BW Boeing-Wichita
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44-70113 B-29-80-BW
SWEET ELOISE
On outdoor display at the main gate of Dobbins ARB, Georgia.
- Name on aircraft is not original.
- This aircraft was originally named "Marilyn Gay" during WWII.
- It was renamed "Hoof Hearted" after the war during it's service in England. The B-29 Superfortress Association named the aircraft "Sweet Eloise" in a ceremony in the 1990's.
- Originally stationed in Saipan with the 73rd BW, 500BG, 883rd BS. Shot down 3 fighters and possibly 3 more.Flew 27 combat missions and 5 POW missions.
- Sent to Aberdeen Proving Grounds in 1956.
- Recovered in 1973 and moved in pieces to the now defunct Florence Air and Missile Museum in South Carolina.
- Aircraft was left in the open disassembled until 1989.
- After reassembly, while aircraft was being towed to its display spot, the fuselage split at two seams and collapsed.
- The museum hadn't properly bolted the fuselage sections together and the plane could not stand the strain.
- The aircraft was abandoned where it fell.
- Further damage was caused by Hurricane Hugo.
- The nose section was rolled onto its side.
- The aircraft lay derelict until obtained by the B-29 Superfortress Association at Dobbins ARB.
- This group had formed with the intention of getting and displaying a B-29 at Dobbins ARB.
- After failing to get "Enola Gay" from the Smithsonian (and several other B-29's),
they were able to obtain the Florence aircraft.
- The components were removed and sent to various vo-tech schools for restoration.
- Restoration was conducted between 1994-1996.
The aircraft is now on display at the main entrance to Dobbins ARB and illuminated at night.
- Cosmetic restoration only. Nothing was attempted on the interior.
The nose glass is an aluminum fake. The side blisters are from a Burger King children's play area. Gun turrets are fake with plastic pipe for guns. Missing hatches were plated over. Entire aircraft is painted gray/white.
- The name and nose art was never carried by this aircraft, although it does have the number and tail code it wore in WWII.
- This aircraft was a lead ship, yet the dorsal stripe was not applied.
Outdoor display.