B-29 Doc and B-25 Berlin Express to host joint tour stop in Kansas City metro area
The B-29 Doc History Restored Tour will land at New Century Airport and in Gardner, KS, June 14-16.
The tour stop will include B-29 Doc, one of 1,644 B-29 Superfortress aircraft built by the Boeing Company in Wichita, KS, during World War II and one of only two still flying today, and B-25 Berlin Express, a B-25 Mitchell, which spent time twice during the war at the North American Aviation B-25 Fairfax factory in Kansas City, KS.
The tour stop hosted by the Commemorative Air Force Heart of America Wing will include flight experience rides on B-25 Berlin Express and B-29 Doc, along with ground and cockpit tours of both aircraft when they are not flying.
“The North American Aviation Fairfax factory built B25-D model aircraft and was the foundation of Kansas City’s contribution to the fight during World War II,” said Jeff Toline, EAA’s director of aircraft operations. “While B-25 Berlin Express was built in California as an “H” model, it came to the Fairfax factory twice in 1944 for modifications during its wartime service. This tour stop will give descendants of those B-25 factory workers a unique opportunity to see what their family members built and worked on to support the war effort.”
Ride flight tickets for both historic aircraft are on sale now; B-25 Berlin Express via www.flythe25.org and B-29 Doc via www.b29doc.com/rides.
“The combined missions of B-29 Doc, the EAA and the CAF are to ensure the legacies of those who designed, built, flew, and maintained these historic warbirds live on for generations to come,” said Josh Wells, B-29 Doc executive director. “When we can partner with these world-class organizations who all share the same mission, we’re able to provide up-close and personal access to living history. We are looking forward to spending the weekend in Olathe honoring the Greatest Generation.”
Event Details for the B-29 Doc History Restored Tour in New Century/Olathe, KS
B-29 Doc and B-25 Berlin Express will arrive at New Century Airport and the CAF Heart of America Hangar on Thursday, June 14. Ground and flight deck tours will be available Friday, June 14, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., as well as Saturday and Sunday, June 15 and 16, when the aircraft are not flying ride flights. Ride flight tickets are one sale now; for B-29 Doc via www.b29doc.com/rides and for B-25 Berlin Express via www.flytheb25.org. Admission for ground and cockpit tours will be $10 per person or $20 per family. Tickets for ground tours will be available at the gate. The public entrance for the event will be at 6 Aero Plaza, New Century, KS, 66031.