Preserving history: The Great Artiste is refurbished

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Danielle Quilla
  • 509th Bomb Wing Public Affairs
WHITEMAN AIR FORCE BASE, Mo. --  Airmen from the 509th Maintenance Squadron are performing a total refurbishment of the Boeing B-29 Superfortress static display located at the Spirit Gate of Whiteman Air Force Base, Missouri.

The refurbishment began on May 16 and it is scheduled to be completed within three to four weeks, depending on weather.

“This refurbishment will ensure a part of Air Force history is upheld for future generations,” said David Grisdale, the 509th Bomb Wing director of historical properties. “This project will not cause any disturbance to the base populace, and it will not interrupt traffic flow entering and exiting the base.”

During the total refurbishment, the B-29 static display will be sanded, primed and repainted to continue to honor the legacy of The Great Artiste. It features a black, white and red cartoon-like picture of a man wearing a tuxedo beneath the title “The Great Artiste,” which is thought to be a reference to bombardier Capt. Kermit Beahan’s skills in the aircraft and also with women.

The Great Artiste was assigned to the 393d Bomb Squadron in the 509th Composite Group prior to World War II. It was the only aircraft to fly on both atomic bomb missions on Hiroshima and Nagasaki in 1945.

Unfortunately, the original aircraft was lost during a crash landing at Goose Bay Air Base, in Labrador, Canada, in 1949. So, another B-29 was painted as a replica for static display. The static display was eventually moved to Whiteman AFB from Pease AFB when the New Hampshire base closed in 1991. Today, Whiteman is home to the 393d Bomb Squadron and the 509th Bomb Wing.

The handful of static displays at Whiteman AFB are constantly being evaluated for damage, corrosion, needed repairs and cleanliness. Refurbishment is scheduled on an as-needed basis.

“Preserving these pieces of historic property are important to upholding our heritage and our public image,” Grisdale said. “This is all accomplished through the great skills, efforts and teamwork of Team Whiteman.”