Doc's permanent home is a hangar at Wichita's Eisenhower Regional Airport. When not on tour it as on display at its hanger and is available for tours. It took 10 years to restore by volunteers from Boeing employees and retirees. Doc was built here is Wichita and it was great to watch the progress of the restoration.
1500 for the flight but the amazing experience, priceless. What a treat, and we get to experience it vicariously through you. You were like a big kid with that massive grin of yours throughout the flight. What a privilege to be on something so historical and fantastic and that they allow the public to experience it. More than worth the price tag in my opinion, especially being up the front. Thank you again for another wonderful video!
And 1500 is not a bad price for a ride in Doc. Especially when you consider the operating costs of a B-29 in the modern day. The engines alone require an hour of maintenance for every 10 flight hours. Not to mention the fuel, 100/130 avgas that runs double-digits per gallon, very few airports supply it, and aircraft like Doc can slurp gallons on takeoff.
I got to fly in the B17 "Nine-O-Nines" a few years before she sadly crashed. One of the most amazing experiences in my life. Truly incredible. Great video
Very special video for me Noel as my dad was a B-29 Flight Engineer who flew 38 combat missions out of Tinian in the south Pacific over Japan and came back to tell about it. Dad passed at 95 years old 7 years ago but I have all of his medals and even an original leather flight jacket. We donated many things of his to the New England Air & Space Museum before moving to Florida, but the thing I will remember most is having the opportunity to fly on Fifi with my dad. The things he and the other young men and women endured during WWII are a testament to what has made our country great. Thanks for this Noel very special !
Thank you to your Dad and the greatest generation ever who made the USA the greatest and best country in human history. Unfortunately the leftist media and the Democrats have made this no longer true.
Wow! That is such a super-cool story! In the late 70s FIFI was parked at Dee Howard in San Antonio undergoing maintenance. My dad was chief pilot for Dee Howard flying the Howard 500. Dee was also a close friend of his. One afternoon dad took me out to Dee Howard & just he & I walked & crawled around inside the B-29 for a while. When FIFI was ready to leave dad had arranged for me to ride during one of FIFIs post-maintenance flights around San Antonio! It was epic & unforgettable! Dad wasn't crazy about WWII aircraft, _but he knew I was,_ so it was really special he made the effort for me to get to do this.
The R-3350's used in the B-29's were quite temperamental, and almost as many B-29's were lost to accidents as enemy action (usually engine fires). The Commemorative Air Force's contribution to keeping the B-29's flying was obtaining FAA approval for exchanging parts on the engines with parts from 1950's airliners that were powered by later, much more reliable variants of the Wright R-3350. Doc has benefitted from this, as has the CAF's own B-29, FiFi.
I honestly didn't know that, thanks for that tidbit. And I guess it's all relative, I mean ANY large radial is temperamental, right? (especially the 3350s)
Fifi is a reconstructed B29. The B29s were put in a “graveyard” & none were in flying condition, so they scavenged the planes for parts & built her from them. She was the ONLY flying B29 when they made the movie “The Enola Gay.” She was built by & for the CAF in Harlingen, Tx, but that collection was later moved (over huge outcry) somewhere else in Texas. Doc was found in 1987, but Fifi is older. I ❤ Fifi & saw her many times in Harlingen.
The one at The American Air Museum at Duxford flew there in 1980 from, I think, California, where it was long-term derelict. The Air Force retired the last B-29 in 1961.
My Dad was a B-29 Flight Engineer and was based on Tinian island during WWII. He had many many stories from the war, but this video really puts you where he was. Thank you !!
OMG, this aircraft has a special place in my heart - my grandfather was one of the first flight instructors on the B-29s during World War II. I got to tour "FIFI," the only other airworthy B-29, at the Salt Lake City airport but I didn't have the wallet for a flight at the time. Thank you for showing us what it would have been like - no AC and all!
I got to visit FiFi. My grandfather flew 14 missions as a gunner. They let me check out everything - but, I was only a couple of weeks out of surgery and was having trouble getting around. But I still got to sit where my grandfather would've sat in his B-29, to include a great picture taken from outside the plane and I'm inside, looking out bubble window for the left gunner holding up a picture of my grandfather. Great video!
When I was a kid, used to build plastic models of these old planes and peek out the windows of the half built fuselage, to imagine how it looked to be on board the real thing.
I was able to take my Grandfather (ex B-17 pilot) on the Yankee lady before he died. It was like 50 years of aging, just melted off the man! It was incredible and soooo worth it!!
The Super Guppy that crossed the path on this flight is in a way the "grand child" of the B-29. The B-29 was developed into a Boeing C-97 Stratofreighter/Boeing 337 Stratocruiser which was the base aircraft in which the Guppies were developed.
As a 60s born kid, I had Airfix models hanging from my ceiling with catgut. My Dad used to build them and paint them. Lancaster, Mosquito, Flying Fortress, Super Fortress, Pam Am Chinook, Mustang & a Spitfire. As only a few miles from RAF Cosford I’ve seen all but Super Fortress fly over. Great video 👍🏻
Hey Noel love the videos. Im from the Appleton Area and work at the airport. I had the privilege of fueling the B29 this year. Nice to see you had a good time. Safe flying.
The engines on Doc apparently have been swapped out for lower power units with easier replaceable parts according to the crew I met when it visited my local airport. They are not super or turbocharged and are suffient for the low level flight Doc takes to tour the US. I’m sure with the big power engines it originally had takeoff would have been a cinch.
@@donmeyer1621 weird. The story I got on the ramp was the original engines in “Doc” according to the guys I talked to on maintenance crew were Pratt and Whit R-4360 (being a late production plane apparently) and made 4300hp. They switched to the A-1 Skyraider engines (3350s) due to parts availability and lack of turbo or superchargers making maintenance intervals and reliability better at a cost of power. I commented about being able to see the turbine wheels in the exhaust on the engines and was told that was not what I thought it was and got the story about the engine swaps. I asked about the high altitude flight and they said they didn’t need the forced induction engines since they just fly from airport to airport at sub 15k feet and also that they do not pressurize the cabin. I thought it was cool the engines they had in there make that much power without the use of turbo or superchargers.
