17-04-2025
History Overhead: B-29 Superfortress ‘Doc' lands in Abilene
ABILENE, Texas () – A B-29 Superfortress nicknamed 'Doc' landed safely at Abilene Regional Airport earlier today, soon to perform at the Dyess Wings over West Texas Airshow this Easter Weekend. KTAB/KRBC caught up with Chief Pilot Mark Novak for a look inside the historic aircraft and into its decades-long journey from the assembly line to today.
'There were just under 4,000 B-29s built during WWII… This is a Wichita-built bird… It came too late to go over to the war. Became part of a radar calibration squadron,' Novak explained.
GALLERY: WWII era aircrafts stop by Abilene Regional Airport
Constructed in Wichita, Kansas, in 1945, Doc served in many non-active combat roles for the U.S. Air Force and eventually ended up as a practice target for the U.S. Navy in the Mojave Desert in 1956.
'Our group got control of it in the year 2000. Broke it into seven big pieces, trucked it to Wichita,' said Novak.
SCHEDULE OF EVENTS: Who's performing at the Wings Over West Texas airshow?
After more than a decade of restoration, Doc returned to the skies in 2016, now touring the country to educate the public and perform at air shows with the non-profit 'Doc's Friends'.
Doc will be overhead for the Dyess Air Force Base Air Show on Saturday, April 19, and Sunday, April 20. Novak shared that private flight opportunities are now available for purchase on the Doc's Friends website. Local availabilities are scheduled for Thursday, April 17, and Monday, April 21. Proceeds from private flights support the maintenance and operation of the plane and the non-profit organization that owns it.
Reporter Noah McKinney will have the full story with Novak tonight at 10 on KTAB and KRBC news.
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