Heigh Ho! Heigh Ho!
In 1956, B-29 s/n 44-69972 was among 50 Superfortresses that were parked in the desert at China Lake. They were to meet an ignominious end as targets for ballistic missiles; however, luck spared a plane named DOC that was all but forgotten. When Tony Mazzolini decided to search for a B-29 to restore to flying status in 1987, everyone told him there were none left, until he heard about DOC. This is the story of the three-decade odyssey that culminated in DOC returning to the skies.
In 1956, B-29 s/n 44-69972 was among 50 Superfortresses that were parked in the desert at China Lake. They were to meet an ignominious end as targets for ballistic missiles; however, luck spared a plane named DOC that was all but forgotten. When Tony Mazzolini decided to search for a B-29 to restore to flying status in 1987, everyone told him there were none left, until he heard about DOC. This is the story of the three-decade odyssey that culminated in DOC returning to the skies.