New England superfortress

Flight Journal, Dec 2001 by Werneth, Ron

Boeing B-29 Superfortress-TB-29A 1(44-619 75)-is currently being restored by a dedicated band of volunteers at the New England Air Museum in Windsor, Connecticut. This particular aircraft, built by Boeing at its Renton, Washington, facility, was delivered to the United States Army Air Force on July 13, 1945. The War ended the following month, so the overseas delivery of this example was delayed. Instead, the Superfortress passed through a number of stateside bases from July 1945 until April 1953, and it was eventually converted from a standard "A" model to a "TB"-a training variant of the breed. In February 1954, the bomber went overseas to Molesworth, Cambridgeshire, in the UK and served in the Korean War. During that war, the B-29 flew between Molesworth and Wheelus AFB, Libya, on special assignment.

After serving overseas, the Superfortress was transferred to the Aberdeen Proving Grounds in 1956. There, along with numerous other B-29 airframes, it was left to the elements. The bombers also suffered the indignity of being suspended between towers and used as targets for ballistic-missile training. Luckily, this B-29 survived this brutality, and in 1973, it was recovered by the New England Air Museum (then the Bradley Air Museum). The aircraft was disassembled by museum volunteers, members of the Connecticut National Guard and Connecticut Air National Guard, and it was transported via flatbed truck to Bradley International Airport.

Once the airframe arrived at the museum, restoration efforts began. Unfortunately, the project suffered a serious setback when it was damaged by a tornado on October 3, 1979; it was literally picked up and spun 180 degrees. Furthermore, an engine was torn off, and the fuselage was damaged by flying debris. Remarkably, it was still considered restorable; the volunteers decided not to throw in the towel just yet. Since then, a volunteer team led by George Damato has worked long and hard to return the WW II time capsule to mint condition. Much work, however, still remains.

When the restoration is complete, the B-29 will be finished in the markings of the famed 58th Bomb Wing-- the first wing to fly the aircraft in combat. It will be housed in a purpose-built 58th Bomb Wing Memorial Building that will include a movie theater and displays of original memorabilia from the Wing. Connecticut has pledged $1 million to help fund the building of this structure as well as for additional display space for this project. The team, however, must locate a number of missing components and is actively seeking memorabilia pertaining to the 58th Bomb Wing. For more information, please contact The New England Air Museum, 58th Bomb Wing Memorial (attn: Lou Landino), Bradley International Airport, Windsor Locks, CT 06096. -Ron Werneth