Doc´s Friends restoration team, the group leading the restoration effort of the B-29 known as Doc, said it has been announced as the recipient of the annual Wichita Aero Club Trophy.
The team of volunteers will be recognized and celebrated during the annual Wichita Aero Club Gala in January, where the trophy will be presented.
“From the beginning, this team has been focused on one thing: getting this historic warbird back into the air,” said Jim Murphy, Restoration Program Manager for Doc´s Friends. “This plane means so much to so many people. Many of our volunteers either helped build our B-29 when it came off the assembly line at Boeing Wichita in 1945 or served our nation in a B-29 during conflict. Some have even carried out their volunteer work to honor a loved one who either served our nation in a B-29 or was member of Wichita aviation work force during the 1940s and 50s.”
The restoration team recently successfully started and ran all four engines as they prepare for an Airworthiness Certificate from the FAA, which could be received in the next few weeks. Following certification, the crew will embark on ground and taxi testing before eventually entering into the test flight status. Murphy and the Doc´s Friends restoration team are hopeful they can reach the first flight milestone before the end of the year.
Doc´s Friends is a 501c3 non-profit board managing the restoration of the Boeing B-29 Superfortress known as Doc.
