EVANSVILLE — Two of the rarest and most legendary aircraft from World War II are bound for the Tri-State this summer, offering residents an up-close encounter with the machines that powered the Allied victory.
The B-29 DOC History Restored Tour will make a highly anticipated stop at the Evansville Wartime Museum and Evansville Regional Airport from July 30 through August 2, 2026. The four-day event will feature ground tours, cockpit access, and the rare opportunity to book a live flight experience on legendary wartime aircraft.
The tour brings together two iconic airplanes whose surviving numbers can be counted on just a few fingers:
The Boeing B-29 Superfortress (DOC) is one of 1,164 B-29 bombers built in Wichita, Kansas, during the war. DOC is one of only two airworthy models still flying in the entire world today. The heavy bomber played a decisive role in the Pacific Theater.
The P-51 Mustang (Gunfighter) is a rare D-model variant of America’s premier long-range escort fighter. While roughly 15,000 P-51s were produced to guard bombers over Europe and Asia, fewer than 150 remain in existence today.
“Aircraft like DOC and Gunfighter represent the innovation, craftsmanship, and determination that defined America’s wartime manufacturing effort,” said B-29 DOC Aircraft Commander Steve Zimmerman. “Bringing these two warbirds to Evansville highlights the connection between the workers on the home front and the air crews who answered the call.”
The visit holds deep historical resonance for the city. Recognizing its massive industrial contribution to the war effort, the National Park Service officially designated Evansville as an American World War II Heritage City.
During the 1940s, the local economy rapidly pivoted, with more than 250 local businesses manufacturing over 300 wartime products. Notable operations included the Evansville Ordnance Plant and the local shipyard that constructed massive tank landing ships (LSTs).
Most famously, Evansville’s Republic Aviation factory built 6,242 P-47 Thunderbolt fighter planes. One of those original aircraft—the Hoosier Spirit II—now resides permanently at the Evansville Wartime Museum as Indiana’s official State Aircraft, sitting just a mile from where it rolled off the assembly line in 1944.
From Republic Aviation’s P-47 Thunderbolt factory to the LST Shipyard and the Evansville Ordinance Plant, Evansville helped supply the tools that supported victory overseas, noted Meredith Marshall, Administrator of the Evansville Wartime Museum.
Both aircraft will be stationed on the ramp and open for public viewing whenever they are not operating scheduled ride flights. Ground visitors will have the unique opportunity to step inside the cockpit of the massive B-29 DOC.
| Date | Ramp Access & Ground Tours | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Thursday, July 30 | 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. | Last cockpit ticket sold at 3:00 p.m. |
| Friday, July 31 | 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. | Last cockpit ticket sold at 3:00 p.m. |
| Saturday, August 1 | 9:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. | Cockpit tours open around flight schedules; last ticket at 3:30 p.m. |
| Sunday, August 2 | 9:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. | Cockpit tours open around flight schedules; last ticket at 3:30 p.m. |
Ground admission tickets can be purchased directly at the gate during the event:
- Adults (Ages 16+): $20
- Children (Ages 5–15): $10
- Young Children (Ages 0–4): Free
- Family Rate: $60 for a family of four
For those looking to experience the sights, sounds, and physical roar of radial engines from inside the sky, ride flight tickets are limited and must be booked in advance. Seats can be reserved online through the official operator websites at www.b29doc.com/rides and www.p51gunfighter.com/schedule.
