B-29 DOC and P-51 Gunfighter to visit Panama City, Florida: Oct. 23-26
The B-29 DOC History Restored Tour is set to land at Northwest Florida Beaches International Airport (ECP) in Panama City, bringing a rare and unforgettable aviation experience to the Gulf Coast, Oct. 23-26.
Purchase B-29 DOC RidesPurchase P-51 Gunfighter Rides
B-29 DOC and P-51 Mustang Gunfighter are two of the most iconic World War II-era aircraft. Both historic warbirds will be available for public access and ride flights during the four-day tour stop event. The B-29 Doc History Restored Tour is a nationwide mission to honor the men and women who built, maintained, and flew these historic aircraft, as well as to educate future generations about the heroes of the Greatest Generation.
Photo by Brett Schauf
“B-29 DOC represents more than just a piece of aviation history — it’s a flying tribute to the men and women who built, maintained, and flew these incredible machines during World War II,” said Steve Zimmerman, B-29 DOC aircraft commander. “Bringing DOC and Gunfighter to Panama City allows us to share that legacy, inspire future generations, and remind our communities of the courage and sacrifice that defined the Greatest Generation.”
The public access event will begin on Thursday, October 23, with ramp access for cockpit tours of the B-29 DOC and ground tours of the P-51 Gunfighter. Ride flights will be available on both warbirds beginning on Friday, Oct. 24, for Gunfighter and on Saturday, Oct. 25, for DOC. Admission for ramp access will be $10 per person and $20 per family. Tickets can be purchased at the gate on the day of the event. Ride flight tickets are on sale now at www.b29doc.com/rides and at www.p51gunfighter.com.
“Our mission in operating these historic aircraft is to keep this vital part of aviation and military history alive,” said Jeff Linebaugh, P-51 Gunfighter pilot and ride coordinator. “When visitors climb into the cockpit of DOC or see Gunfighter take flight, they’re not just watching airplanes — they’re experiencing living history and honoring the heroes who made freedom possible.”
“We’re excited that the community has an opportunity to see and experience the Vintage Aircraft from WWII and we encourage everyone to enjoy the history of aviation,” stated Parker McClellan, executive director of Northwest Florida Beaches International Airport.
B-29 DOC is one of only two B-29 Superfortress bombers that remain airworthy today out of the nearly 4,000 B-29s built by Boeing during World War II, and one of 1,644 B-29s built by Boeing in Wichita, KS. P-51 Gunfighter was built at North American’s Inglewood, California, facility and was accepted into the USAAF in March 1945. That month, it was shipped to England, where it was assigned to the famous “Mighty Eighth” Air Force.
EVENT DETAILS FOR PANAMA CITY, FL: Northwest Florida Beaches International Airport at SheltAir
Public access to this event will be available through SheltAir – ECP, located at 5325 Johnny Reaver Road, Panama City Beach, FL 32409. Ramp access for the public will be available Thursday and Friday, Oct. 23 and 24, from 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. both days (last tour ticket sold at 3 p.m.), and on Saturday and Sunday, Oct. 25 and 26, from 12 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. (last tour ticket sold at 3:30 p.m.). Admission will be $10 per person and $20 per family. Ramp tickets for ground and cockpit tours will be available at the gate on the event days.
P-51 Gunfighter ride flights will be available Friday through Sunday, Oct. 24-26, beginning at 9 a.m. all three days. Tickets are on sale now at www.b29doc.com/gunfighter. B-29 DOC Flight Experience rides will be available Saturday and Sunday, Oct. 25 and 26, at 9 a.m. and 10:30 a.m. both days. Tickets are on sale now at www.b29doc.com/rides
Photo by Brett Schauf