Postwar
This B-29 operated from Roswell Army Air Field in New Mexico. In 1946, during "Operation Crossroads" flown from the United States to Kwajalein but was not used to drop any of the atomic bombs that were tested.

Afterwards, transferred to the Smithsonian Institution, and spent many years parked outdoors at U.S. air bases. In 1961, transported to the National Air & Space Museum (NASM) Paul Garber Facility. Between 1984–1995 the wings, engine and cockpit were restored for a special exhibit. Between 1995–2003 the rest of the restoration was completed. On April 10, 2003 the fuselage and wings were assembled into a complete aircraft.

Restoration
By 1995, the wings, engine and cockpit were placed on display at the NASM Paul Garber Facility. During March 2003 to June 2003, the restored pieces were shipped to the new National Air & Space Museum (NASM) Udvar-Hazy Center.

Display
During 1995, on the 50th anniversary of World War II, the wings, engine and cockpit were displayed at the National Air & Space Museum as part of the exhibit "The Crossroads: The End of World War II, the Atomic Bomb and the Cold War". This was the first time "Enola Gay" had ever been displayed in public and the accompanying exhibit was deemed controversial because some felt it focused too much on the Japanese side of the bombing . As a result of the controversy, National Air and Space Museum director Maritn O. Harwit resigned. In protest to the exhibit and the display of "Enola Gay", a protester threw red paint on the carpet to represent blood. On July 2, 1995, three people were arrested for throwing ash and human blood on the fuselage. On May 18, 1998 the exhibition closed due to public opinion and protest.

Afterwards, the pieces displayed were returned to the NASM Paul Garber Facility to complete the restoration of the entire bomber. On April 10, 2003 the fuselage and wings were assembled at National Air & Space Museum (NASM) Udvar-Hazy Center.

On December 15, 2003 the fully restored B-29 was unveiled during the opening of the National Air & Space Museum (NASM) Udvar-Hazy Center. For the permanent display, the bomber is lifted off the ground with jacks with catwalks allowing visitors to see the nose view and look down from above. A clear protective shield protects the nose from vandalism by atomic protesters.

Memorials
Caron passed away June 3, 1995 at age 75. He is buried at Fort Logan National Cemetery at section 8, site 1106.

Tibbets passed away November 1, 2007 at age 92. He was cremated with his ashes scattered across the English Channel.

References
USAF Serial Number Search Results - B-29-45-MO Superfortress 44-86292
"86292 To the Martin Modification Center, Omaha, NB, for Code Silverplate conversion for the carriage of atomic weapons. Converted to Silverplate Victor number 82, was *Enola Gay*, which dropped atomic bomb on Hiroshima Aug 6, 1945. For many years was in storage at Paul Garber facility at NASM, Washington DC. Fuselage put on display at NASM for 50th anniversary of Hiroshima bombing. Has now been moved to and is fully assembled at the Smithsonian's Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center at Washington-Dulles IAP."
FindAGrave - Virtual Cemetery Enola Gay Crew
FindAGrave - BG Paul Warfield Tibbets, Jr (photos, biography)
FindAGrave - George Robert “Bob” Caron (photos, grave photo)

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Last Updated
November 9, 2019