I flew in the cockpit in 2020 at Wichita. It was a dream come true. I got great photos. And a bit of video. I used to watch them fly over every day in Idaho, coming out of the Mountain Home Airbase.
Hello Noel, here is one for you, not B29 but B17 related. My Great Grandfather killed by B17 that crash landed near Great Ashfield USAF base in Suffolk in 1944. USAF paid my Great Grandmother a pension from 1944 until 1983. I managed to get a copy of the accident report via a guy that worked on the Saturn rocket from USAF records held in San Francisco, what a story !
Two years ago the B-29 was on tour and came to my local airport, when i found out it was coming i knew i had to fly in it. i worked so hard to try and get $700 to buy a ticket to fly in the back of it. I was 15 years old and did so much yard work and eventually lucked out and found a old avionic at a antique place and bought it for $2 and sold it for $500! that got me to the $700 with 2 weeks left till the B-29 came to my airport. I bought the ticket then waited. The day came and the weather was bad and they cancelled all the B-29 flights… I was super upset and still wanted to fly and they said i could go to Sun N Fun and fly in it if i wanted to. I took that offer and 2-3 weeks later i’m down at Sun N Fun flying in the B-29! That plane is absolutely amazing and was so worth the money and struggles. Getting to look out the tail while flying was like nothing i’ve ever done, Getting to stick my hand out the window at cruising speeds was absolutely amazing. The crew on the bomber were fantastic and wanted everyone to have a amazing experience. Eventually once we landed we could crawl through the tunnel to the cockpit and see everything up there and sit in the pilots seat. Flying in Doc was a amazing experience and i would recommend anyone and everyone to try and fly in it!
That is the best seat in the house for sure. The other one, FiFi is here in Dallas and flies out of Dallas Executive occasionally. My office is under the final and when she flies overhead the entire building shakes and rumbles. I like to pull up foreflight when they're doing maneuvers and run out to catch them passing overhead. Hope I get to fly on one someday
@@kbf6434 I've only been here for just over a year but it seems like its been here the entire time I have. I've seen Fifi and a few others on multiple occasions parked outside the hanger there. Addison airport just a bit north also has some cool aircraft in a small museum.
@@conorb7872hey just wondering,I’d FIFI damaged?Because I think I saw a video about how the right gear either almost collapsed or did collapse.Can you please tell me if this is true?thank you
Suggest you try the Lancaster located at the museum in Hamilton, Ontario. It is also one of only two flying in the World. The other is in the UK. Flights are $3500 (Canadian Dollars)
I took a flight on the Lancaster in Hamilton and it was an incredible experience. The noise from those 4 engines when the throttles were advanced to takeoff power was something that I will never forget.
I was able to take a ride during Sea Fair in Seattle years ago. My favorite aviation experience. The B-29 will forever be stamped into history for several reasons including the bomb that helped end WWII
MJ SOKOLIK Getting ready to fly with my brother on B24 Diamond Lil the last one in the air , in August in Lincoln , Nebraska can't wait, it's hard to believe their are so few of these WW2 work horses left. From the person that discovered machines and the ones who restored DOC and FIFI , hats off to them and the crew that flies them. The mechanics and their office staff are so friendly , and helpful. I hope to fly on the B29 sometime in the near future. Most importantly those who served in WW2, these planes are a reminder. Thanks for the nice video.
You flew right over my house! Thanks for taking this journey for us, what an incredible experience. Its always a thrill during EAA to hear the rumbles of those piston engines and see that silver bird flying right overhead!
Did the same in the nose of Fifi a few years back when she came up to Hamilton, Ontario. I've flown in the CWMH's Lancaster as well but B-29 was such a smooth experience. Fantastic aircraft and worth every penny for the experience.
Absolutely worth it Noel. Great report! I took my son to see "Fifi" 20 years ago at the Boise airport. We took the onboard ground tour and were inside when they had to start an engine up for a test run. My 8 year old son's eyes got pretty wide when they started it up. A lot quieter than I expected though. 30 years ago my dad and I went to a ground display of a B-24 and B-17 in Wenatchee, Washington. It was really cool to listen to him talk about both of them as he had been a flight engineer on both in WW2. Also warned me not to stand directly in back of them as they started up as the old radials spit out some oil... he was right!
Few years ago, I was home for the weekend from college and they happened to have a B-25 there giving rides. One of my favorite experiences ever. Really put things into perspective how fortunate we are that I got to do that for fun as a 22 year-old kid, where as 70 years earlier, people my age were in the exact same plane over the Pacific, praying not to get shot down during their mission.
This was simply superb Noel. Really enjoyable video… would love to see you experience more ultra-vintage aircraft! Stay well and keep up the great work.
Now your talking, I love the B-29 and I watched them restore Doc to Airworthiness. It’s a beautiful sight to see and know that there is two airworthy B-29’s flying today.
This is the coolest thing I have watched on utube in a while. I have seen these older planes in museum but I had no idea that there was any that could still fly.
Doc is a B-29 Superfortress and one of 1,644 manufactured in Wichita during World War II. Since 1987 when Tony Mazzolini found Doc on sitting and rotting away in the Mojave Desert, plans have been in the works to restore the historic warbird to flying status to serve as a flying museum. Over the past 15+ years, hundreds of volunteers have worked on Doc and the restoration project. Skilled workers and retirees from Wichita’s aviation industry, veterans, active duty military and others wanting to honor those who served, have spent tens of thousands of hours on Doc’s restoration. Countless individuals and organizations also made financial and in-kind contributions to keep the project going.
Recently went to the Pima Air and Space Museum and they have a B-29 there, it amazing to see it in person Idk if I’d spend $1500 to ride it, but I’m certainly glad you did it for me lol
As cool as the plane is I could not climb into such a small space. Just watching your video I felt claustrophobic. No loo review. Once in a lifetime dream come true. Thank you for sharing this piece of history.
Excellent video. I had a similar experience, riding in a B-25 Mitchell at Ellington in Houston. Riding in the nose with the pilot and co-pilot sitting behind you is one of the strangest sensations ever...
Awesome, Noel! Timing w/this video is impeccable. (*cough*Masters of the Air*cough*) I sent this to a friend thinking he'd enjoy it, and he shot back a photo of him standing in front of THAT plane. A work of art, and truly an experience indeed. Cheers, mate!
