B-29 DOC will host the Commemorative Air Force (CAF) B-17 Sentimental Journey and B-25 Maid in the Shade at the B-29 DOC Hangar, Education and Visitors Center, August 5-9. All three iconic World War II-era bombers will be available for ground and cockpit tours, as well as warbird ride flight experiences during the five-day event in Wichita.
DOC is one of 1,644 Boeing B-29 Superfortress bombers built in Wichita, Kansas, during World War II—and today, it is one of only two still airworthy and flying. Sentimental Journey is a B-17G model, was built in December of 1944 at the Douglas plant in Long Beach, CA, and one of only three B-17 bombers of the 12,731 built that is actively flying today. B-25 Maid in the Shade was built in June 1944 at the North American plant in Kansas City, MO, and served during World War II with the 319th Bomb Group, 437th Squadron based in France, and flew 15 combat missions, one of the few bombers still flying that served in combat.
“These three warbirds tell a powerful story of World War II, highlighting America’s airpower across both the European and Pacific theaters,” said Josh Wells, chief executive officer of B-29 DOC. “Seeing these historic aircraft together brings history to life and offers a rare opportunity for people to experience World War II up close.”
The three bombers will arrive in Wichita on Monday, August 3, and will be available for public tours throughout the week when the airplanes are not flying…