Good video here from You Tube user "blancolirio" - a retired USAF fighter pilot who puts together factual videos about aviation matters for a hobby - often to debunk journalistic and political bandwagon nonsense that occurs after accidents. He is a historic aircraft owner himself.
The aircraft was built in 1944 too late to participate in WWII but was used for atomic bomb tests in 1952. It was left abandoned in the NV desert 1952 to 1965.
1965 stripped for spares to support the firefighting air tanker industry - then in 1977 restored and used as a tanker itself until 1985.
Bought by Collings Foundation in 1985.
Explanation of FAA regulations for inspections, checks and operation of historic aircraft from 07:51.