World War II Era B-29 Bomber Visits Tulsa Air And Space Museum

The World War II-Era B-29 Bomber known as Doc is visiting the Tulsa Air and Space Museum this weekend. People can tour it and even take a ride.

"It's a pretty complex machine for 1944," said Flight Engineer and Maintenance Director, Donnie Obreiter.

Before each flight, Donnie checks every inch of the B-29 Superfortress.

"Want to make sure nobody left flashlights or hats or anything in there," he said.

He's getting Doc ready to fulfill its mission, to honor the men and women who served in World War II, by flying across the country to share its story. And that means a trip to Tulsa.

"Oh there's nothing cooler in the world, just to feel that raw horsepower and to bring this beast alive, it's like nothing else I've ever done," he said.

Donnie's job on board is to run the four huge engines, and he said he never forgets those who were there before him.

"Every time I sit in that seat I imagine this being a 12-16-hour mission over the pacific, there's nowhere to land if something goes wrong, we're not gonna be shot at today," Obreiter said.

It takes a crews of six to fly the shiny, metal beast, and Pilot Sean Elliot just might have the best seat on board.

"Everybody every time we climb in that airplane is just, just not only thrilled but highly respectful of what we are doing and maintaining the history that this airplane represents," said Elliot.

Seeing our shadow move across the ground, it's not hard to gain a new perspective on the veterans who flew these planes.

"It tells a story of flying the airplane, getting the airplane in flight, experiencing in flight with our passengers. It's a whole other level of respect and understanding and appreciation for what those veterans did, both men and women," said Elliot.

Obreiter said he feels lucky to be able to do this.

"Putting it in that perspective, yeah it's pretty cool. I mean, I guess that's the odds of being able to do what I do on Doc is even slimmer than winning the lottery," he said.

After landing in Tulsa, a crowd was waiting, including World War II Veteran, Bill Parker.

"Well it's amazing to me that you can get any of them to fly," Parker said.

For the crew of Doc, honoring veterans like Bill is what it's all about, taking time to thank the greatest generation.

"We very much appreciate you being here and being apart of this," said Elliot.

For more information on tours, visit https://www.b29doc.com/ and https://www.tulsamuseum.org/