The Story of B-29 DOC and its Legendary Rescue and Restoration of a National Treasure is Published

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Check out their new book! 

WICHITA, Kan., Feb. 5, 2025 –  RESCUING DOC, a book that chronicles the decades-long saga of Tony Mazzolini’s and DOC’s Friends to acquire and return the last restorable B-29 Superfortress to flight status is now available for purchase. All book proceeds will support DOC and DOC’s operations.

The book, written by Dave Franson, a career aviation marketer and communicator from Wichita, KS, covers the in-depth story of Tony Mazzolini’s passion and dream to restore a B-29 Superfortress. Dave’s one-on-one interviews and countless hours with Tony provided the stories and recollections from the recovery and relocation of DOC from China Lake, CA, to Wichita, KS, for restoration. A portion of the book is written in Tony’s voice, rather than from a narrator’s point of view, which brings a unique delivery of a story that stretches from Cleveland, OH, to China Lake, CA, to Pensacola, FL, to Wichita, KS.

“This book is intended to share the fascinating and often incredible accounts of DOC’s restoration as one of only two airworthy B-29s left in the world. It will also serve as an enduring tribute to the patriots who designed, built, and flew B-29s, as well as those who eventually restored this aircraft,” said author Dave Franson. “I think it’s fitting that it is being released 80 years after it entered service and after the B-29 helped bring an end to the most devastating war in history.”

This 188-page book includes behind-the-scenes photos and stories, some of which have never been seen or told before, and provides details of DOC’s restoration and current mission of honoring the Greatest Generation by keeping their legacy alive through B-29 DOC.

“Returning this airplane to the air was a dream come true for me,” Tony Mazzolini stated. “Even though it took more than 30 years to accomplish, it was always my goal that a fully-restored DOC would serve as a symbol to honor, educate and connect the present and future generations with the “Greatest Generation” of Americans who fought and died to defend liberty and restore freedom to millions. It’s gratifying to me that this book will preserve their memories and stories of the great family of volunteers, technicians, artisans, machinists, tool makers, managers, supporters and funders who restored DOC, too.”

The book also features more than 120 photos as well as insight from the DOC’s Friends leadership team that helped finish the restoration and now owns and operates DOC as a living and flying museum.

Priced at $40 for the paperback version and $50 for a hardback volume, it may be ordered online at www.b29doc.com/shop/book. All proceeds from the sale of RESCUING DOC will go to support the continuing operations of DOC and DOC’s Friends, Inc., a non-profit based in Wichita, Kansas.

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On the web:
www.b29doc.com
www.b29doc.com/shop/book

Twitter:
www.twitter.com/B29DocsFriends

Facebook:
www.facebook.com/B29Doc

Media Contact: Josh Wells, Doc’s Friends, (316) 358-9894 josh@b29doc.com

About Doc’s Friends and B-29 Doc
Doc’s Friends, Inc., is a 501c3 non-profit board managing the operation of the Boeing B-29 Superfortress known as Doc. Doc is a B-29 Superfortress and one of 1,644 manufactured in Wichita during World War II. It is one of only two remaining B-29s that are still airworthy and flying today.  The mission of Doc’s Friends is to HONOR the men and women who sacrificed so much for the freedom of others, including those who designed, built, maintained and flew the B-29 during and after WWII. CONNECT people with the rich heritage of the B-29 and allow aviation enthusiasts to experience the thrill of a B-29 up close. EDUCATE today’s and future generations on the contributions of the Greatest Generation during wartime.

About the B-29 Doc History Restored Tour and B-29 Doc Flight Experience
Each year, B-29 Doc travels to cities across the United States to allow aviation enthusiasts a chance to B-29 Doc up-close and personal. Doc’s annual tour mission includes an average of 100 flight hours, beginning in early April and spanning through the summer until late October. Tour stops include ground and flight deck tours, as well as B-29 Doc Flight Experiences. The B-29 Doc Flight Experience will last approximately 90 minutes and includes a 30-minute ride. Prior to takeoff, passengers will experience a crew briefing and learn more about the history of the B-29 and the role it played in U.S. history. Passengers will also get to hear and see the sights and sounds of engine starts and run-ups prior to takeoff.