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(video) B-29 "Doc" First Flight in 60 years! World's 2nd Superfortress Takes Off from Wichita, Kansas!
FIFI has lost her title as the world's only flying B-29! If you missed Doc's first flight, here it is!! Recorded live from DPG WICHITA. (www.youtube.com) More...Sort type: [Top] [Newest]
Did all B-29s use the R3350 engines with turbo compounding? I just watched a 40 minute "Flight Engineers Training Program" that was top secret in 1944 when filmed and it spoke about turning on and off the turbos. It said it had a "waste gate" problem that was fixed AND the turbos that were being inspected looked like the external variety as found on the B-17s and P-38s, not the enclosed three turbos that were on the amazing turbo compound engines. Did they ever use that type (Lockheed Super Connies and DC-7s used them), and were they put into service later since they were the final iteration of the radial engine? I built an RC version of the '17 and did a lot of research on the turbos and their plumbing.
Is Doc coming to Oshkosh Air Venture?
if had not been for the B-29, I would not be sitting at my computer.
From one old USAF bird to another, grab the sky Doc and just keep climbing. Great to see you up there again.
Why'd they leave the gear down??
Normal for a test flight. There's less to go wrong.
Thought as much. But makes plane harder to fly/maneuver, especially at low altitudes/speeds. Would've thought they'd want to cycle the gear and test that too, but I guess safer to test while mounted on blocks.
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As a pilot, it is common sense that any aircraft is harder to fly & maneuver at low altitudes and speeds with anything that increases drag, such as gear down. While it may be negligible (or not) in the B-29, 'tis only a general observation.
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