HANOVER TOWNSHIP, LEHIGH COUNTY, Pa. — One of the only two remaining B-29 Superfortress bombers still airworthy is about to land in the Lehigh Valley.
Lehigh Valley International Airport will host the B-29 Doc History Restored Tour from May 9-12.
The plane will touch down at the airport on Monday to prepare for ground and cockpit tours, as well as flight experience rides.
B-29 Doc is one of 1,644 B-29 Superfortress aircraft built by the Boeing Company in Wichita, Kansas, during World War II.
“Our mission is to honor the legacies of the Greatest Generation and the stories of those who designed, built, flew and maintained these historic warbirds to protect freedom.”B-29 Doc Executive Director Josh Wells, in a release.
Restoration of the plane spanned more than two decades, with volunteers dedicating more than 450,000 hours to give it new life.
The aircraft flew exclusively in the Pacific Theater during the war and was designed to operate at higher altitudes, faster speeds and with heavier bomb loads than the B-17 featured in the World War II drama series “Masters of the Air '' available on Apple TV+.
The series is based on a book by Lafayette College professor Donald L. Miller, and scripted for television by John Orloff.
About the History Restored Tour
The Lehigh Valley will be the fifth of eight stops for the B-29 Doc History Restored Tour this spring.
The mission of each visit is to honor the men and women who designed, built, maintained and flew the B-29 during and after World War II.
It also aims to connect people with the heritage of the B-29 and let aviation enthusiasts experience the aircraft up close.
“Our mission is to honor the legacies of the Greatest Generation and the stories of those who designed, built, flew and maintained these historic warbirds to protect freedom,” B-29 Doc Executive Director Josh Wells said in a release.
The plane is operated and maintained by the nonprofit Doc’s Friends Inc. Its annual tour mission includes an average of 100 flight hours, beginning in early April and spanning through summer until late October.
About the visit
The plane will be based at Hangar 10 / Gate 42 (602 Hayden Circle, Allentown) while at the airport.
It will be available for ground and cockpit tours from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Thursday and Friday, May 9 and 10.
Flight Experience rides will be available at 9 and 11 a.m. Saturday and Sunday, May 11 and 12, followed by ground and cockpit tours from 12:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Admission for ground and cockpit tours will be $10 per person or $20 per family, with tickets available at the gate. Ride flight tickets are on sale now at www.b29doc.com/rides.
Each flight experience will last about 90 minutes and include a 30-minute ride.
Prior to takeoff, passengers experience a crew briefing and learn more about the history of the B-29 and the role it played in U.S. history.
Passengers also will get to hear and see the sights and sounds of engine starts and run-ups prior to takeoff.
Each B-29 Doc Flight Experience flight has 11 seats with the following prices:
- Bombardier ($1,500)
- Cockpit/Pilot Observer ($1,200)
- Radio Operator ($1,200)
- Navigator ($1,200)
- Master Gunner ($600)
- Gunner ($600 each, six seats)
The Bombardier, Cockpit/Pilot Observer and Navigator seats are in the forward section (front) of the aircraft, while the Master Gunner and six Gunner seats are in the aft section (back).
According to the website, Doc burns about 450 gallons of fuel per flight hour, with propeller, engine and maintenance reserves and costs factored into the price of each flight.
The estimated cost per flight hour is about $3,600, with the plane in the air 10-15 hours per month.
