Wichita, KS (October 15, 2015)--The Wichita Aero Club announced today that the volunteers and members of Doc’s Friends, the organization restoring a Wichita-built B-29 to flying condition, have been selected to receive the fifth Wichita Aero Club Trophy, presented annually to a living person, group, or existing organization with a strong relationship to the greater Wichita area, who have distinguished him, her or themselves in the field of aviation or aerospace within the most recent calendar year or during a cumulative career of significant achievements and contributions. The presentation will take place on Saturday evening, January 23, 2016 at the Aero Club’s annual Trophy Gala at the Doubletree by Hilton at Dwight D. Eisenhower National Airport.
“We like to think that being selected to receive the Wichita Aero Club Trophy is a major highlight for its recipients,” explained Wichita Aero Club Selection Committee Chairperson Ashley Bowen Cook, “but we have a feeling that it may actually rank behind seeing Doc fly again for the first time in more than fifty years as their most cherished moment to Doc’s Restoration Team--when that great event actually takes place. And, we know it’s imminent! For all of us who have supported the efforts of Doc’s Friends, that will be a memorable and extraordinary accomplishment. It’s also one of the key reasons the Selection Committee felt that this year is the most appropriate time to recognize and salute all of the people who have so generously committed their time, skill, energy and resources to this effort. Over a period of 18 years, often doing tedious, repetitive tasks in difficult conditions and without compensation, simply out of a sense of pride, love for their country and for each other, they have transformed what started out as a 65-year old pile of parts rescued from a desert bombing range into a beautiful and impressive tribute. We salute all of the volunteers who have contributed to making Doc into what will be one of only two flyable B-29s in the world.”
The citation which accompanied the nomination of Doc’s Friends Restoration Team reads:
For maintaining a vision and dedication and providing the extraordinarily selfless effort to return the historic B-29 known as DOC to flyable condition as a tribute to the thousands of men and women who built, maintained, flew and sacrificed to produce thousands of airplanes for the defense and freedom of our country and way of life, the Wichita Aero Club Trophy is presented to the entire DOC Restoration team.
“There’s nothing like seeing, first hand, a Wichita-built World War II vintage Boeing B-29 to make you realize what extraordinary accomplishments the design, development and mass production of these extremely complex and capable aircraft were. Seeing Doc also allows this community to experience history up close and honor those who helped build it and helped make Wichita the Air Capital,” said Tom Bertels, a Board Member of both Doc’s Friends and the Wichita Aero Club.
In an effort to raise those funds, Doc’s Friends also launched a Kickstarter crowdfunding campaign at the beginning of October. It still has 15 days to reach the stated goal of $137,500. Currently, pledges stand at slightly more than $52,000. Costs associated with this amount include fuel, maintenance, insurance and others.
Bertels says that the Kickstarter campaign needs additional “passionate and generous supporters” to join with those who have already given and the many volunteers who have accomplished what many said couldn’t be done. “Beginning today, there’s still 15 more days for everyone else to step up and be a part of history.”
In a show of support, Apollo 13 crewmembers Jim Lovell and Fred Haise, as well as former SR-71 pilot Buz Carpenter have offered their thoughts on the importance on restoring and preserving history such as Doc. Their comments were captured on camera and are viewable on the Kickstarter page.
Since Tony Mazzolini rescued Doc from the Mojave Desert in 1987, the restoration has been a universal effort. More than 300,000 volunteer hours have been devoted, and thousands of aircraft parts donated and refurbished in-kind.
Kickstarter has an all or nothing rule, where the project can only collect funds if the stated goal has been reached by the set deadline. “Every single pledge will make a difference, whether it’s $10, $25 or $1,000. It’s simple to become one of Doc’s Friends,” said Bertels.
“We’re also very pleased to be teaming with Doc’s Friends to contribute to the Kickstarter campaign,” said Dave Franson, Wichita Aero Club President. “We are donating a percentage of our luncheon proceeds to the cause, as well.”
About Doc
Doc’s story began in March of 1945 at the Boeing plant in Wichita, Kansas. Originally built by the Boeing Company in 1945, the B-29-20-BW, or B-29 Superfortress, was a one-of-a-kind airplane. The B-29 was designed and built by Boeing in Wichita and flown primarily by the U.S. Air Force at the end of World War II and then during the Korean War.
In 1987, after sitting more than 40 years in the Mojave Desert where it was a sun baked sanctuary for birds and many other desert creatures, Doc was rescued by a group of historians with a dream. The group, led by Tony Mazzolini and backed by the United States Aviation Museum, had a plan to restore the B-29 and eventually get it back into the air. In May of 2000, Doc was transported from California to Wichita.
In early 2013, a group of business leaders from Wichita, KS founded Doc’s Friends with a vision to see the historic Boeing B-29 Superfortress known as Doc restored to flying condition. The new non-profit group has taken ownership of the airplane and will lead the effort to refurbish the vintage airplane. It is believed that Doc is the last known Boeing B-29 Superfortress that is in restorable condition.
Doc's Friends Board Members include Jeff Turner, Chairman; Lynn Nichols, Treasurer; Jeff Peier, Legal Counsel; Tom Bertels, Marketing Steering Committee Chair; Tim Buchanan; Charlie Chandler; Steve Clark; Brad Gorsuch; Jack Pelton; and Ron Ryan.
In February of 2013, the airplane was moved from a storage hangar to active hangar space donated by Boeing, which has allowed volunteers to resume work to restore the aircraft. More information on Doc and Doc’’s Friends can be obtained by visiting the website at www.b-29doc.com.