While riding in the nose is certainly the best spot for epic out-the-window visuals, I was more excited about watching all the in "in-cockpit" action between the pilots and the flight engineer. Thus, I chose the Pilot Observer seat, right behind the pilots and facing the flight engineer. From that location you get the entire view of all the action.
I know how you felt as I sat in the nose of a B-17 for the landing after a 30 minute flight! They let us move around to the different positions as we flew though which was nice. No one in the tail though because of the trimming issues it would create. But yes, worth every penny!
I remember back in the 1980s when we had an airfare in my hometown. Somehow the airfare coordinated a simultaneous flyby of a B-17, a B-29 (Back when only FiFi was the only one) and a B-52. I remember the coordination was pretty immense as the B-17 couldn't go fast enough and the B-52 couldn't go slow enough. But they managed to get it all worked out to meet at the center.
Every video of yours always bring back great personal memories. Whether it’s travel, experiences, or just thoughts of my bucket list, you do a great job! This video brings back fond memories of being a co-pilot on a B-17 and B-24.
This is how I felt in 1969 as a young airman in Iceland. As airman-of-the month, I got to ride in an F-102 fighter jet (2-seat trainer version). Besides the fabulous Icelandic scenery from above, I was impressed by how the after-burner-boosted plane fairly leapt off the runway on takeoff.
1500 is cheap for such an amazing experience! Though I'm not sure I would have coped well in the tunnel, just watching you inch along it was making me claustrophobic
Been there. I was at school/college in Pikeville KY back in 2002/03 as a scholarship pupil from Northern Ireland (I was what the US calls a 'returner' in my early Forties). One day the pysch prof turns round and asks me if I want to go to Dayton tomorrow because they had a spare seat on the bus. He'd drop me off with his brother John who was an aviation nut and John would take me up to Wright-Patterson and also to see the Wright Brothers' graves in Dayton Cemetery. Well, we decided that it would be nice to see the Presidential aircraft which were in another hanger but that required the production of identification before you were allowed on the bus to cross the base. That produced my first real do-what!! moment in the US. The queue for the bus was short enough and all papers were being inspected. John went for his identification but before he could hand it over, both he and I were waved straight through!!! The two behind us had to produce!!! It was worth it because I wasn't so much interested in the Presidential aircraft as in the XB-70 and the SR-71 which were stored in the same hanger.
My eyes teared up watching this video. As Americans, most of us anyways, we hold a special place in our heart for our veterans those still here and those that passed. Your obvious profound appreciation of our military and its history is so inspiring. You may not be a citizen of the United States...yet, but I can tell you I would be so proud to call you and your family my fellow Americans. I say this mindful of the fact that you are a proud Briton, and so should you be, but as a dual citizen myself I never found my patriotism to both my countries be diminished in anyway. I miss and am proud of my grandfather who fought in the British Army in Tobruk and Italy and my maternal grandfather who fought and was severely injured as a sgt in the US Army in the Pacific in Leyte Island Philippines R.I.P.
Neither us Brits or you guys would be where we are without the other, our grandparents on both sides of the pond (along with many others) sacrificed so much to get us where we are today. I truly appreciate everyone who’s given up so much for our freedom regardless of which nationality they were.
Great video the B-29 is a awesome aircraft. One small correction the Enola Gay dropped the first atomic bomb over Hiroshima, Bockscar dropped the second over Nagasaki. It was also built for the US Army (the Air Force was founded after WWII). The equipment the bombardier uses was the Norden Bomb sight which was similar to the Manhattan project to develop and was seen as critical to the war effort. It was also a real marvel able to be fairly accurate in the right conditions. If you like military aircraft I would highly recommend the National Museum of the US Air Force it is on Wright-Patterson AFB near Dayton, Ohio and admission is free.
The bombardier 'drops his load' immediately after refusing to do a loo review. Thanks Noel - I missed that first time through. Good job I'd just swallowed my mouthful of tea.
You got to see the Yankee Lady. That flies out of our local airport (Willow Run) and is a piece from the Yankee Air Museum. You really should come and take a look!
Cool. I am from appleton. It’s obvious you were here in the summer, beautiful plane. Oh I miss summer, not so warm now😢. Good thing the groundhog didn’t see his shadow last week.
Oh you lucky lucky boy! ( well...hard work rather than luck.) I didn't realise that there were two airworthy B 29's. I thought that FIFI was the only one in the skies. $1500 very well spent I'd say. The Bombardiers position commands an amazing view, but I'd like to see what the gunners cupola on top is like for panaramic views. And like you said , the fee is going to a superb cause. 'Keep 'em flying!' as the WWII posters said. I love your channel and always look forward to whats coming up next. Thank you old chap for such terrific content. Peace.
@7:33. When the Soviets copied the B-29 into the Tu-4 one of things they did not copy was the fan cage. In fact if there's a cockpit shot of Soviet equipment, and I can't immediately type it, I look for the fans. If they're not caged ... it's Soviet. They didn't man rate their equipment, they manly rated their equipment.
Dude to say that I’m jealous is a MASIVE understatement. I have seen FIFI fly many times at the CAF AIRSHO’s down when they were in Harlingen, Texas and other air shows. One of my favorite WW II plains along with the P-51 Mustang and the F8F Bearcat. I have also seen the Super Guppy flying out of Ellington in Clear Lake a few times. Also, the sound of a big round radial engine starting up is one of my favorite sounds in the world.
That was awesome!! My dad was a waist-gunner on a B-17 and he loved that plane; said it could take a beating and keep on ticking LOL.......then came along the B-29 though he never got to fly on one but did see them. Thought they were gorgeous and they are!
My Grandpa was tool and die and my Grandmother was an inspector on the bombers during WWII for Boeing. I made sure my mom got to watch today's video. We live near Wichita so we've got to see DOC a few times. Proud of my grandparents for their work during those years. He was a barber and she was a hairstylist... until needed for more.
Hey Noel, just found your channel yesterday and i am amazed. You're such a decent, nice guy and it's just wholesome how you interact with others. As a fellow AV geek who isn't able to travel a lot i enjoy travelling with you in your videos. Keep doing what you do. Cheers!
