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Wiring gives new energy to ?Doc? B-29 project
Posted by bdk on Thu Jul 17, 2003 01:59:56 PM
In reply top null posted by null on null
Wiring gives new energy to ?Doc? project
Aeronautical engineers say wiring is the lifeline that provides all the energy needs of an aircraft. If that is true, the volunteer effort currently underway to restore ?Doc,? the Boeing Wichita-built B-29 Superfortress to flying status, received a new surge of energy recently.
Tony Mazzolini, owner of the airplane and United States Aviation Museum Chief Executive Officer, said locating the wiring for the entire airplane is now complete.
?We brought the wiring that was donated by Corinth operation in Texas and we have all the wiring now for the 41 section and the wiring for the entire airplane is now complete,? he said.
?Now, we are in the process of getting the connectors assembled to the harnesses and we?ll start the installation of the wiring. It?s a major step and it?s like making ?Doc? into a brand new airplane.?
Boeing and Labinal, a Snecma Group company, recently signed a long-term agreement, which included the acquisition by Labinal of the electrical wiring activities of Boeing Corinth, near Dallas, Texas.
The facility produces around 30 percent of the wiring for BCA and the Company is donating the wiring to the restoration effort.
Engineers say there are ?thousands of feet of wiring in the B-29,? and it was equipped with the most state-of-the-art electrical system during World War II.
Mazzolini said getting the wiring is a major step because, although ?Doc? is in excellent condition for the age of the aircraft, volunteers didn?t want to take a chance in the restoration efforts by relying on more than a half century old wiring.
Mazzolini was in Wichita for a summer visit to get an update on the process of the restoration efforts. He said work is going slow but steadily and is taking longer than had originally planned.
?The quality of work justifies the time spent on the aircraft,? he said. ?Our volunteers desire and want to have it look like a brand new model and they are doing an outstanding job. I am just delighted with the volunteers and their efforts.?
Mazzolini admits there are some challenges ahead, but he is upbeat about ?Doc? being restored to flying status within a year.
Efforts are currently under way to encourage additional funding from corporations. The United States Aviation Museum is a 501c (3) non-profit educational institution that qualifies for matching funds.
