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This helps us connect those that are here today to those that have come before us, and how important it is to understand what they did for us. They’re going to get to educate tens of thousands of people about the B-29 because they poured their heart and souls into this airplane. “We’re excited for, and their continued work. “When you think about Doc and you think about Fifi and all these warbirds that we have, they’re labors of love,” he said. Tibbets IV emphasized his appreciation for the time and effort the volunteers put into restoring Doc and bringing this piece of history back to life. It’ll be a great time to chat and catch up over our hour-long flight.” “I’ve known for years and we’ll each get a turn to fly. “Doc is a piece of history, and the Tibbets name is historic because anyone who knows WWII knows about the general’s grandfather, Paul Tibbets Jr.,” said Novak. “When we have the opportunity to embrace that kind of heritage and that kind of history, it’s a real privilege and an honor.”īefore the flight, Doc’s pilot, Mark Novak, described the significance of having Tibbets IV on board. “It’s really about upholding the legacy of those who have come before,” he said.
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Now, 72 years after the historic WWII mission and nearly 10 years after the passing of his grandfather, Tibbets IV, who is traditionally a B-1 Lancer pilot and currently a B-2 Spirit pilot, once again boarded a B-29 to honor his grandfather. It was a great opportunity for me to be with him.” He and I got to fly Fifi together, which was awesome. “He had given up aviation and had not flown in any aircraft in a very long time. “The only time I ever flew with my grandfather was with Fifi,” said Tibbets IV. Paul Tibbets Jr., who piloted the B-29 Enola Gay when the aircraft and its crew dropped an atomic bomb on Japan, helping end World War II. In 1998, Tibbets IV, flew Fifi with his grandfather, retired Brig. Taking control of the aircraft means he has now flown the only two currently operational B-29s, Doc and Fifi.
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Paul Tibbets IV, 509th Bomb Wing commander. Tibbets is survived by his wife, Andrea, and three sons, Paul III, Gene and James.Wichita’s beloved B-29 Superfortress, Doc, took to the skies yet again June 9, from McConnell Air Force Base, this time with an added aspect of historical significance and Air Force heritage.
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Instead, his family plans to scatter his ashes over the English Channel, where he loved to fly. Because of that, he asked that there be no funeral or gravestone because he did not want to give protesters a place to gather. Over the years, when Tibbets would make public appearances, his presence often would attract protesters. In 1995, when the Smithsonian proposed displaying “Enola Gay” in the context of the suffering the bombing caused, Tibbets described it as “a damn big insult.” Tibbets responded that he had no regrets for his role in the bombing of Hiroshima, because it saved thousands of lives - both Allied and Japanese - by averting the need for a ground-based invasion of Japan to end the war. In the years after the war Tibbets became a target of anti-nuclear groups and those who argued that the dropping of atomic bombs was unnecessary, on the premise that Japan eventually would have capitulated to the Allies, anyway. He continued working in aviation for many years after leaving the military, and traveled the country making speeches about his wartime experiences. Brigadier General Leslie Groves, director of the Manhattan Project, selected Paul Tibbets to be responsible for organizing and training the flight crew and for the role of pilot on the Enola Gay. (Febru November 1, 2007) was the pilot of the Enola Gay. Tibbets remained in the Air Force after World War II, rising to the rank of brigadier general before retirement. Enola Gay Facts - 24: Paul Warfield Tibbets, Jr. A few days later a second atomic bomb was dropped on Nagasaki, which resulted in Japan’s surrender. At least 70,000 people were killed and the blast destroyed much of the city. In the bomb bay was the world’s first nuclear weapon. 6, 1945, piloting a specially modified B-29 named “Enola Gay” after his mother, Tibbets led a raid on Hiroshima. He commanded the 340th Bomb Squadron and flew 25 missions in B-17s over Europe and North Africa before returning to the United States to train in B-29s. He planned to have a career in medicine, but when World War II broke out he joined the Army Air Corps. He had been in failing health in recent months. 1 at the age of 92 at his home in Columbus, Ohio. Paul Tibbets, pilot of the aircraft that dropped the first atomic bomb, died Nov.