Warbird Information Exchange

Good update Dave. I look forward to #4

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I'm getting alot of stuff together but need help setting it up??

Dave

Dave, I read another post that said there are 5 FiFi engines in the works.
So are they divided between the 2 outfits we now know that are doing at least 1 each? If not wheres the other 3? And has the one run yet?

will this thread ever make sticky?

I have tried to provide the info to at least get some folks to take notice? If you want something other than what I've posted, please let me know?
The B-29 re-engine project, is in full swing and I will continue to post updates as I can. There are currently 2 engine builders working on the new engines for FIFI. Jeff Abbott is working on building the first engine we started with and Ray Anderson is working on the second. As far as I know right now, Ray will have a running engine in 2 or 3 weeks! When I get the call that's its on the test stand, I'll be there to monitor the test runs. Other than that, come on down, we what yer help!
Dave

I'm sure those engines are going to be light years better than what FiFi had before. Good choice of places to have them done as well.
Now we need Shell oil and anyother oil company to sponser FiFi and the Berlin C-97 I'd like to see them flying in formation, to their home Seattle wa.

Well, if you know one of those oil exec's that would be willing to sponsor FIFI, give them my phone #! I'll even let them fly alittle!

Dave

Just a quick update on a few things going on here at FIFI HQ's.

Last week brought me a new volunteer from the Midland College School of Aviation!



Her name is Yuko. I think I spelled that correctly? I'm told she's a straight "A" student and recieved a Scholarship from our Desert Squadron to help with her studies. She is a foriegn exchange student from Japan and speaks very good english.




Here she is safetying the bolts on the mounting flange for the preoil pump that is being readied for installation. Quite the irony I thought? A young girl from Japan, here in Midland, of all the places she could go to A&P school, volunteering to work on our B-29! WOW

Dave

Dave where do you get those prelube pumps?

I bet she does a good job, looks like she enjoys doing that sort of work.

Ok, so I kind of fell more than just a bit short on keeping the updates coming on "Ol' 927", and since I am here in Midland for Winter Staff Conference, Dave Miller said, "I have something for you to do!" Ok, I know what that means.......... Well part of this is my own fault since I HAD to stop by the Ezell's shop and check out all the projects including our B-29 nacelle engine mockup items...... The mockup engine is installed as you can see from the pics......... It does have a slightly different look from the original as to the look of the mags and ignition harness, but all in all, it IS a R-3350.

A slightly different view,


Backside view of the engine. It appears that a complete new exhaust system may have to be fabricated. We are waiting on the intake pipes to arrive and fit to the engine so Nelson can start mocking up the exhaust.

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Just call me Al.

Thanks Alan! Nice pics.

I've been kinda busy dealing with our other Bomber, Ol'927. She's nearing the end of winter maintenance and being cantankerous! Even so, those folks in Addison are doing everything in there power to have her ready for ground school in a couple of weeks!

I do have a few things to update you about on "FIFI".




This is another shot Alan took showing the back end of the -95w installed on the B-29 engine mount!



Back at the hangar here in Midland, I had the honor of giving Rudy Silas a "Volunteer Recognition Award" for his 100 hours of volunteer service on the B-29. Rudy is a WWII vet and former B-29 mechanic. Thanks Rudy!!




This is a picture of my good friend "Shorty" He was here in Midland with me for a week of fun and went to Addison with me for a week, when we felt we needed to bang out some of the squaks on Ol'927.




This is the bottom of the oil tank after Shorty removed the sump.. We got the tank cleaned out and all the lines flushed and put all back together.




This is looking down into the oil tank. The tank has a rubber bladder inside the aluminum shell!




Here's Bob, another volunteer, pulling the top off another the tank, to help Shorty get them all drained.




Shorty got all the rest of the oil drained from the other 3 engines and the oil tank reservoir, that was the center fuel tank.




He continued to help by putting the newly made covers, back on the seats and arm rests for Ol'927's pilot and co-pilot seats.

BUMP...

Please explain??

A "bump" moves the post to the top of the list if you search for the latest posts. Otherwise it drops off the bottom of the page.

You guys are doing a great job on the B-29. In the end I know it will all be worthwhile. I don't know that a more daunting tast has ever been accomplished in the world of warbirds! Keep it up and she'll be back in the air before you know it.

Better yet, make it a "sticky" so it's up there with Texas Raiders and Diamond Lil.