The flight took Doc to Whiteman Air Force Base, Missouri to be part of the Wings Over Whiteman Airshow and open house scheduled for June 10 – 11, to commemorate the 70th Anniversary of the Air Force. This helps us connect those that are here today to those that have come before us, and how important it is to understand what they did for us. They’re going to get to educate tens of thousands of people about the B-29 because they poured their heart and souls into this airplane. “We’re excited for, and their continued work. “When you think about Doc and you think about Fifi and all these warbirds that we have, they’re labors of love,” he said. Tibbets IV emphasized his appreciation for the time and effort the volunteers put into restoring Doc and bringing this piece of history back to life. It’ll be a great time to chat and catch up over our hour-long flight.” “I’ve known for years and we’ll each get a turn to fly. “Doc is a piece of history, and the Tibbets name is historic because anyone who knows WWII knows about the general’s grandfather, Paul Tibbets Jr.,” said Novak. “When we have the opportunity to embrace that kind of heritage and that kind of history, it’s a real privilege and an honor.”īefore the flight, Doc’s pilot, Mark Novak, described the significance of having Tibbets IV on board. He was upset that commander Paul Tibbets had named his plane the Enola Gay. “It’s really about upholding the legacy of those who have come before,” he said. Captain Robert Lewis, Co-Pilot Air Force flier Robert Lewis was a pilot first and foremost. Now, 72 years after the historic WWII mission and nearly 10 years after the passing of his grandfather, Tibbets IV, who is traditionally a B-1 Lancer pilot and currently a B-2 Spirit pilot, once again boarded a B-29 to honor his grandfather.
It was a great opportunity for me to be with him.”
He and I got to fly Fifi together, which was awesome. “He had given up aviation and had not flown in any aircraft in a very long time. But once upon a time, you flew a plane called the Enola Gay over the city of Hiroshima, in Japan, on a Sunday morning - Augand a bomb fell. Paul Warfield Tibbets, Jr., the pilot’s mother, died while completing the mission.
“The only time I ever flew with my grandfather was with Fifi,” said Tibbets IV. What Is The Enola Gay And Why Is It Important As a member of the United States B-29 team, Enola Gay dropped the atomic bomb on Hiroshima, Japan the first time the bomb, the most powerful explosive weapon ever deployed, was used on an enemy target as well. Paul Tibbets Jr., who piloted the B-29 Enola Gay when the aircraft and its crew dropped an atomic bomb on Japan, helping end World War II. In 1998, Tibbets IV, flew Fifi with his grandfather, retired Brig. Taking control of the aircraft means he has now flown the only two currently operational B-29s, Doc and Fifi. Paul Tibbets IV, 509th Bomb Wing commander. Wichita’s beloved B-29 Superfortress, Doc, took to the skies yet again June 9, from McConnell Air Force Base, this time with an added aspect of historical significance and Air Force heritage.