That would have been epic. My great uncle was a tail gunner in Lancaster bombers in WW2. The Lancaster my uncle flew in is on display at the Australian war memorial
Wow! What an awesome experience! I would have loved to do something like that but, as my body is no longer up to ladder climbing, it’s a no go. Your excitement on the flight was infectious - found myself smiling with you! Thank you for sharing experiences like this with all of us. It allows us to experience them too, which means the world to people like me who have disabilities that make doing them ourselves impossible. I can’t wait to see what other adventures you’ve had 🥰.
I often think of old time military people as being, what I call, 'military thin.' My dad was extra skinny while in the reserves...and even just as someone born in the late 30s. Seems like a lot of military men used to be super skinny. (I guess 'fresh military' could be skinny these days, too, after bootcamp and such). Thought of this as you crawled through this machine!
I think it was also due to everyman smoking. The genetics from my slender father, a WWII pilot, did not result in the reed-thin look. I am rather pudgy. He smoked, I didn't.
There's something to this. My dad did smoke and I also recall a lot of photos of skinny military guys somewhere...maybe in a group of men 'at the bottom' if you will. He would not have been a pilot, per se.@@jkoysza1
Scored a ride in the navigators seat on Fifi at JVL in 2021. Volunteered the entire weekend and that was the reward. Would easily pay $1500 for that experience again!
My uncle was an air mechanic in the war in the Pacific. We’d drop him off at CAF in Harlingen & come back to find him covered in grease because he was “helping out.” He loved it!
I went to see doc at the lone star flight museum, I was able to go inside of the plane, and I even saw it fly at the wings over houston airshow. I asked one of the crew members why flying in it was so expensive, and he said it was because of operating costs of the plane, it costs 6000$ to fly it for 1 hour
@@sophiejaysstuff4026 These aircraft were not built to carry paying passengers. The passengers need to know. A special airworthiness certificate in the experimental category is issued to operate an aircraft that does not have a type certificate or does not conform to its type certificate and is in a condition for safe operation.
Thanks Noel. Really puts into context what those men went through, so brave. Fabulous video as always. Buying my ticket for your London presentation this week cheers
I hope those B29’s stay in service for as long as possible. One can imagine hundreds of them taking off at once during WW2, must’ve been a sight (and nervousness) to see them all flying in formation during its time
I cannot believe you cut the takeoff. Why would you do that? we all want to hear the amazing sound of those Wright cyclone engines but no you just had to put in some God awful music 😡
Loved the intro 😁 brilliant. This was a good watch, and have always been captivated by this aircraft also. The fact that it's still flying certainly is a testament to the level of craftmanshop and engineering!
The smile on your face is pure joy. I wish you'd come to the Little Rock Air Force Base Air Show (thunder over the rock). They have e erything from the c5 galaxy (massive plane!) to the C130 (we are the world wide hub for them).
*Back in the day I teetered back and forth with spending the money for a ride on the old **_"Nine-O-Nine"_** B-17. And chose not to fly. They made it back A-OK that day. Respectively, how do you think I feel about that?*
You're too cute Noel ....Your excitement was very real.....You're like a kid in a candy store 😊....Keep up your great work and thank you for bringing me on your travels.....Cheers my friend...😊 xx.
Doc's permanent home is a hangar at Wichita's Eisenhower Regional Airport. When not on tour it as on display at its hanger and is available for tours. It took 10 years to restore by volunteers from Boeing employees and retirees. Doc was built here is Wichita and it was great to watch the progress of the restoration.
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We Wichitans love Doc!
Very cool ride on the B29. When are you going to fly on the B17, Flying Fortress?
But by definition, wouldn't any airport hosting a B-29 automatically become an INTERNATIONAL airport?
Very happy to have been one of the donors to help get Doc airworthy.
$1500 seems like an absolute bargin for an experience like this!!!
Awesome video as always mate.
$1500 is a great deal. I'd pay more than that.
I did B-17 last year for $525/45 min flight
agree
1500 for the flight but the amazing experience, priceless. What a treat, and we get to experience it vicariously through you. You were like a big kid with that massive grin of yours throughout the flight. What a privilege to be on something so historical and fantastic and that they allow the public to experience it. More than worth the price tag in my opinion, especially being up the front. Thank you again for another wonderful video!
And 1500 is not a bad price for a ride in Doc. Especially when you consider the operating costs of a B-29 in the modern day.
The engines alone require an hour of maintenance for every 10 flight hours. Not to mention the fuel, 100/130 avgas that runs double-digits per gallon, very few airports supply it, and aircraft like Doc can slurp gallons on takeoff.
Yeah if they guarantee that front seat view then worth it. If not, too much lol
I got to fly in the B17 "Nine-O-Nines" a few years before she sadly crashed. One of the most amazing experiences in my life. Truly incredible. Great video
Very special video for me Noel as my dad was a B-29 Flight Engineer who flew 38 combat missions out of Tinian in the south Pacific over Japan and came back to tell about it. Dad passed at 95 years old 7 years ago but I have all of his medals and even an original leather flight jacket. We donated many things of his to the New England Air & Space Museum before moving to Florida, but the thing I will remember most is having the opportunity to fly on Fifi with my dad. The things he and the other young men and women endured during WWII are a testament to what has made our country great. Thanks for this Noel very special !
I was in the Army and deployed to Tinian in 93. I bet I walked along the same airstrips your dad took off from.
@@Bellthorian - That is hallowed ground... The US is in the process of "reviving" parts of Tinian, for military use (once again).
Thank you to your Dad and the greatest generation ever who made the USA the greatest and best country in human history. Unfortunately the leftist media and the Democrats have made this no longer true.
That's too cool. Do you know which wing, bomb group, and squadron he was apart of?
Wow! That is such a super-cool story! In the late 70s FIFI was parked at Dee Howard in San Antonio undergoing maintenance. My dad was chief pilot for Dee Howard flying the Howard 500. Dee was also a close friend of his. One afternoon dad took me out to Dee Howard & just he & I walked & crawled around inside the B-29 for a while. When FIFI was ready to leave dad had arranged for me to ride during one of FIFIs post-maintenance flights around San Antonio! It was epic & unforgettable! Dad wasn't crazy about WWII aircraft, _but he knew I was,_ so it was really special he made the effort for me to get to do this.
