Restoring a Classic

Restoring a complex wonder of engineering and science like RB-47 4299 was not for the faint of heart. The five-year project involved meticulous surgery on minute electronics and huge structural elements.

 Jack Kovacs stayed on top of that project from the fall of 1998, monitoring the Air Force Museum Restoration staff’s rehab of the RB-47H until completion in March 2003. From the time of its arrival at Wright Patterson from Salina, KS, where it had fallen into a very bad state of deterioration, until its ‘rebirth’, Jack was a frequent figure at the site, lovingly documenting each step with photos, and keeping the Board of Directors updated, and the Association web page filled with info on the restoration progress. For anyone who flew in, worked on, or supported the ol’ Boeing beauty, the end result is a sight to behold and is sure to bring out the nostalgia in each heart and memory. There would be one more chance to view 4299 and even climb aboard at the Dayton reunion in September 2004. Who could resist that? She was the centerpiece of the Cold War exhibit. The crows and navs who did crawl aboard to a man remarked that “the space seemed bigger back then!” The aircraft flew operational strategic reconnaissance missions for the 55th SRW at Forbes AFB, KS, in the 1950s and 1960s, and she looks like she is ready to get airborne once more.

RB-47H 4299 is featured at the Air Force Museum at Wright Patterson AFB today. There are a fact sheet, history, high level specs, and a great set of photographs highlighting that graceful bird.