Two iconic warbirds connecting in Kansas to showcase World War II history

Two historic, World War II-era warbirds and legends will partner at the Great Bend AirFest in September. B-29 Doc and the North American P-51 Mustang known as “Gunfighter” will join forces September 19 through 22 for ride flight experiences during the air show in Great Bend.

“The connection between the P-51 Mustang and the B-29 Superfortress is indeed special due to their interdependent roles in the Allied air campaign during World War II,” said Josh Wells, B-29 Doc executive director. “The presence of the P-51 in the Pacific theater of the war allowed B-29s to carry out their bombing missions with increased safety and effectiveness. Together, these aircraft demonstrated how different components of air power could complement each other to achieve strategic goals.”

B-29 Doc is one of 1,644 B-29s built by the Boeing Company in Wichita, Kan., during World War II, and one of only two B-29 aircraft still airworthy and flying today. This year (2024) marks 80 years since Doc rolled off the assembly line in 1944.

“Gunfighter” is a P-51 D Model Mustang, serial number 73264, built in the Inglewood, California, North American plant and was delivered to the USAAF in March of 1945, which is the same month and year B-29 Doc was delivered to the USAAF. Gunfighter was shipped to England in 1945 and assigned to the “Mighty Eighth” Air Force. When the war in Europe ended in July of 1945, the aircraft was assigned back in the U.S. at Olmstead Field in Pennsylvania before it was retired in 1956 (the same year Doc retired from military duty).

It’s the second time this tour season that B-29 Doc and P-51 “Gunfighter” have worked together to bring the historic connection between the two aircraft to life. Both appeared in Columbia, MO, in July.

“Teaming up with B-29 Doc brings a unique past in our nation’s history to life,” said Larry Lumpkin, Gunfighter Team Lead. “Both of these aircraft played a pivotal role in World War II, and bringing both to Kansas and a city that played a crucial role in the training of our nation’s arsenal of pilots, aircrew and maintainers, will further tell the story of what it was like to fly in these iconic airplanes.”

Flight experience tickets for B-29 Doc and P-51 Gunfighter are on sale now at www.b29doc.com/rides. Both aircraft will be on display during the Great Bend AirFest and all flight experience ticket holders must have an air show ticket. More information about the Great Bend AirFest can be found at www.greatbendairfest.com.