‘Doc’ gets new legs

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Christopher Thornbury
  • 22nd Air Refueling Wing Public Affairs
MCCONNELL AIR FORCE BASE, Kan. --  The B-29 Stratofortress was once used to put an end to World War II, a war that shaped the world. Since then, the planes have lived a less-than-heroic lifestyle; once used as target practice for the U.S. Navy in the Majave Desert.

One of the 1,600 B-29s managed to avoid enough firepower to start a new life. 'Doc' rolled off the Boeing assembly line in March 1945 in Wichita, Kansas. Seventy years later it rests in its hometown, receiving much deserved tender-loving-care from volunteers in the local community.

The 22nd Maintenance Squadron wheel and tire section lent a few pairs of hands to help replace the worn out tires with new ones, March 11.

"[The old] tires were originally on the wheels of a P-38 Glacier Girl that was frozen in ice for 56 years," said Staff Sgt. Austin Phillips, 22nd Maintenance Squadron wheel and tire section chief, "[They weren't] even B-29 tires and they are weather cracked."

The old tires were used temporarily to maneuver Doc during the restoration; however, they are not sturdy enough for taxi-ing speeds.

"[Doc's Friends, the organization in charge of the restoration,] contacted us to see if we have the capability," said Phillips. "We have the capability so we are making it happen."

Doc's wheel design is much different than the KC-135 Stratotanker wheels they are used to working on; however, with several Airmen wrestling the slab of rubber using old techniques, the tires were fitted to the rim and ready for the tube inside to be aired up.

Even though it took a lot of muscling around, the awareness of the historical significance was not lost.

"To me, it is a special airplane and I am proud and honored to do it," said Phillips. "It is cool because not everyone has the opportunity to do something so historical like this. There are other historic aircraft, but to work on what will be the second flying B-29 is just awesome, I am happy to do it, I am like a little kid excited to do it to be a part of it."

The surrounding community once gave life to Doc, and history is repeating itself in Wichita and McConnell once more.