The R-3350's used in the B-29's were quite temperamental, and almost as many B-29's were lost to accidents as enemy action (usually engine fires). The Commemorative Air Force's contribution to keeping the B-29's flying was obtaining FAA approval for exchanging parts on the engines with parts from 1950's airliners that were powered by later, much more reliable variants of the Wright R-3350. Doc has benefitted from this, as has the CAF's own B-29, FiFi.
I honestly didn't know that, thanks for that tidbit. And I guess it's all relative, I mean ANY large radial is temperamental, right? (especially the 3350s)
@@aircraftadventures-vids The b29's engines were quite a bit worse than others.
Fifi is a reconstructed B29. The B29s were put in a “graveyard” & none were in flying condition, so they scavenged the planes for parts & built her from them. She was the ONLY flying B29 when they made the movie “The Enola Gay.” She was built by & for the CAF in Harlingen, Tx, but that collection was later moved (over huge outcry) somewhere else in Texas. Doc was found in 1987, but Fifi is older. I ❤ Fifi & saw her many times in Harlingen.
Doc is prettier
Fifi's home is Dallas Executive airport now.
Fifi was at Ft worth meacham. But they moved her to Dallas executive
Fifi visited Canada a few years ago
The one at The American Air Museum at Duxford flew there in 1980 from, I think, California, where it was long-term derelict. The Air Force retired the last B-29 in 1961.
Many thanks for the video. My father was a radar bombadier on B29s towards the end of WW2 and then flew 24 missions during Korean War.
I’ve flown on that as a kid! Someone donated a flight to me and it was awesome. Then I joined the Air Force as a Loadmaster years later.
My Dad was a B-29 Flight Engineer and was based on Tinian island during WWII. He had many many stories from the war, but this video really puts you where he was. Thank you !!
OMG, this aircraft has a special place in my heart - my grandfather was one of the first flight instructors on the B-29s during World War II. I got to tour "FIFI," the only other airworthy B-29, at the Salt Lake City airport but I didn't have the wallet for a flight at the time. Thank you for showing us what it would have been like - no AC and all!
I got to visit FiFi. My grandfather flew 14 missions as a gunner. They let me check out everything - but, I was only a couple of weeks out of surgery and was having trouble getting around. But I still got to sit where my grandfather would've sat in his B-29, to include a great picture taken from outside the plane and I'm inside, looking out bubble window for the left gunner holding up a picture of my grandfather. Great video!
When I was a kid, used to build plastic models of these old planes and peek out the windows of the half built fuselage, to imagine how it looked to be on board the real thing.
I was able to take my Grandfather (ex B-17 pilot) on the Yankee lady before he died. It was like 50 years of aging, just melted off the man! It was incredible and soooo worth it!!
The Super Guppy that crossed the path on this flight is in a way the "grand child" of the B-29. The B-29 was developed into a Boeing C-97 Stratofreighter/Boeing 337 Stratocruiser which was the base aircraft in which the Guppies were developed.
And the Super Guppies were critical in the formation of Airbus. They were replaced by the Belugas.
@@erik_griswoldso Boeing kinda helped creating their enemy, like Ferrari and Lamborghini
Amazing!! Those engines - music to my ears
As a 60s born kid, I had Airfix models hanging from my ceiling with catgut.
My Dad used to build them and paint them.
Lancaster, Mosquito, Flying Fortress, Super Fortress, Pam Am Chinook, Mustang & a Spitfire.
As only a few miles from RAF Cosford I’ve seen all but Super Fortress fly over.
Great video 👍🏻
Hey Noel love the videos. Im from the Appleton Area and work at the airport. I had the privilege of fueling the B29 this year. Nice to see you had a good time. Safe flying.
Both Fifi and Doc will be at Appleton in July 2024
The engines on Doc apparently have been swapped out for lower power units with easier replaceable parts according to the crew I met when it visited my local airport. They are not super or turbocharged and are suffient for the low level flight Doc takes to tour the US. I’m sure with the big power engines it originally had takeoff would have been a cinch.
The engines on doc and Fifi are a modified newer more reliable 3350 which actually make more power than the original engines… safety first!!!
@@donmeyer1621 weird. The story I got on the ramp was the original engines in “Doc” according to the guys I talked to on maintenance crew were Pratt and Whit R-4360 (being a late production plane apparently) and made 4300hp. They switched to the A-1 Skyraider engines (3350s) due to parts availability and lack of turbo or superchargers making maintenance intervals and reliability better at a cost of power.
I commented about being able to see the turbine wheels in the exhaust on the engines and was told that was not what I thought it was and got the story about the engine swaps. I asked about the high altitude flight and they said they didn’t need the forced induction engines since they just fly from airport to airport at sub 15k feet and also that they do not pressurize the cabin. I thought it was cool the engines they had in there make that much power without the use of turbo or superchargers.
The R-3350--B29 has an internal supercharger. It does not have the original power recovery turbines (there were 3 on each engine).
I flew in the cockpit in 2020 at Wichita. It was a dream come true. I got great photos. And a bit of video. I used to watch them fly over every day in Idaho, coming out of the Mountain Home Airbase.
Hello Noel, here is one for you, not B29 but B17 related. My Great Grandfather killed by B17 that crash landed near Great Ashfield USAF base in Suffolk in 1944. USAF paid my Great Grandmother a pension from 1944 until 1983. I managed to get a copy of the accident report via a guy that worked on the Saturn rocket from USAF records held in San Francisco, what a story !
RIP
Well done Noel! 1500.00 is a drop in the bucket for those priceless memories! Thanks for taking us along ❤️🙏
Noel: But was it worth it?
Me: Shut up and take my money!
