yardbird78 Posted June 25, 2016 Share Posted June 25, 2016 The Department of Defense has officially granted DOC's restoration team permission to use McConnell's runway for taxi testing and initial flight tests. See the article at: http://www.b-29doc.com/2016/06/24/department-of-defense-approves-use-of-runway-at-mcconnell-air-force-base/ First flight is getting REALLY close. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Scooby Posted June 25, 2016 Share Posted June 25, 2016 The Department of Defense has officially granted DOC's restoration team permission to use McConnell's runway for taxi testing and initial flight tests. See the article at: http://www.b-29doc.com/2016/06/24/department-of-defense-approves-use-of-runway-at-mcconnell-air-force-base/ First flight is getting REALLY close. Not as close as you think. The DoD won't permit a return flight to McConnel, Doc has to land elsewhere. So they are making sure she is good for an extended first flight. Really silly decision making if you ask me. This puts pressure restraints on those involved with Doc's progress. This was actually approved a few months back and there are still a few months away from first flight. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
82Whitey51 Posted June 25, 2016 Share Posted June 25, 2016 (edited) Not as close as you think. The DoD won't permit a return flight to McConnel, Doc has to land elsewhere. So they are making sure she is good for an extended first flight. Really silly decision making if you ask me. This puts pressure restraints on those involved with Doc's progress. This was actually approved a few months back and there are still a few months away from first flight. Shouldn't be too difficult to find a field...it's Wichita, you can't spit without hitting one. I'm sure they have a plan in place. This press release says they can use the longer runway for high speed taxi and take offs and landings. I imagine they just need the longer runway for these initial test ops. http://www.warbirdsnews.com/aircraft-restoration/b-29-doc-pentagon-approval-fly.html Isn't McConnel shared by Boeing and Spirit as well? Pretty much just a KC-135 USAF Reserve base? Edited June 25, 2016 by 82Whitey51 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
fulcrum1 Posted June 25, 2016 Share Posted June 25, 2016 I'm going to take my boys to see the first flight. This is good news. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
archybean Posted June 25, 2016 Share Posted June 25, 2016 The bigger issue is going to be finding a hangar space as a home. Boeing/Spirit have reluctantly given space to do the restoration. I'm not sure if they have a dedicated home. It'd be a shame to take off and not be able to land there Quote Link to post Share on other sites
tosouthern66 Posted June 25, 2016 Share Posted June 25, 2016 This is outstanding the DOC is almost ready to take flight again after all these years. I watched some of the videos just a few minutes ago and all I can say is that when those engines came to life it brought tears to my eyes. I have never felt this way before for any of the aircraft that have been restored to flight. This one seems to have hit me deep down inside. I can't wait to see DOC fly! GO DOC GO!!!! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
ST0RM Posted June 26, 2016 Share Posted June 26, 2016 Jabara (KAAO) just to the north would be good. Although hangar space may be an issue. But we know that a 747 can land there, so a B-29 would be a cinch. -Jeff Quote Link to post Share on other sites
archybean Posted June 27, 2016 Share Posted June 27, 2016 And not your average 747 either! That was a heck of a thing to see take off Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Scooby Posted June 27, 2016 Share Posted June 27, 2016 WIX has more detailed information on all of this. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
fulcrum1 Posted July 2, 2016 Share Posted July 2, 2016 Might be flying this month! They'll announce it on their webpage giving folks enough time to head down there. Active duty folks from Whiteman and Leavenworth are helping/will be in attendance. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
archybean Posted July 8, 2016 Share Posted July 8, 2016 July 17 folks! http://www.b-29doc.com/2016/07/08/first-flight-scheduled-for-b-29-doc/ Quote Link to post Share on other sites
yardbird78 Posted July 8, 2016 Author Share Posted July 8, 2016 My goodness, how I wish that I could be there to witness that! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
tosouthern66 Posted July 16, 2016 Share Posted July 16, 2016 (edited) Tomorrow Sunday 17 July 2016 history will roar back into the air. May the flight gods be gracious and keep Doc and his crew safe. Live Video for the flight toorrow can be viewed here. http://www.b-29doc.com/firstflight/ Edited July 16, 2016 by tosouthern66 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Don Posted July 16, 2016 Share Posted July 16, 2016 I might have missed it somewhere, but if anyone knows what time the webcast begins tomorrow could they post it please. This I have to see! Go DOC Go ! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
dnl42 Posted July 16, 2016 Share Posted July 16, 2016 Doc’s flight and ground crews expect to have wheels up at 8:30 a.m. CDT. The flight can be viewed by the public from locations along 47th Street South near Oliver in Wichita, including parking lots on the southwest corner of 47th Street South and Oliver. A live webcast will also be available at www.b-29doc.com/firstflight. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Don Posted July 16, 2016 Share Posted July 16, 2016 Thanks dnl42! That'll do . Quote Link to post Share on other sites
yardbird78 Posted July 17, 2016 Author Share Posted July 17, 2016 (edited) I will definitely be watching. Edited July 17, 2016 by yardbird78 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
yardbird78 Posted July 17, 2016 Author Share Posted July 17, 2016 (edited) 0900. DOC just lifted off from the McConnell AFB runway on her first light. A slight problem with the forward bomb bay door latch delayed the take off for a few minutes. Edited July 17, 2016 by yardbird78 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
yardbird78 Posted July 17, 2016 Author Share Posted July 17, 2016 0906. One counter clockwise lap of the pattern and back on the ground. SUCCESSFUL FIRST FLIGHT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
archybean Posted July 17, 2016 Share Posted July 17, 2016 That was amazing! I wish I still lived in Wichita to be able to drive only 5-10 minutes to have seen that Quote Link to post Share on other sites
riffraff Posted July 17, 2016 Share Posted July 17, 2016 Great to see!! If you missed it you can go to the live feed and pull the red line(not sure what it is called) back and watch it. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Don Posted July 17, 2016 Share Posted July 17, 2016 She sounded great and looked awesome! What an outstanding restoration! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
jager Posted July 17, 2016 Share Posted July 17, 2016 Here is the You Tube posting. It would have been great to be there but this will have to do for now. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
texgal45 Posted July 17, 2016 Share Posted July 17, 2016 Great show. I watched the whole thing from engine start to shut down, (the second one). Grandma L Quote Link to post Share on other sites
echolmberg Posted July 18, 2016 Share Posted July 18, 2016 What a great sight to see! It's hard to imagine hundreds of these taking off for their raids in the Pacific. One thing I was curious about, though. Why do planes keep their wheels down during test flights? Is it for "just in case of emergency" purposes? I would think that having the gear down would hinder its performance. Or is that the object? To limit its performance? Quote Link to post Share on other sites
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