While based at Griffiss, the squadron's members named their B-29s after characters in the Disney movie Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, and 44-69972 became Doc.

[5] Preparations to return Doc to flight began in 1987 under the direction of Tony Mazzolini, an Air Force veteran who later worked for Continental Airlines.

The airframe was acquired by the United States Aviation Museum of Cleveland, Ohio, for restoration to flight status.

As of June 2014, all four overhauled engines and propellers had been reinstalled, a spokesperson for the group stating at that time that the aircraft would be airborne by the end the year.

[9] On May 11, 2016, the restoration crew performed the first of many low-speed taxi tests as the final preparations for the post-restoration flight began.

[13][14] Take off was delayed due to issues with the forward bomb bay doors latching shut, and the flight was conducted with the undercarriage down.