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07-17-2016, 04:33 AM
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#1
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Montana Master
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: Haysville
Posts: 4,261
M.O.C. #3085
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A bit of history was made in Wichita this morning
16 years ago a B-29 was shipped in from the desert to the Boeing facility in Wichita, Kansas. It came in on several semis and trucks in hundreds of pieces. After countless manhours of original WWII aircraft assembly workers and younger aircraft enthusiast it flew for the first time this morning about 8:45AM. Some of the older workers have passed since the project started in 2000. I was at work with a birds eye view standing on a roof of one of the taller buldings right across from the runway, and took in the historic moment. An engine light came on shortly after takeoff so the first flight had to be shortened, but it was still an awesome sight along with the sound of the ole radial engines droning away.
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07-17-2016, 04:43 AM
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#2
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Montana Master
Join Date: Oct 2004
Location: Salem
Posts: 7,550
M.O.C. #2283
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We need to preserve our history. I live in a railroad town. We have a 911 passenger engine here that was built here that we are very proud of.
Lynwood
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07-17-2016, 05:14 AM
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#3
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Site Team
Join Date: Jun 2011
Location: Wilsey
Posts: 18,799
M.O.C. #11455
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That's really cool! I remember when the project started, but in our part of the state we hadn't heard a thing since.
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Dick, Joyce, Diego, Picatso and Gustav
2017 3720 RL, and 2013 HC 343RL
Pullrite Hitch, IS, Disk Brakes, 3rd AC, Winegard Traveler, Bathroom door mod, Dometic 320, couch for desk swap, replaced chairs, sun screens, added awnings, etc.
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07-17-2016, 07:21 AM
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#4
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Montana Fan
Join Date: Oct 2015
Location: Clermont
Posts: 289
M.O.C. #17920
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I love this! Thank you for sharing the moment! These flying machines that made monumental history, as well as their airmen, have rapidly faded and I'm thankful for those willing and able to preserve these birds.
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07-17-2016, 08:03 AM
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#5
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Montana Master
Join Date: Sep 2013
Location: Pensacola (mail forward service)
Posts: 3,198
M.O.C. #13740
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Lots of cool planes at ellsworth air museum should anyone make it to the rapid city south dakota area. Wright patterson air museum in dayton ohio another good one to visit. John
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2012 F350 6.7 L dually, 2013 3800RE with 6 pt leveling, Sumitomo 17.5" load range h tires, Samsung 18 cu ft residential fridge, 8k Morryde I.S. with disc brakes. Full timing since 2012.
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07-17-2016, 12:34 PM
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#6
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Montana Master
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: Kville
Posts: 2,865
M.O.C. #7871
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Those round engines have their own sound.
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07-17-2016, 03:26 PM
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#7
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Established Member
Join Date: Jul 2016
Location: Owasso
Posts: 21
M.O.C. #18767
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I'd been following this off and on the past decade or so. Now "Fifi" has some company. What did they name her?
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07-17-2016, 05:08 PM
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#8
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Montana Master
Join Date: Aug 2004
Location: Livermore
Posts: 5,146
M.O.C. #1920
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Something they can be very proud of in Kansas.
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Ron and Terrie Ames - MOC #1920/KF0NTA
2021Montana 3230CK Super Solar Legacy Package
2021 Ram 3500 Laramie Longhorn, BIM Charging
4x4, SRW, LB, Crew Cab, Pullrite 3900 Hitch
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07-17-2016, 05:35 PM
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#9
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Montana Master
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: Haysville
Posts: 4,261
M.O.C. #3085
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A little under 4000 of the B29's were built with a few over 1600 right here in Wichita. The early models were powered by Wright Cyclone radials which had overheating problems as well as a fire issue with the magnesium engine blocks creating extreme heat when caught on fire. The later models had Pratt and Whitney Wasp radials that proved more reliable and more powerful. The turret guns were actually computer controlled back in 45. Optical sights fed info to computers that aimed the guns. Pretty awesome for their time. What really stood out to me was there were several men and women that actually were on the production lines back during the war that came forward and volunteered their time as best they could to help rebuild the plane. Some didn't make it to see her fly ... a handful were on hand this morning to watch her lift off for the first time in 60 years. They named her "Doc" as she was part of a squadron known as the Seven Dwarfs. Doc is one of only two flying B29's left ... the other is Fifi and travels the airshow circuits.
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07-18-2016, 05:27 AM
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#10
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Montana Fan
Join Date: Jun 2012
Location: Grand Ledge
Posts: 417
M.O.C. #12618
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Wow, now the wheels are turning here. there is another very nice museum in Mobile, AL. Its been quite a few years since I was there, but I believe it is part of the USS Alabama Ship museum site. If your in the area and into that sort of sight seeing am sure you'd enjoy it. Happy Trails, Steve and Susie
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07-18-2016, 06:33 AM
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#11
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Montana Master
Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: McKinney
Posts: 7,167
M.O.C. #6433
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Love those old planes. The Commemorative Air Force (formerly Confederate Air Force) makes periodic visits for shows in this area and sometimes to our local small air port. And since we are only about 4 miles from the air port and in a rural area, they circle around right over our house during demo flights. You can hear them coming well before you see them. Great stuff.
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Bill & Patricia
Riley, our Golden
2007 3075RL (recently sold, currently without)
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07-19-2016, 05:48 PM
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#12
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Montana Fan
Join Date: May 2012
Location: Denton
Posts: 289
M.O.C. #12532
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Saw the video of this flight today......very cool!
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