Take a flight in FIFI........

[B25PBYGUY]

Gary, I thought that was you sitting sideways - (ah, backwards). Nice job starting those 3350's. After seeing this, and earlier effort I was able to participate in 3 yrs. ago with the "Cats", I feel confident that should you throw in the aviation towel, you'll make one hell of a director of aviation films. Well done.
That was almost enough to make me wish to upgrade from Captain to,....wait for it........Colonel.
Seriously though, I do need to chat with you about gathering some B-29 manuals etc. in the future.
Bob

[retroaviation]

Yep, that was me in the F.E.'s seat in the video. All of my videos have some silly little "cameo" appearance in them.

Just e-mail or PM me anytime regarding the B-29 manuals. I'll help however I can.

Gary

[Jiggersfromsphilly]

Thank You Gary.

I had a chance several years ago to be at the Airport in Northeast Philly when you came and when you departed. There is no finer sound than heavy metal in the morning.

Thank You again!

[B25PBYGUY]

Thanks, say hello to AB. I'm off to work on the Belle again today...

[Dan K]

I was told recently by a somewhat disgruntled ol' volunteer that I was "the one and only single reason that FIFI hasn't flown in nearly two years now." Perhaps he was right, but I obviously had pretty good reasons for doing the repairs we did.

I'm sorry, but I have a low threshhold of patience for moronic comments like that--even if made by an old timer (In fact, he should know better).

Once, while putting in ANOTHER volunteer Saturday banging away on someone else's hangar queen, some self-proclaimed expert wandered up and declared how he could not understand why this restoration was taking sooo long to be completed. I simply handed him the bit I was working on and replied, "Friend, if you can show me how to make this chunk work/fit any faster, I'm all ears." I honestly don't remember what he muttered back while wandering off.

Don't let anybody get you down, Gary...not when there are this many people cheering you on. Git 'er done and keep 'em flyin'.

[retroaviation]

Don't let anybody get you down, Gary...not when there are this many people cheering you on. Git 'er done and keep 'em flyin'.

Oh, I try not to let comments like that bother me, although admittingly, they sometimes do. Perhaps I just posted that just so folks here can see that everyone doesn't cheer me on like y'all do. I dunno. Probably should've just kept it to myself. But it's okay, I'm still here (for now) and still have every intention of getting that big 'ol silver airplane back in the air.

Gary

[Aircraft Mech Paul]

Gary,

Superb Video. I really like the inflight footage of Lil flying along side. It's a perspective that very few of us get to see in person. Thank you very much for posting it.

Paul

[maxum96]

Fantastic video. I have made a few music videos and I know they are a ton of work to put together. Thanks for sharing your impressive work with us. I also would like to compliment you about your work with FIFI and Diamond Lil. Your craftsmanship looks second to none.

Gary, I had a question for you seeing as how your the FE on FIFI. Do you still use the cabin pressurization system on FIFI when you fly? Or is it not used because of the stresses pressurization puts on an airframe and you do not want to put any more wear and tear on FIFI than is necessary?


Thanks again,
Doug

[retroaviation]

Gary, I had a question for you seeing as how your the FE on FIFI. Do you still use the cabin pressurization system on FIFI when you fly? Or is it not used because of the stresses pressurization puts on an airframe and you do not want to put any more wear and tear on FIFI than is necessary?

First of all Doug, welcome to WIX!

Second, no, we don't pressurize FIFI at all. I don't think it's ever been pressurized while in CAF hands. There is simply no need for us to go up high enough to need it and we typically cruise around 6,000 ft. or less. After all, we want people to see the airplane. And yes, it would simply be too much unnecessary strain on the fuselage, in my opinion.

Furthermore, the turbo-superchargers were removed from the airplane many years ago. Only the housings currently exist in order to hold the exit stacks for the exhaust on. Our new engines that we plan on putting on the airplane will have bigger internal superchargers than the original engines, so if needed, we will be able to more easily get to 10,000 ft. and still maintain a "reasonable" manifold pressure.

I hope that answers your question.

Thanks for the comments on the video. I'm glad everyone is enjoying it.

Gary

[maxum96]

First of all Doug, welcome to WIX!

Second, no, we don't pressurize FIFI at all. I don't think it's ever been pressurized while in CAF hands. There is simply no need for us to go up high enough to need it and we typically cruise around 6,000 ft. or less. After all, we want people to see the airplane. And yes, it would simply be too much unnecessary strain on the fuselage, in my opinion.

Furthermore, the turbo-superchargers were removed from the airplane many years ago. Only the housings currently exist in order to hold the exit stacks for the exhaust on. Our new engines that we plan on putting on the airplane will have bigger internal superchargers than the original engines, so if needed, we will be able to more easily get to 10,000 ft. and still maintain a "reasonable" manifold pressure.

I hope that answers your question.

Thanks for the comments on the video. I'm glad everyone is enjoying it.

Gary

Thanks for your quick response. That did answer my question. I didn't think you (CAF) flew very high, but I was just curious on the pressurization issue. Thanks again and have a great new year.


Doug

[Chris Brame]

Great job on the video, Gary - you did everything but hang by your knees out the bomb bay! The shots through the bombsight and gunsight were surprising and really added to the experience. What camera did you use?

[K5DH]

Gary, I really enjoyed the Fifi video! Excellent job. The aerial footage of Niagra Falls was especially nice.

Is there any way I could get a copy of the video on CD or DVD? I'll pay for it if necessary.

[maxum96]

Gary, I really enjoyed the Fifi video! Excellent job. The aerial footage of Niagra Falls was especially nice.

Is there any way I could get a copy of the video on CD or DVD? I'll pay for it if necessary.

How about a link that we could download it from?

Have you ever wondered what it's like to fly in FIFI? Well, Randy Wilson was kind enough to host a video I made on his website that shows a small glimpse of what it looks like on a typical flight........from the inside, looking out. The only exterior shot of the airplane is from the "long line" position, as the engines are being started.

Enjoy.......

Gary

Gary - thanks for that fantastic video. We appreciate greatly the work that you and others have done and are doing to share this unique and wonderful airplane with us. There is nothing like the sight and sound of those radial engines being fired up, and seeing and hearing the B-29 in flight.

Thanks again and best wishes with the FIFI project.

Jim C.

[Ztex]

Very cool!

Thanks for sharing that with us.

Questions...the belly shots, was that a hand held camera or a remote...looks like one heck of a place to ride...

And do you have the startup video with out the music? or might I say with the engine "music" only?

Z