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Wichita B -29: Volunteer donates two shifts each week

Posted by bdk on Wed Mar 20, 2002 03:30:20 PM

Twice a week for nearly a year, B-29 volunteer Jim Christy has spent first shift working on the restoration of "Doc" in the Experimental Flight Hangar - and then worked second shift at his regular job in Facilities Maintenance. Christy said the extra time volunteering is a small price to pay to "give back to World War II veterans." (Sonja Dove photo)

Boeing B-29 volunteer Jim Christy says he works on the airplane for his father, his cousin and others like them who served in World War II. He wants to leave a flying memorial to veterans, and he's in a rush to do it because he wants as many veterans as possible to see "Doc" take to the sky.

"Doc" is a B-29 Superfortress now being rebuilt at Boeing Wichita's Experimental Flight Hangar. During the next few weeks, "Doc" will be moved to the Northwest Hangar ("Bunny Wash") where key body parts will be joined, a major step in the restoration effort.

Christy, a 15-year veteran of Boeing, works second shift in Facilities Maintenance. Every Tuesday and Friday, he cuts his sleep short to help restore "Doc" to flying status and works a full "first shift" on the B-29.

"It's my chance to give something back to World War II veterans," Christy said. "If it wasn't for the B-29, who knows what the world would be like now? I figure for a short period of time working on 'Doc,' I can give up a little sleep to help get the plane ready to fly."

Christy said he puts his sheet metal skills back to work as a volunteer, doing everything from skin repair and corrosion work to fabrication. He said he likes the mix of retirees and younger employees helping to restore the plane.

"I like working with the retirees," he said. "You get to hear some of the old stories about Boeing. Col. Paul Tibbetts came and was telling us about dropping the bomb on Japan. That was a memorable moment.

Christy said he is proud of the quality of the work being done on "Doc."

"It's going to be a great product when we get it done," he said. "It's going to be nearly a brand-new airplane. A lot of people are going out of their way putting in extra effort to make it 'right.'"

Christy admits volunteering cuts into his home life, but for the sake of history, he's willing to sacrifice sleep time for now. His goal is the rejoining of body sections of "Doc."

"I can hardly wait to see the big pieces go together," he said. "That's what we're all looking forward to right now." Plans call for the restoration effort to be completed early next year.

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