Doc’s first flight draws fans young and old

In honor of B-29 Superfortress Doc’s first flight in 60 years, 95-year-old World War II veteran Mel Winters gathered with hundreds of people in south Wichita early Sunday morning.

Winters said he spent nearly 3 1/2 years in the Coast Guard during World War II, but what he really wanted was to be a pilot. B-29s have always excited him.

“Anything about World War II is an interest to me,” Winters said.

Winters was accompanied by his 94-year-old wife, Theresa, and their two daughters and son. The family was part of the hundreds of people, young and old, who flocked to 47th South and Oliver to witness the historic event.

Despite a short delay, the crowd cheered and applauded when they saw Doc crest the hill and then fly over them.

Kevin Dutton and his friend Craig Plank said they ride their bikes together every Sunday morning. On this particular Sunday, they decided to take their midpoint pit stop on 47th Street, where they were surprised by all of the people.

“I thought there might be five cars out here and we’d be hanging around with our bikes, but this is amazing,” Dutton said.

Dutton said he was eager to see a plane as old as Doc back in action again.

“We’ll probably never get to see it again, so it’s just exciting,” Dutton said.

For Bob Graham, watching Doc’s flight was a way to reconnect with his dad and spend time with his daughter, Kellie.

“My dad worked on B-29s before he went in the Navy, so I feel like we’re part of that,” Bob Graham said.

Kellie Graham said she and her dad have gone to several air shows and have always been interested in airplanes.

“I’m just excited to come here with my dad,” Kellie Graham said. “It’s another event to spend time with him and get to see a cool airplane.”

Spectator Stephen LaBarre trekked 5.5 hours to Wichita from Irving, Texas, with his wife, Antoinette, “just to see the plane take off.”

LaBarre said he used to build model airplanes as a kid and joined the Air Force because he loved airplanes. He has also seen the flight of the only other airworthy B-29 in the world, Fifi.

“I think having our history kept alive is important, so seeing this B-29 take off is kind of a reassurance that we’re concerned about our history, and we’re willing to take the effort to have the planes restored and enjoyed by future generations,” LaBarre said.

The impact of Doc’s first flight was not lost on viewer Fritz Hensler, who said he spent from 1959 to 1961 stationed at McConnell Air Force. Hensler said Doc’s flight was special to him, the people who restored the war bird and the city of Wichita.

“The way they had to take it out of the desert in pieces and ... then to see it fly – wow,” Hensler said.

“That’s an amazing project.”

This story was originally published July 17, 2016 at 2:54 PM with the headline "Doc’s first flight draws fans young and old."