8 March 2024
WICHITA, Kan. (KSNW) — B-29 Doc is holding its kickoff weekend on Saturday, March 9. But, the popular plane will not take off for the tour until April.
On Saturday, the Pull a Plane event will raise money for WSU Tech Scholarships. Teams will pull the plane 25 feet, and whoever does it the fastest wins. Teams can register here. Also, people can attend the event to support the fundraiser without pulling. The full schedule of events can be found here.
As for flying, B-29 Doc will spend another month getting maintenance.
“During our annual inspection and winter maintenance block, our team discovered a few additional items that will require more time to address to ensure the safe operation of B-29 Doc,” Josh Wells, B-29 Doc executive director, said. “While these maintenance items are not major, they must be addressed before the aircraft can be returned to flight in 2024.”
B-29 Doc was built in Wichita by the Boeing Company, and it is one of only two B-29 bombers that are still airworthy.
“We are disappointed that these matters have led to a change in our plans for March and early April for the B-29 Doc History Restored Tour,” Wells said. “But the fact of the matter is we are 100% committed to the long-term safe operation of Doc. That means when the aircraft is not ready to fly due to maintenance, we pause and get it right. I’m proud of our maintenance team and the work they’ve done since last November, and for the work our team will wrap up soon so we can continue Doc’s mission.”