Yes
Yes
yes
Two years ago the B-29 was on tour and came to my local airport, when i found out it was coming i knew i had to fly in it. i worked so hard to try and get $700 to buy a ticket to fly in the back of it. I was 15 years old and did so much yard work and eventually lucked out and found a old avionic at a antique place and bought it for $2 and sold it for $500! that got me to the $700 with 2 weeks left till the B-29 came to my airport. I bought the ticket then waited. The day came and the weather was bad and they cancelled all the B-29 flights… I was super upset and still wanted to fly and they said i could go to Sun N Fun and fly in it if i wanted to. I took that offer and 2-3 weeks later i’m down at Sun N Fun flying in the B-29! That plane is absolutely amazing and was so worth the money and struggles. Getting to look out the tail while flying was like nothing i’ve ever done, Getting to stick my hand out the window at cruising speeds was absolutely amazing. The crew on the bomber were fantastic and wanted everyone to have a amazing experience. Eventually once we landed we could crawl through the tunnel to the cockpit and see everything up there and sit in the pilots seat. Flying in Doc was a amazing experience and i would recommend anyone and everyone to try and fly in it!
That is the best seat in the house for sure. The other one, FiFi is here in Dallas and flies out of Dallas Executive occasionally. My office is under the final and when she flies overhead the entire building shakes and rumbles. I like to pull up foreflight when they're doing maneuvers and run out to catch them passing overhead. Hope I get to fly on one someday
Is the CAF in Dallas now?
@@kbf6434 I've only been here for just over a year but it seems like its been here the entire time I have. I've seen Fifi and a few others on multiple occasions parked outside the hanger there. Addison airport just a bit north also has some cool aircraft in a small museum.
@@kbf6434 Yes
@@conorb7872hey just wondering,I’d FIFI damaged?Because I think I saw a video about how the right gear either almost collapsed or did collapse.Can you please tell me if this is true?thank you
@Over_Aviation i haven't been over there in a while so i can't say, unfortunately. Hopefully she's alright
I'm not even an av geek and I think it was TOTALLY worth it. What a thrill. Well done!
Suggest you try the Lancaster located at the museum in Hamilton, Ontario. It is also one of only two flying in the World. The other is in the UK. Flights are $3500 (Canadian Dollars)
I took a flight on the Lancaster in Hamilton and it was an incredible experience. The noise from those 4 engines when the throttles were advanced to takeoff power was something that I will never forget.
Hear and see it many times during the summer flying over Toronto.
It’s BOMB-BA-DEER on the B29, BOMB-BAR-DEE-EH on the CRJ across the tarmac.
I was able to take a ride during Sea Fair in Seattle years ago. My favorite aviation experience. The B-29 will forever be stamped into history for several reasons including the bomb that helped end WWII
There’s another Lancaster that’s currently being restored in Windsor Ontario, idk if it will why again though
MJ SOKOLIK Getting ready to fly with my brother on B24 Diamond Lil the last one in the air , in August in Lincoln , Nebraska can't wait, it's hard to believe their are so few of these WW2 work horses left. From the person that discovered machines and the ones who restored DOC and FIFI , hats off to them and the crew that flies them. The mechanics and their office staff are so friendly , and helpful. I hope to fly on the B29 sometime in the near future. Most importantly those who served in WW2, these planes are a reminder. Thanks for the nice video.
You flew right over my house! Thanks for taking this journey for us, what an incredible experience. Its always a thrill during EAA to hear the rumbles of those piston engines and see that silver bird flying right overhead!
Did the same in the nose of Fifi a few years back when she came up to Hamilton, Ontario. I've flown in the CWMH's Lancaster as well but B-29 was such a smooth experience. Fantastic aircraft and worth every penny for the experience.
Absolutely worth it Noel. Great report! I took my son to see "Fifi" 20 years ago at the Boise airport. We took the onboard ground tour and were inside when they had to start an engine up for a test run. My 8 year old son's eyes got pretty wide when they started it up. A lot quieter than I expected though. 30 years ago my dad and I went to a ground display of a B-24 and B-17 in Wenatchee, Washington. It was really cool to listen to him talk about both of them as he had been a flight engineer on both in WW2. Also warned me not to stand directly in back of them as they started up as the old radials spit out some oil... he was right!
Noel, thank you so much for this video. Doc and Fifi are such treasures. This is an epic review. You made my year
Glad you enjoyed it!
Few years ago, I was home for the weekend from college and they happened to have a B-25 there giving rides. One of my favorite experiences ever. Really put things into perspective how fortunate we are that I got to do that for fun as a 22 year-old kid, where as 70 years earlier, people my age were in the exact same plane over the Pacific, praying not to get shot down during their mission.
This was simply superb Noel. Really enjoyable video… would love to see you experience more ultra-vintage aircraft! Stay well and keep up the great work.
Now your talking, I love the B-29 and I watched them restore Doc to Airworthiness. It’s a beautiful sight to see and know that there is two airworthy B-29’s flying today.
Wow what an incredible experience !!!!
This is the coolest thing I have watched on utube in a while. I have seen these older planes in museum but I had no idea that there was any that could still fly.
Doc is a B-29 Superfortress and one of 1,644 manufactured in Wichita during World War II. Since 1987 when Tony Mazzolini found Doc on sitting and rotting away in the Mojave Desert, plans have been in the works to restore the historic warbird to flying status to serve as a flying museum. Over the past 15+ years, hundreds of volunteers have worked on Doc and the restoration project. Skilled workers and retirees from Wichita’s aviation industry, veterans, active duty military and others wanting to honor those who served, have spent tens of thousands of hours on Doc’s restoration. Countless individuals and organizations also made financial and in-kind contributions to keep the project going.
A bucket list item if ever there was one. How cool!!!! You are cool, Noel.
Recently went to the Pima Air and Space Museum and they have a B-29 there, it amazing to see it in person
Idk if I’d spend $1500 to ride it, but I’m certainly glad you did it for me lol
As cool as the plane is I could not climb into such a small space. Just watching your video I felt claustrophobic. No loo review. Once in a lifetime dream come true. Thank you for sharing this piece of history.
Excellent video. I had a similar experience, riding in a B-25 Mitchell at Ellington in Houston. Riding in the nose with the pilot and co-pilot sitting behind you is one of the strangest sensations ever...
Awesome, Noel! Timing w/this video is impeccable. (*cough*Masters of the Air*cough*) I sent this to a friend thinking he'd enjoy it, and he shot back a photo of him standing in front of THAT plane. A work of art, and truly an experience indeed. Cheers, mate!
