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 B-29 Story 
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http://mortefontainevillage.pagesperso- ... y/b29.html

Cool video

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Mon Mar 20, 2017 4:54 pm
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Thanks Pablo awesome video. Didn't realize that B-29 was manufactured in Wichita, KS as mentioned in the video. I had always assumed that they were cranked out in the Seattle area.

Also the video of the plane's recovery from China Lake showed US Air Force markings meaning it was in service at least until late 1947 as the USAF was only formed as an independent branch on 18 Sep 1947 when the National Security Act took effect.

Apparently only two B-29's are now in flying condition although there are numerous bombers on static display including Bock's Car (National Museum of the USAF), Enola Gay (Smithsonian), and others:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_surviving_Boeing_B-29_Superfortresses

Got me thinking of making a trip to Castle Air Museum in San Joaquin Valley when I visit in May. This was a former B-52 base. Saw the last air show there prior to BRAC closure and the remaining Castle Air Museum still has quite a collection of WWII and Cold War aircraft of various stripes.

Also if you're intrigued by the B-29 you might also be interested in two seminal, record setting designs of the Cold War:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/North_American_XB-70_Valkyrie
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Convair_B-58_Hustler

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Mon Mar 20, 2017 5:28 pm
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My kids bought me a ride on FIFI...for Fathers day in 2014. Flew outta the Olympia airport. At that time it was the only certified B-29 in operation. My seat was in the "Navigators" chair.

Theodore "Dutch" Van Kirk had sat in that seat at some time and autographed the chart table at the position.

Our initial flight day got cancelled because of a blown tire. Had to wait 3 days for a complete new set to arrive and get installed.

Very cool...

All my "in flight" pics got lost when I dropped my camera overboard...2 days later :frust:

Image

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Mon Mar 20, 2017 8:01 pm
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I saw Bocks Car at Wright-Pat and crawled through Enola Gay while it was being restored.


Mon Mar 20, 2017 8:32 pm
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My grandfather was part of the crew that rebuilt them after the initial build wasn't up to snuff. He then helped fly them over to Japan in a host of missions too. He was assigned to the 45th Squadron, 40th BG.

http://www.airforcemag.com/MagazineArch ... 12b29.aspx

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Kansas


Mon Mar 20, 2017 10:50 pm
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GeekWithGuns wrote:
Thanks Pablo awesome video. Didn't realize that B-29 was manufactured in Wichita, KS as mentioned in the video. I had always assumed that they were cranked out in the Seattle area.

The B-29 was built in multiple locations (by Boeing and others) - including Renton.


Mon Mar 20, 2017 11:05 pm
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Anyone ever see the story of the B-29 "Kee Bird" that landed in Greenland I believe? Pretty incredible.


Tue Mar 21, 2017 8:18 am
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gunblaster wrote:
GeekWithGuns wrote:
Thanks Pablo awesome video. Didn't realize that B-29 was manufactured in Wichita, KS as mentioned in the video. I had always assumed that they were cranked out in the Seattle area.

The B-29 was built in multiple locations (by Boeing and others) - including Renton.


Thanks GB. I had no idea. Found a cool site dedicated to the B-29 that describes the various manufacturing plants along with units rolled off the lines:
http://www.b29-superfortress.com/b29-superfortress-production-assembly-plants.htm

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Tue Mar 21, 2017 8:24 am
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I was unaware that there were no more B29s in any museums or anywhere. That's staggering, and terribly disrespectful to have used all of them for scrap or target practice. Sometimes the decisions of our military leadership really tick me off...

The video is fantastic and I'm so glad that these people restored Doc.

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Tue Mar 21, 2017 1:27 pm
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leadcounsel wrote:
I was unaware that there were no more B29s in any museums or anywhere. That's staggering, and terribly disrespectful to have used all of them for scrap or target practice. Sometimes the decisions of our military leadership really tick me off...

The video is fantastic and I'm so glad that these people restored Doc.


https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bockscar#Current_status

https://airandspace.si.edu/collection-o ... -enola-gay


Tue Mar 21, 2017 2:32 pm
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https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kee_Bird


Wed Mar 22, 2017 10:39 am
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