Wichita City Council approves long-term lease with Doc’s Friends for B-29 Hangar and Education Center

The Wichita City Council today (Feb. 27, 2018) approved a long-term lease with Doc’s Friends, Inc., for the B-29 Doc Hangar and Education Center. The 40-year lease is effective March 1, 2018 and is the final step need before major construction can begin on the hangar project at Eisenhower National Airport. 

“Doc is a national treasure, and keeping the historic B-29 in Wichita where it was first built in 1944 and then restored by a team of dedicated volunteers is a commitment we made at the beginning of our restoration project,” said Jeff Turner, Doc’s Friends, Inc., board chairman. “Building the B-29 Doc Hangar and Education Center at Eisenhower National Airport will give the public the chance to visit, learn and experience the living history of the B-29 Superfortress like no other facility of its kind.”

The new home for Doc will be a 32,000 sq.ft. interactive B-29 hangar and education center, giving generations to come a one-of-a-kind opportunity to enjoy and experience this prominent figure in our nation’s history. Doc will act as a backdrop inside the facility for the public to enjoy up-close and hands-on bits of science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) that go hand in hand with aviation.

“We are so thankful to the City of Wichita and the Wichita Airport Authority for their support of our project that will honor our nation’s heroes, while connecting and educating future generations about the B-29’s role in our nation’s history–including Doc’s place in Wichita’s rich aviation history,” Turner said.

HOW CAN YOU GET INVOLVED? Click here to purchase a brick or paver to celebrate your hero, family member or favorite warbird enthusiast!