Restored World War II-era bomber arrives at the Palm Springs Air Museum for six-day visit
Gavin Nguyen
PALM SPRINGS, Calif. (KESQ) – A restored B-29 Superfortress, known as Doc, is visiting Palm Springs. Doc is one of just two airworthy Superfortresses in the world.
The bomber landed just after 1:30 p.m. on Tuesday.
This visit is a part of the aircraft’s annual cross-country tour, aimed at honoring and preserving the legacy of the airmen who served aboard these planes.
“Being able to bring one of only two B-29 super fortresses here to share in the story and the living legacies that are these airplanes is something remarkable,” says Josh Wells, the Executive Director of B-29 Doc.
Wells says that the bomber represents the impact the people who built aircraft during the war, too.
In Wichita, where Doc is based, 100-year-old Connie Palacios still volunteers with the group that maintains the Superfortress. Palacios was 17 years old when she worked for the Boeing Company to rivet B-29s like Doc.
“She came back in 2000 to help restore the airplane. And she continues to volunteer today at 100 years old,” Wells recalls. “Every time we fly it, we think about those men and women who designed, built and flew the airplanes and to tell their stories and carry on Connie’s legacy and the Rosie the Riveter legacy.”
The museum will offer ground and cockpit tours starting Wednesday, April 30th through Sunday, May 4th.
Tickets for flights aboard Doc are also being sold for Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. Information on that opportunity is available here.