Background of B-29 Museum Inc. Organization

In 2002, a local Pratt Kansas citizen and retired businessman, Jack McCawley, had an opportunity to view a video about the role of Kansas Army Air Fields in the development of the Boeing B-29 Superfortress.

The video was produced for Smoky Hills Public Television and titled “Bombers On The Prairie, The B-29 In Kansas”. Jason Cromer a Pratt Kansas native, who is the son of John and Patty Cromer, was instrumental in the production of the video.

Mr. McCawley started thinking that Pratt should build a Memorial to honor the servicemen who trained at the Pratt Army Air Field in WW II. In fact, that is what happened and Pratt dedicated its Memorial in 2003. The Memorial scope was extended to honor all of Pratt's veterans as well as those who served at the Pratt Army Air Field. The Memorial is located on the grounds of the Pratt Industrial Airport and was named "B-29 All Veterans Memorial". The Memorial and the surrounding area has been recently (2006) renamed again as the “Pratt All Veterans Memorial Complex”.

Subsequently a 501(c)3 nonprofit Organization was established in 2004 to explore the possibility of building a Museum near the Memorial honoring the Pratt Army Air Field which existed from 1943 – 1945 and which later became the location of the current Pratt Industrial Airport.

After an unsuccessful attempt to secure an old WW II Hangar at the Pratt Industrial Airport, the B-29 Museum Inc. organization decided to expand its scope in 2008. They now plan to establish a Museum and additional structures to honor all of the Kansas Army Air Fields who were involved with the development of the B-29. The name of the Museum will be “Bombers On The Prairie Museum”. Smoky Hill Public Television has graciously allowed B-29 Museum Inc. to use the "Bombers On The Prairie" phrase and a variation of its associated "logo" for the Museum project.