ONE COLD B-29 SUPERFORTRESS

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Joe Gopan
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ONE COLD B-29 SUPERFORTRESS

Post by Joe Gopan » Sun Nov 18, 2018 1:48 am

It's been just about 40 years since USAF AC No. 44-61748 left China Lake Naval Weapons Facility for Duxford in UK. It was given barely enough maintence to offset the 25 plus or minus years it sat in outside storage and flown by a volunteer crew with the landing gear down for the entire trip. The USAF loaned some heaters to keep the crew comfortable. The one time flight left the USA via LORING AFB Maine (just North of me). This B-29 flew bombing missions over Korea and was named "It's Hawg Wild".
Tragically, the civilian pilot died in an unrelated aircraft crash a few weels later.
2011 MVPA PIONEER AWARD - MVPA #1064
HONOR GRAD-WHEELED VEHICLE MECHANIC SCHOOL 1960 - US ARMY ORDNANCE SCHOOL(MACHINIST) ABERDEEN PG 1962 - O-1 BIRD DOG CREWCHIEF - 300,000+TROUBLE FREE M-38A1 MILES
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Wolfman
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Re: ONE COLD B-29 SUPERFORTRESS

Post by Wolfman » Sun Nov 18, 2018 7:15 am

"Ferry Flights" are always scary. The aircraft is determined to be airworthy enough to make the "one" flight. And you hope it is!!
Leaving the gear down was a good move. In this situation, getting it up does not insure it will come back down. Keeping the aircraft below the gear extended speed sure would make the trip a longer one !
Wonder what ever happened to this aircraft ??
I don't recall ever hearing of a B-29 named " It's Hawg Wild".
Mike Wolford
CJ-2A
VEP GPW
Comm./Inst. SEL
AOPA ( 50 yrs)
EAA ( 49 yrs)
4th Inf. Div. - 5th Inf. Div. - 2nd Armor Div. - CIB

Joe Gopan
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Posts: 49841
Joined: Sun Mar 02, 2008 12:37 pm
Location: Proving Ground

Re: ONE COLD B-29 SUPERFORTRESS

Post by Joe Gopan » Sun Nov 18, 2018 9:06 am

Look up B-29 44-61748, B-29 "It's Hawg Wild" 307 BG, and B-29, Duxford.
I am quoting from memory and am sure you will find it. It went dpwn hill for years in UK.
2011 MVPA PIONEER AWARD - MVPA #1064
HONOR GRAD-WHEELED VEHICLE MECHANIC SCHOOL 1960 - US ARMY ORDNANCE SCHOOL(MACHINIST) ABERDEEN PG 1962 - O-1 BIRD DOG CREWCHIEF - 300,000+TROUBLE FREE M-38A1 MILES
LIFE MEMBER AM LEGION-40/8-DAV
7 MIL SPEC MAINTAINED MV'S
COL. BRUNO BROOKS (ARMY MOTORS) IS MY HERO

D.R.H.
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Re: ONE COLD B-29 SUPERFORTRESS

Post by D.R.H. » Sun Nov 18, 2018 2:32 pm

Here is the link; http://keyproductionstv.com/hawgwild/. This is a good story you posted Ben. Not nearly as sad and tragic of a story like the one surrounding "KEE-BIRD".
In Loving Memoriam: George R. Hancock. 20 Mar. 1938 - 11 Jan. 2017. U.S.A.F. 1956 - 1962. R.I.P. Dad.
In Loving Memoriam: Ann Hancock, 08 Mar. 1934 - 25 Sept. 2021. R.N. 1960 - 2005. R.I.P. Mom.
Thank You BOTH for always being there.

My YouTube Channel. https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCaMKEv ... M3g/videos.

Wolfman
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Re: ONE COLD B-29 SUPERFORTRESS

Post by Wolfman » Tue Nov 20, 2018 6:24 am

Great Link !!
Thanks D.R.H.
Mike Wolford
CJ-2A
VEP GPW
Comm./Inst. SEL
AOPA ( 50 yrs)
EAA ( 49 yrs)
4th Inf. Div. - 5th Inf. Div. - 2nd Armor Div. - CIB


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