning this World War II warbird to the air to honor previous generations, educate current and future generations. and connect the world to the rich heritage of aviation. SOURCE: Doc’s Friends |
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Post by raymond on May 21, 2016 16:47:19 GMT 12
Go Doc
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Post by nuuumannn on May 23, 2016 3:51:14 GMT 12
Terrific. To see two B-29s in the air at the same time... spine tingling. Aluminium Overcast.
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Post by Dave Homewood on May 23, 2016 8:50:04 GMT 12
Fifi is heading to Airventure at Oshkosh, I wonder if Doc might make it there too.
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Post by davidd on May 23, 2016 10:03:51 GMT 12
Nice to see a B-29 in bare metal again, what a star! I can understand operators of such aircraft playing it safe and giving them a protective finish, but sparkling aluminium cannot be beaten visually speaking.
David D
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Post by Dave Homewood on May 23, 2016 17:29:03 GMT 12
I agree David, it looks stunning like that. I love the artwork too.
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catcrew
Flight Lieutenant
Posts: 72
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Post by catcrew on Jul 9, 2016 8:29:51 GMT 12
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Post by baz62 on Jul 9, 2016 17:39:48 GMT 12
Looks like first flight is this weekend. I got an email through their Kickstarter campaign and they say it's arranged for Sunday the 17th July. They had to arrange it with the Air force (since it's their base) and even permission from the pentagon. Only thing that'll stop her now is the weather. |
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catcrew
Flight Lieutenant
Posts: 72
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Post by catcrew on Jul 9, 2016 20:15:51 GMT 12
Baz is correct. I didn't read it carefully enough at 0600 this morning. Too much hurry.
Apologies
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Post by Dave Homewood on Jul 17, 2016 13:52:58 GMT 12
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Post by ZacYates on Jul 17, 2016 15:28:09 GMT 12
They plan for takeoff around 8.30am, that's 1.30am for us - I'll be up and watching!
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Post by Dave Homewood on Jul 18, 2016 2:26:17 GMT 12
Well that was really fun to watch, following a false start due to bomb bay doors opening just before take off, was the real take off and Doc flew again for the first time in 60 years! How cool is that? It was a fairly short flight with undercarriage down all the way back to a successful landing but a huge accomplishment none the less. Congratulations to all
And fitting too that an hour or so earlier the BBMF Lancaster also flew again after a lengthy restoration to repair the damage caused by last year's engine fire.
Two WWII four engined heavy bombers return to flight an hour or so apart, fantastic!
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Post by kiwiduster1 on Jul 18, 2016 2:40:21 GMT 12
Doc is back in the air !! Great effort all concerned !!
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Post by ZacYates on Jul 18, 2016 8:51:48 GMT 12
I'm still buzzing! Although that might be from the coffee with V chaser...
What an achievement. The aircraft is simply stunning and something for Tony Mazzoni(sp?) and Doc's Friends to be truly proud of. Wow.
And how cool is it that we could watch a first post-restoration flight live as it happened? Amazing.
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Post by suthg on Jul 18, 2016 9:17:51 GMT 12
Still nothing on their website! I did have work today after a Friday off sick, so did not want to get up at 1:30am, although I do at times for Formula One! Pleased to know she was safe and sound and satisfied all tests comfortably. A bit like the Martin Mars plane getting off the water last week after a $1,000,000 refit for avionics and fuse panels etc.
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Post by Mustang51 on Jul 18, 2016 10:00:02 GMT 12
That B.29 could have been in Oz if a few people had believed that the offer was there
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Post by planecrazy on Jul 20, 2016 9:49:55 GMT 12
Found this, great hearing the people cheer as she takes off!
This one is better go pro footage from inside!
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Post by Dave Homewood on Aug 7, 2016 22:48:51 GMT 12
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