B-29 “Doc” arrives in Lawton

The B-29 “Doc” arrived in Lawton yesterday. The plane is one of only two B-29’s, the plane type that dropped atomic bombs on Hiroshima and Nagasaki, that can fly today.

“Doc” was made at the end of 1944, shortly before the war would end. “Doc” was active duty from 1944 to 1956, said Chief Pilot Mark Novak.

It was 60 years between Doc’s last landing in China Lake, CA, to its first takeoff again in Wichita, KS. The restoration process took 16 years, with Doc being flyable again in 2016.

“It is a labor of love,” said Novak.

Since then, “Doc” and the crew have been all over the US educating people about the plane and its role in WWII, as well as honoring those who fought in the war.

“Doc”’s crew has six members, four of whom are veterans, including Novak, who was a test pilot for Doc to be able to fly again. He is one of only eight people that are left seat qualified to fly B-29s.

“It’s pretty special, it’s a different type of airplane to fly,” he said.

Leon Pitts, a Vietnam veteran in the Army for 7 years, has been with “Doc” since he arrived in Wichita, KS for its restoration. Pitt’s favorite part of his job is “Traveling around, meeting people. Kids … getting those to realize what history is all about. That’s what we’re here for, it’s to keep history alive … that’s the best part.”

Fernando Delaccio, a retired flight engineer of the US Airforce and “Docs” current flight engineer, said “I want to impart the history. I want people not to forget.”

The sentiment of remembrance echoes through the B-29. Flight and ground tours will be available today through Sunday and can be booked through b29doc.com. Flights will take off at 9 a.m. and 11 a.m. on Saturday and Sunday. Ground tours will also be available from roughly 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Friday and roughly noon to 4 p.m. Saturday. After Doc lands at noon -12:30 p.m. Sunday, ground tours will be available until about 3 p.m.