PRESS RELEASE
The iconic P-51 Mustang Gunfighter will join the B-29 DOC History Restored Tour at select stops this May and June, offering aviation enthusiasts a rare opportunity to experience two of World War II’s most legendary aircraft together. The tour will include appearances in Delaware, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, and Kansas.
Built in 1945—the same year as DOC—Gunfighter is a North American P-51D Mustang that was assigned to the “Mighty Eighth” Air Force in England at the end of the war. “The shared legacies of the B-29 Superfortress and P-51 Mustang showcase two great stories of America’s superior air power during World War II,” said Josh Wells, B-29 DOC executive director. “Adding Gunfighter to the History Restored Tour broadens our reach and allows us to further tell the story of the men and women who designed, built, and flew these airplanes to protect freedom around the world. These two historic warbirds on tour together provide a unique opportunity for people to climb inside history and get up-close and personal with living artifacts that honor the legacy of the Greatest Generation.” DOC, one of only two remaining airworthy B-29 Superfortresses in the world, is among the 1,644 B-29s built by the Boeing Company in Wichita, Kansas during World War II. The P-51 Mustang, arriving later in the war, provided vital long-range escort support for bombers such as the B-17 and B-29, significantly enhancing their survivability during missions.
“Gunfighter’s mission has always been to educate, honor, and inspire,” said Jeff Linebaugh, P-51 Gunfighter pilot and operations officer. “Teaming up with DOC allows us to bring that mission to life in an impactful way. Giving people the chance to fly in these historic aircraft isn’t just thrilling—it’s meaningful. It’s the kind of experience that stays with you long after the engine shuts down.”
The P-51 Gunfighter will accompany the B-29 DOC on the following dates and locations, with additional tour stops to be announced soon: May 13–14 in Wilmington/New Castle, Delaware (P-51 flight experience rides available); May 16–18 at Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst for the Power in the Pines Air Show in New Jersey (static display only); May 21–26 in Farmingdale, New York at the American Airpower Museum (P-51 flight experience rides available); and June 27–29 in Wichita, Kansas for the B-29 DOC Ride Flight Weekend (P-51 flight experience rides available).
Tickets for both B-29 DOC and P-51 Gunfighter Flight Experience rides are on sale now at www.b29doc.com and www.p51gunfighter.com. Information about the individual events, including opportunities for ground and cockpit tours at events when the aircraft are not flying, can be found at www.b29doc.com/events. Additional joint tour stops with DOC and P-51 Gunfighter will be announced soon.
