Two World War II aviation icons to land in Huntsville
MADISON – B-29 DOC and P-51 Gunfighter—two World War II-era aviation icons—will bring the B-29 DOC History Restored Tour to Huntsville, Oct. 8-11. Both historic aircraft will be available for public tours and ride flight experiences during the four-day tour stop at Huntsville Executive Airport and Tom Sharp, Jr. Field.
DOC is one of 1,644 Boeing B-29 Superfortress bombers built in Wichita, Kansas, during World War II—and today, it is one of only two still airworthy and flying. The P-51 Gunfighter, a D-model Mustang, is equally rare, with fewer than 150 of the roughly 15,000 produced during the war still in existence.
“Huntsville is a community that has deep roots in aviation, aerospace and technological innovation,” said B-29 DOC Director of Maintenance Donnie Obreiter. “There’s something special about being able to stand beside these aircraft, see their size and complexity, and imagine the people who depended on them more than 80 years ago. Bringing these two World War II-era aircraft to Huntsville showcases a powerful connection between the pioneering aviation achievements of the 1940s and the generations of engineers, innovators and aviation workers who have helped make Huntsville a center of American aerospace excellence.”
DOC and Gunfighter will be available for public ground and cockpit/ramp tours beginning Thursday, Oct. 8 through Sunday, Oct. 12.
“Bringing the B-29 and P-51 together in Huntsville gives people a unique opportunity to see two legendary World War II aircraft side by side and understand the different roles they played in achieving victory,” said P-51 Gunfighter Pilot Pete Scholl. “Each aircraft has an incredible story of its own but seeing them together helps tell a much larger story about the people, technology and teamwork that defined American air power during World War II.”
Public access will be available Thursday and Friday, Oct. 8 and 9, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., and on Saturday, Oct. 10, from 12 p.m. to 5 p.m. B-29 DOC Flight Experience Rides will be available Saturday and Sunday, Oct. 10 and 11, at 9 and 10:30 a.m. P-51 Gunfighter will be available for ride flights Oct. 9-11 and will be on static ramp display throughout the event when it is not flying.
Public access for this event will be through Executive Flight Center at Huntsville Executive Airport (360 Clyde Shelton Drive, Meridianville, Alabama 35759. Ramp tour admission will be $10 per person or $20 per family (tickets available at the gate the day of the event).
Ride flight tickets for both warbirds are on sale now: • B-29 DOC: www.b29doc.com/rides • P-51 Gunfighter: www.p51gunfighter. com/airplane-rides.
