BUILDING PRATT HISTORY
PAAF parachute shop
The parachute shop, one of five Pratt Army Air Field buildings remaining, is being converted to a museum showcasing PAAF and the B-29 plane.

Source: The Texas Scribbler
Bringing The Thunder
Pilot Gordon Bennett Robertson Jr.'s first fire-bomb run over Tokyo in March, 1945 took him through boiling thermals produced by the conflagration about 5,000 feet below. They bounced his B-29 up and down and then flipped the sixty-ton bomber onto its back. He was able to recover only through a Split-S maneuver he'd practiced flying fighters in training.

In case you missed it, here is a story from last August in the Hutch News about the old Pratt Army Air Base.
His war effort saved lives
Resident one of (the) welders whose B-29 modifications spared crewmen in WWII

Monday, November 23, 2009

Source: Mean Bean Machine

Fruitful Searching

Every day last week, the History Channel aired a special about WWII. It got me thinking. My grandpa Ralph was in the Air Force, and I'm curious about his experiences.

Source: Pratt Tribune

Pratt, Kan. - The historical records of the World War II 29th Bomb Group are going to make Pratt their home. The 29th was one of several groups that trained on the B-29s in Pratt.

Source: Pratt Tribune

Pratt, Kan. -

Joe Chovelak, (white cap) stands next to fellow 29th Bomb Wing soldier Gene Bowers as they talk with Bowers’ wife Pat at the presentation of the 29th Bomb Wing historical records to the Pratt B-29 All Veteran’s Museum Complex on Tuesday.

The World War II 29th Bomb Group Historian, Joseph J. Chovelak , will be honored at an open house at the Pratt Senior Citizen Center in Pratt Kansas on September 22nd from 4:00 p.m. until 6:00 p.m.

Ben Robertson has a new website about his book, "Bringing The Thunder".

WESLEY P. HESTER TIMES-DISPATCH STAFF WRITER
Published: June 29, 2009

"©Richmond Times-Dispatch. Used by permission."

Today, the Pratt Airport Authority voted 5 - 0 to give the B29 Museum Inc. Organization the Parachute Shop to be restored and used as a Bombers On The Prairie Museum.