While riding in the nose is certainly the best spot for epic out-the-window visuals, I was more excited about watching all the in "in-cockpit" action between the pilots and the flight engineer. Thus, I chose the Pilot Observer seat, right behind the pilots and facing the flight engineer. From that location you get the entire view of all the action.
Your video gives a new respect for the guys that few in the plane during the war
I know how you felt as I sat in the nose of a B-17 for the landing after a 30 minute flight! They let us move around to the different positions as we flew though which was nice. No one in the tail though because of the trimming issues it would create.
But yes, worth every penny!
I remember back in the 1980s when we had an airfare in my hometown. Somehow the airfare coordinated a simultaneous flyby of a B-17, a B-29 (Back when only FiFi was the only one) and a B-52. I remember the coordination was pretty immense as the B-17 couldn't go fast enough and the B-52 couldn't go slow enough. But they managed to get it all worked out to meet at the center.
Thanks for posting this! My grandfather was a bombardier on a B29 and this was the best walk around and video I’ve seen.
Glad you enjoyed it!
Every video of yours always bring back great personal memories. Whether it’s travel, experiences, or just thoughts of my bucket list, you do a great job! This video brings back fond memories of being a co-pilot on a B-17 and B-24.
Glad you like them!
This is how I felt in 1969 as a young airman in Iceland. As airman-of-the month, I got to ride in an F-102 fighter jet (2-seat trainer version). Besides the fabulous Icelandic scenery from above, I was impressed by how the after-burner-boosted plane fairly leapt off the runway on takeoff.
1500 is cheap for such an amazing experience! Though I'm not sure I would have coped well in the tunnel, just watching you inch along it was making me claustrophobic
Awesome flight - a piece of history - can't imagine the bravery of the folks who flew them over the skies of Germany facing flak and fighters.
B-29s did not see active service in Europe
A few unarmed versions did though appear in the UK as a propegenda tool
@@Trek001 The B17 then :(
I watched Masters Of The Air - harrowing to have flown like a sitting duck.
@@Trek001 you are quite correct, sir
This is your best one yet!!! Way to go Noel !!
You need to visit the USAF museum in Dayton Ohio on the Wright Patterson AFB.
Have Bockcar there.
Been there. I was at school/college in Pikeville KY back in 2002/03 as a scholarship pupil from Northern Ireland (I was what the US calls a 'returner' in my early Forties). One day the pysch prof turns round and asks me if I want to go to Dayton tomorrow because they had a spare seat on the bus. He'd drop me off with his brother John who was an aviation nut and John would take me up to Wright-Patterson and also to see the Wright Brothers' graves in Dayton Cemetery. Well, we decided that it would be nice to see the Presidential aircraft which were in another hanger but that required the production of identification before you were allowed on the bus to cross the base. That produced my first real do-what!! moment in the US. The queue for the bus was short enough and all papers were being inspected. John went for his identification but before he could hand it over, both he and I were waved straight through!!! The two behind us had to produce!!! It was worth it because I wasn't so much interested in the Presidential aircraft as in the XB-70 and the SR-71 which were stored in the same hanger.
I saw her on her first tour post restoration at Oshkosh! Also love the B-17 in the background
"a little airshow thing at oshkosh" 😂
I used to volunteer with Doc, glad you were able to fly on it! Love your videos as always.
Well, I'm jealous. To be able to have a ride in a piece of aviation history is a once in a lifetime event. Hope you had fun.
My eyes teared up watching this video. As Americans, most of us anyways, we hold a special place in our heart for our veterans those still here and those that passed. Your obvious profound appreciation of our military and its history is so inspiring. You may not be a citizen of the United States...yet, but I can tell you I would be so proud to call you and your family my fellow Americans. I say this mindful of the fact that you are a proud Briton, and so should you be, but as a dual citizen myself I never found my patriotism to both my countries be diminished in anyway. I miss and am proud of my grandfather who fought in the British Army in Tobruk and Italy and my maternal grandfather who fought and was severely injured as a sgt in the US Army in the Pacific in Leyte Island Philippines R.I.P.
Neither us Brits or you guys would be where we are without the other, our grandparents on both sides of the pond (along with many others) sacrificed so much to get us where we are today. I truly appreciate everyone who’s given up so much for our freedom regardless of which nationality they were.
Great video the B-29 is a awesome aircraft.
One small correction the Enola Gay dropped the first atomic bomb over Hiroshima, Bockscar dropped the second over Nagasaki. It was also built for the US Army (the Air Force was founded after WWII).
The equipment the bombardier uses was the Norden Bomb sight which was similar to the Manhattan project to develop and was seen as critical to the war effort. It was also a real marvel able to be fairly accurate in the right conditions.
If you like military aircraft I would highly recommend the National Museum of the US Air Force it is on Wright-Patterson AFB near Dayton, Ohio and admission is free.
The bombardier 'drops his load' immediately after refusing to do a loo review. Thanks Noel - I missed that first time through. Good job I'd just swallowed my mouthful of tea.
You got to see the Yankee Lady. That flies out of our local airport (Willow Run) and is a piece from the Yankee Air Museum. You really should come and take a look!
I second this, I love having the Yankee Lady in my Backyard
@@chaseb4988 x3. I live west of A2 and enjoy the flyovers during warmer weather.
Cool. I am from appleton. It’s obvious you were here in the summer, beautiful plane. Oh I miss summer, not so warm now😢. Good thing the groundhog didn’t see his shadow last week.
What an amazing plane! Thank you for this video Noel!! Greetings from the Netherlands!!
Glad you enjoyed it!
What a view! Beautiful aircraft, up there with the de Havilland mosquito...
At Old Rhinebeck Aerodrome they do WWI era air shows and you can ride in a 1929 biplane! I’ve done it, awesome experience!
Oh you lucky lucky boy! ( well...hard work rather than luck.) I didn't realise that there were two airworthy B 29's. I thought that FIFI was the only one in the skies. $1500 very well spent I'd say. The Bombardiers position commands an amazing view, but I'd like to see what the gunners cupola on top is like for panaramic views. And like you said , the fee is going to a superb cause. 'Keep 'em flying!' as the WWII posters said.
