Warbird Information Exchange

JOINT NEWS RELEASE
COMMEMORATIVE AIR FORCE HEADQUARTERS
Midland, TX
CAVANAUGH FLIGHT MUSEUM CONTACT: Autumn Esparza
Addison, TX Director of Membership and
Public Relations

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Jim Cavanaugh to Sponsor CAF B-29 Bomber - FIFI

The Cavanaugh Flight Museum (“CFM”) and the Commemorative Air Force (“CAF”) announced today a Cooperative Agreement that will put the world’s only airworthy B-29 back in the air. Jim Cavanaugh has pledged $1.2 million sponsorship for the re-engine project of FIFI, the CAF’s world famous B-29. “This sponsorship, together with additional donations from CAF members, should go a long way towards completing the project of putting FIFI back in the air again,” said Stephan Brown, President / CEO of the CAF. “Fundraising for FIFI by the CAF will continue, as we still have other restoration maintenance to perform, but Jim Cavanaugh’s generosity will get us a long way down that track,” Brown continued. Cavanaugh is the main financial support for the CFM and has been a long time benefactor of warbird projects and the CAF. “The B-29 played such a significant role in history that it is important that this airplane be preserved. Because of my close relationship with the CAF, I felt the need to get FIFI flying again,” said Cavanaugh.

Additionally, the B-29/B-24 Squadron Staff of the CAF, which has been assigned with the responsibility of operating the B-29 and the B-24A, voted unanimously to base these two airplanes at the CFM. According to Lyn Fite, CAF B-29 / B-24 Squadron Leader, “Up to now, these aircraft were based out of Midland, but this unit move will be beneficial to the Squadron in many ways,” said Fite. “We will reside in Addison Texas, at the CFM, for six months, while we perform annual maintenance and we will tour on behalf of the CAF, by our crews, for the other six months.” Steve Sheridan Director of Maintenance of CFM exclaimed, “We have the facilities and resources to assist the volunteers of the B-29/B24 and look forward to helping in any way we can.” According to Doug Jeanes, Director of the CFM, visitors of the museum will be able to view this spectacular aircraft during its annual maintenance, at no additional cost.

The Cavanaugh Flight Museum is a non-profit 501(c)(3) educational organization devoted to promoting aviation studies and to perpetuating America's aviation heritage; the museum fulfills its mission by restoring, operating, maintaining and displaying historically-significant, vintage aircraft, and by collecting materials related to the history of aviation.

The Commemorative Air Force is a nonprofit aviation association dedicated to Honoring American Military Aviation, through Flight, Exhibition and Remembrance. The CAF has more than 8000 members within 75 units worldwide, flying and restoring 171 vintage Warbirds.

For more information of the Commemorative Air Force or the Cavanaugh Flight Museum, go to www.commemorativeairforce.org or www.cavanaughflightmuseum.com


Gary

Great news. A big pat on the back for Jim Cavanaugh and everyone else involved.

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I have known Jim Cavanaugh for the majority of my 18 years and this generous action exemplifies his unwavering passion for the aviation community. His enthusiasm and support is unsurpassed. With the aircraft at Cavanaugh's facility and in the company of individuals like Doug Jeanes, we can rest assured that it is in the best possible care. There is no better place for this aircraft to end up. I also know many B-24 B-29 Squadron members and officers. Their hard work and stewardship has kept these two beautiful examples of flying freedom in the air. I look forward to becoming a member and assisting them in the restoration efforts since they will be in my own back yard. This is a superb example of many people putting the best interests of the plane first and hopefully this is the start of an era of close cooperation between the many aviation museums across the country.

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Taylor Stevenson

That sounds like great news Gary... but what will this mean for you and the support team? Another move? Addison's about 350miles from Midland. OUCH!

All the best,
Richard

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Richard Mallory Allnutt - Photography - http://www.rmallnutt.com

Just got the news via CFM and was on my way here to post it! Fan-dammn-tastic news! And with an honorable and committed man like Jim at the other end of the deal, you know it's going to get done!

Congrats and thanks to all who made this happen!

My only question is in regards to the CFM base of ops for the B-29 and B-24... is there really room? I seem to recall the hangars pretty full up and the taxiway to get there really tight. Expansion plans?

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Ryan Keough
Stow, MA

...or will some of those CFM birds go occupy the empty space in Midland?
B-29 roadtrip...that'll make some neat photos..

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DBF

Great news. That is what is so cool about the aviation world.

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Chris Henry
EAA Aviation Museum Manager

Great news indeed. We are very excided. We do have one of the old Collins hangars now which will hold the planes. We also have expansion plans in the works. I do want to point out that the B29/B24 squadron members will be doing the work. Most are closer to Dallas than Midland.

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Blue Skies,
Doug

www.cavanaughflightmuseum.com

Great news indeed! Still have to get Fifi back in the air! But, both will eventually be much closer to me (live south of Ft Worth, but work in Dallas). Gary, I knew I should have called the other day and talked to you and Lyn, but let some silly 25th anniversary stuff get in the way. Major kudos to Doug and Mr C., Lyn Fite, CAF General Staff, Mr Brown, Gary, B-29/B-24 Sqdn, and Neils Agather, et al., for brainstorming to make this work ! Alan
http://www.cafb29b24.org/

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Just call me Al.

It will be much, much easier to travel via airlines to the Dallas area than Midland.

Is the original donation which would put you guys way over the top out of equation for good

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Don't touch my junk!!

Thank you Mr. C!

More importantly, thank you to all who work for CFM, plus those associated with the CFM & CAF who've helped ensure this happens. It will be great to get to see Fifi and Ole '927 at the museum. I think I may have to add another CAF Wing membership on now...

great i finally get to see fifi again.. havent seen her since abotu 97. one question for the CAF people.... im an A&P student and cant afford dues and such for CAF and wings, when it gets up here anyway i come and help work on them? i want all the warbird experience i can get.

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Jon

How are they going to move FiFi?

My guess is that she'll be flown there....

I would think they'd finish the re-engining and restoration work and then fly her to ADS when they get done.