Leeham News and Analysis
There's more to real news than a news release.
Book Review: Rescuing DOC: The Tale of a B-29’s Triumphant Return to Wichita
Editor’s Note: The Oshkosh Air Show began this week. One of the airplanes to come to the show is the Boeing B-29, “Doc.” LNA’s partner, AINOnline, reviewed the book written by the organization that restored “Doc” to flying status. Here’s a preview of the review with a link to the full review at the bottom of this post. I had the opportunity to fly in “Doc” in 2022. My story is here. — Scott Hamilton.
AIN’s Oshgosh show news may be followed here.
Rescuing DOC: The Tale of a B-29’s Triumphant Return to Wichita
Effort involved decades of negotiations and restoration, but Wichita’s deep labor pool came through
While many might consider Wichita’s role in aviation history through the recent lens of the numerous Citations, Learjets, King Airs, and other aircraft produced by its manufacturers, the city has carried the sobriquet of Air Capital of the World since the late 1920s.
During World War II, Boeing’s Wichita factory churned out more than 1,600 B-29 Superfortress bombers, and the story of how one of them returned as an abandoned wreck and was restored to become only the second of its type still airworthy is told by Wichita-based Dave Franson, a veteran aviation industry publicist.
Every story requires a protagonist, and in Franson’s new book, Rescuing DOC, that is Cleveland native Tony Mazzolini, who served in the U.S. Air Force during the Korean War as a flight engineer, having enlisted fresh out of high school.
The first half of the book is relayed to the author as first-person narrative and describes how Mazzolini got the idea to rescue a B-29, his quest to locate a viable candidate for restoration, and the eventual hoops he was forced to jump through to gain title to the four-engine bomber that had lain forgotten at the China Lake weapon test range in the California desert for more than four decades.
The full book review may be found on AINOnline here. The book may be purchased here.
AIN Media Group completes the purchase of Leeham News & Analysis
July 17, 2025, © Leeham News: AIN Media Group today completed the purchase of Leeham News & Analysis.
The acquisition was announced June 17 during the Paris Air Show.
AIN is a 50-year old privately held media company. It’s best known for covering business and corporate aviation and the future flight sector. LNA focuses on commercial aviation, specializing in airframe and engine Original Equipment Manufacturers, the supply chain and future flight concepts in commercial aviation.
Complementary news coverage strengthens both and brings resources to LNA to broaden its coverage. LNA’s experienced editors, analysts and writers remain in place and the focus of its coverage remains unchanged.
Related Information
Leeham Co. LLC and Leeham Consulting remain independently owned and operated.
Pontifications: A Personal Note
By Scott Hamilton
June 19, 2025, © Leeham News, Paris: The big news for LNA at this Paris Air Show this week had nothing to do with aerospace companies.
On Tuesday, it was jointly announced by AIN Media Group and Leeham Co LLC, parent of LNA, that AIN is acquiring LNA. We expect the transaction to close next month, awaiting documentation from the lawyers.
Leeham Co LLC and its other business, Leeham Consulting, remains with my partner, Bjorn Fehrm and me. We also remain with LNA. For the first time since 1989, I will report to a boss.
Talk about a mental adjustment.
AIN Media Group Agrees to Acquire Leeham News & Analysis
From left, AIN Media Group Chairman Emeritus Wilson Leach; Leeham News Editor Scott Hamilton; AIN Media President Ruben Kempeneer; and Leeham News Aeronautical and Economic Analyst Bjorn Fehrm. Credit: AIN.
PARIS, JUNE 17, 2025 – AIN Media Group Inc (AIN), a global leader in aviation news, events and data, and Leeham Company LLC, a premier source for in-depth aerospace and airline industry insights, have reached an agreement in principle under which AIN will acquire Leeham News & Analysis (LNA), adding to AIN’s product portfolio. Completion of the transaction, anticipated to be in July, is subject to the execution of customary documentation.
For nearly two decades, Leeham News & Analysis has been a trusted authority, providing expert coverage of aircraft technology, economics, fleet planning, maintenance, repair and overhaul strategy, and market trends. The addition of Leeham’s specialized reporting and analytical expertise will enhance the depth and breadth of commercial aviation intelligence available to AIN’s global readership. Leeham News will continue to publish under its current brand.
AIN Media Group founder and Chairman Emeritus Wilson Leach commented, “The Board of Directors is committed to the expansion of AIN as an essential resource for the global aviation industry. The acquisition of Leeham News is a huge milestone towards achieving that goal. It is a win for Leeham News, a win for AIN, but most importantly—it is a win for our customers and for the global aviation industry, which now has wider access to the most specialized aerospace reporting and analytical expertise available.”
“Leeham News & Analysis has built an outstanding reputation for delivering sharp, insightful aviation reporting on the air transport and aerospace sectors,” said Ruben Kempeneer, president of AIN Media. “By bringing Leeham’s expertise into the AIN family, we are expanding our ability to provide readers with even more critical industry insights, expert commentary, and exclusive coverage of key aviation developments.”