I love your channel and always look forward to whats coming up next. Thank you old chap for such terrific content. Peace.
@7:33. When the Soviets copied the B-29 into the Tu-4 one of things they did not copy was the fan cage. In fact if there's a cockpit shot of Soviet equipment, and I can't immediately type it, I look for the fans. If they're not caged ... it's Soviet. They didn't man rate their equipment, they manly rated their equipment.
Dude to say that I’m jealous is a MASIVE understatement. I have seen FIFI fly many times at the CAF AIRSHO’s down when they were in Harlingen, Texas and other air shows. One of my favorite WW II plains along with the P-51 Mustang and the F8F Bearcat. I have also seen the Super Guppy flying out of Ellington in Clear Lake a few times.
Also, the sound of a big round radial engine starting up is one of my favorite sounds in the world.
I've never seen a grown man look so excited and happy....😂
Well......
Flew in a Spitfire last year from North Weald in Essex. Stunning.
"... pretend to be a fighter pilot"
Honey, thats a bomber
Beat me to it
That’s the magic of pretending.
Bless your heart Honey Trek.
That was awesome!! My dad was a waist-gunner on a B-17 and he loved that plane; said it could take a beating and keep on ticking LOL.......then came along the B-29 though he never got to fly on one but did see them. Thought they were gorgeous and they are!
Fantastic. Well done Noel 😊
Glad you enjoyed it
Top channel top man.
My Grandpa was tool and die and my Grandmother was an inspector on the bombers during WWII for Boeing. I made sure my mom got to watch today's video. We live near Wichita so we've got to see DOC a few times. Proud of my grandparents for their work during those years. He was a barber and she was a hairstylist... until needed for more.
Imagine being in that thing when a flak shell rips the entire back half off. Props to whoever flew these.
Everything considered, $1500 dollars is SO cheap as chips, absolutely, money well spent. Mate, your presentation was fabulous!.
Imagine rushing through that tunnel during combat. Just wow!
Hey Noel,
just found your channel yesterday and i am amazed. You're such a decent, nice guy and it's just wholesome how you interact with others. As a fellow AV geek who isn't able to travel a lot i enjoy travelling with you in your videos. Keep doing what you do. Cheers!
Thank you & Welcome.
"Oshkosh, small air show". You're joking. Busiest airport in the world that week.
Looking so nice with a very vintage aircraft!!!😊😊
I can't think of a better way to spend $1500
I am 9 years old I went on the b-29 doc in Pennsylvania it’s super cool
That would have been epic. My great uncle was a tail gunner in Lancaster bombers in WW2. The Lancaster my uncle flew in is on display at the Australian war memorial
Wow! What an awesome experience! I would have loved to do something like that but, as my body is no longer up to ladder climbing, it’s a no go. Your excitement on the flight was infectious - found myself smiling with you! Thank you for sharing experiences like this with all of us. It allows us to experience them too, which means the world to people like me who have disabilities that make doing them ourselves impossible. I can’t wait to see what other adventures you’ve had 🥰.
I often think of old time military people as being, what I call, 'military thin.' My dad was extra skinny while in the reserves...and even just as someone born in the late 30s. Seems like a lot of military men used to be super skinny. (I guess 'fresh military' could be skinny these days, too, after bootcamp and such). Thought of this as you crawled through this machine!
I think it was also due to everyman smoking. The genetics from my slender father, a WWII pilot, did not result in the reed-thin look. I am rather pudgy. He smoked, I didn't.
There's something to this. My dad did smoke and I also recall a lot of photos of skinny military guys somewhere...maybe in a group of men 'at the bottom' if you will. He would not have been a pilot, per se.@@jkoysza1
Scored a ride in the navigators seat on Fifi at JVL in 2021. Volunteered the entire weekend and that was the reward. Would easily pay $1500 for that experience again!
The Commemorative Air Force is a fantastic organization. What an experience.
My uncle was an air mechanic in the war in the Pacific. We’d drop him off at CAF in Harlingen & come back to find him covered in grease because he was “helping out.” He loved it!
I went to see doc at the lone star flight museum, I was able to go inside of the plane, and I even saw it fly at the wings over houston airshow. I asked one of the crew members why flying in it was so expensive, and he said it was because of operating costs of the plane, it costs 6000$ to fly it for 1 hour
I like all the notices on the aircraft that says 'Experimental'
Just FAA B.S.
@@sophiejaysstuff4026 These aircraft were not built to carry paying passengers. The passengers need to know. A special airworthiness certificate in the experimental category is issued to operate an aircraft that does not have a type certificate or does not conform to its type certificate and is in a condition for safe operation.
@@kenpierce9466 "The passengers need to know". The plane is not airworthy?
Thanks Noel. Really puts into context what those men went through, so brave. Fabulous video as always. Buying my ticket for your London presentation this week cheers
A little tiny air show. Oshcosh. 🤪
I hope those B29’s stay in service for as long as possible. One can imagine hundreds of them taking off at once during WW2, must’ve been a sight (and nervousness) to see them all flying in formation during its time
"There is a little tiny airshow thing at Oshkosh." Buddy Oshkosh is the biggest airshow on earth lol 😆
Oh Noel I’m so happy for you! You looked so excited. Thanks for taking us with you.
I cannot believe you cut the takeoff. Why would you do that? we all want to hear the amazing sound of those Wright cyclone engines but no you just had to put in some God awful music 😡
Loved the intro 😁 brilliant. This was a good watch, and have always been captivated by this aircraft also. The fact that it's still flying certainly is a testament to the level of craftmanshop and engineering!
Glad you enjoyed it!
The smile on your face is pure joy. I wish you'd come to the Little Rock Air Force Base Air Show (thunder over the rock). They have e erything from the c5 galaxy (massive plane!) to the C130 (we are the world wide hub for them).
*Back in the day I teetered back and forth with spending the money for a ride on the old **_"Nine-O-Nine"_** B-17. And chose not to fly. They made it back A-OK that day. Respectively, how do you think I feel about that?*
You're too cute Noel ....Your excitement was very real.....You're like a kid in a candy store 😊....Keep up your great work and thank you for bringing me on your travels.....Cheers my friend...😊 xx.
Thank you 🤗