P-51 Mustang Gunfighter to join the B-29 DOC History Restored Tour
P-51 Mustang Gunfighter will join the B-29 DOC History Restored Tour at select tour stops in May and June across Delaware, New Jersey, New York, Ohio and Kansas.
Gunfighter is a North American P-51 D Model Mustang built the same year as DOC in 1945 before it was assigned to the “Mighty Eighth” Air Force in England at the end of the war.
“The shared legacies of the B-29 Superfortress and P-51 Mustang showcase two great stories of America’s superior air power during World War II,” said Josh Wells, B-29 DOC executive director. “Adding P-51 Gunfighter to the B-29 DOC History Restored Tour broadens our reach and allows us to further tell the story of the men and women who designed, built and flew these airplanes to protect freedom around the world. These two historic warbirds on tour together provide a unique opportunity for people to climb inside history and get up-close and personal with living artifacts that honor the legacy of the Greatest Generation.”
DOC, one of only two remaining airworthy B-29 Superfortresses in the world, is one of 1,644 B-29 bombers built by the Boeing Company in Wichita, KS, during World War II. The arrival of the P-51 Mustang towards the end of World War II as an escort for both B-17 and B-29 bombers allowed for more fighter protection for Allied bombing squadrons.
“Gunfighter’s mission has always been to educate, honor and inspire, and teaming up with DOC allows us to bring that mission to life in an impactful way,” said Jeff Linebaugh, P-51 Gunfighter pilot and operations officer. “Giving people the chance to fly in these historic aircraft isn’t just thrilling, it’s meaningful. It’s the kind of experience that stays with you long after the engine shuts down.”
Gunfighter will join the B-29 DOC History Restored Tour at the following locations (more joint tour stops to be announced soon):
- May 13-14 at Wilmington/New Castle, DE: (P-51 flight experience rides available)
- May 16-18 at Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst: Power in the Pines Air Show (static display only)
- May 21-26 at Farmingdale, NY: American Airpower Museum (P-51 flight experience rides available)
- June 27-29 at Wichita, KS: B-29 DOC Ride Flight Weekend (P-51 flight experience rides available)
Tickets for both B-29 DOC and P-51 Gunfighter Flight Experience rides are on sale now at www.b29doc.com and www.p51gunfighter.com. Information about the individual events, including opportunities for ground and cockpit tours at events when the aircraft are not flying, can be found at www.b29doc.com/events. Additional joint tour stops with DOC and P-51 Gunfighter will be announced soon.
About Doc’s Friends and B-29 Doc
Doc’s Friends, Inc., is a 501c3 non-profit board managing the operation of the Boeing B-29 Superfortress known as Doc. Doc is a B-29 Superfortress and one of 1,644 manufactured in Wichita during World War II. It is one of only two remaining B-29s that are airworthy and flying today. The mission of Doc’s Friends is to HONOR the men and women who sacrificed so much for the freedom of others, including those who designed, built, maintained and flew the B-29 during and after WWII. CONNECT people with the rich heritage of the B-29 and allow aviation enthusiasts to experience the thrill of a B-29 up close. EDUCATE today’s and future generations on the contributions of the Greatest Generation during wartime.
About the B-29 Doc History Restored Tour and B-29 Doc Flight Experience
Each year, B-29 Doc travels to cities across the United States to allow aviation enthusiasts a chance to B-29 Doc up close and personal. Doc’s annual tour mission includes an average of 100 flight hours, beginning in early April and spanning through the summer until late October. Tour stops include ground and flight deck tours and B-29 Doc Flight Experiences. The B-29 Doc Flight Experience will last approximately 90 minutes and include a 30-minute ride. Before takeoff, passengers will experience a crew briefing and learn more about the history of the B-29 and the role it played in U.S. history. Passengers will also hear and see the sights and sounds of engine starts and run-ups before takeoff.
About P-51 Gunfighter
Gunfighter is one of the world’s most famous P-51 Mustangs. The aircraft has been offering ride flights and thrilling crowds at air shows for more than 40 years. Its mission is to honor the sacrifices of those who have served and inspire the next generation of aviators. The aircraft is a P-51 D Model Mustang, serial number 44-73264. Of the approximately 15,000 P-51s produced during WWII, less than 150 airworthy examples exist worldwide in museums, flying or under restoration. Gunfighter is owned and operated by the Commemorative Air Force (CAF). The CAF is the largest operator of historic aircraft in the world with over 175 aircraft and 13,000 members. For more information, visit www.p51gunfighter.com or follow us on social media.