B-29 Doc

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For many years, the Commemorative Air Force's B-29A, Fifi, was the only flight worthy B-29 in existence. However, in 2016, she was joined by Doc, a TB-29, flying out of Wichita, Kansas, where she was originally built, along with over 1600 other B-29's. She was built as a B-29A, but was converted to a TB-29 in the 1950's, in which capacity she served as a radar calibration aircraft and target tug. As part of her conversion, most of her defensive armarment was removed, retaining only the two tail .50 cal machine guns. After retirement from service, she was sent to the Navy's China Lake target range to serve as a target, where she, along with Fifi, sat until 1987, when she was rescued from the target range.

In May 2022, Doc visited the Museum of Flight here in Seattle, and I took the opportunity to go see her as well.

Doc
The name Doc was chosen during her restoration because the squadron she was part of in military service was known as the Seven Dwarfs.

Doc Bombadier Window
Like her predecessor, the B-17, the B-29 was equipped with the Norden Bombsight.

Doc Propller
The early XB-29's were equipped with three bladed propellers, but production models were all equipped with four bladed propellers.

Doc Cockpit
While her predecessor, the B-17, had a seperate cockpit from the bombardier compartment, the B-29 pilot, copilot, and flight engineer positions are just behind the bombardier position, who also doubled as the nose gunner.

Doc Vertical Stabilizer
Finally, her vertical stabilizer. During the post war period, an upgraded version of the B-29 with upgraded engines, the B-50, would receive a taller vertical stabilizer for increased lateral stability.

All photos taken with the Bronica ETRS, using either the 50mm or 150mm lenses on Ilford Delta 400. Thanks for looking, feel free to comment, and stay tuned for more!

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