FIFI TO FLY

John Kerr · **Posted:** Sun Jun 27, 2010 10:33 am

MIDLAND, TEXAS (June 25, 2010) – The Commemorative Air Force (CAF) is excited to announce the world’s only flyable
B-29 Superfortress FIFI, will return to the skies Tues., June 29, 2010, at 8 a.m.

The CAF Airpower Museum will open its doors at 7 a.m. on Tues. June 29 and Wed., June 30 for visitors who would like to get a front row seat for FIFI’s pre-flight preparations and first flights. Visitors to the museum will be ushered to the main hangar for an up-close view of the crew preparing this massive bomber for her first flight in four years. Once FIFI begins to head for the runways, visitors will be escorted to a prime viewing area, to witness the B-29s first taxi and take-off.

Tim L · **Posted:** Sun Jun 27, 2010 10:51 am

Great news! I've never seen a B-29 fly, wish I could be there.

Robbie Stuart · **Posted:** Sun Jun 27, 2010 11:44 am

Outstanding news. Hope all goes well.

FG1D Pilot · **Joined:** Fri Mar 04, 2005 10:42 am **Posts:** 450

Knowing old airplanes, I think I'd invite people to view the "first flight" after several flights have been done. We could be waiting a long time in the hot sun while the little gremlins are scared out.

cg51 · **Posted:** Sun Jun 27, 2010 12:21 pm

FG1D Pilot wrote:

We could be waiting a long time in the hot sun while the little gremlins are scared out.

The noise from those 3350's may make those gremlins crap their pants and send them runnin like wussies

Ztex · **Posted:** Sun Jun 27, 2010 12:31 pm

http://warbirdinformationexchange.org/phpBB3/viewtopic.php?p=366540#p366540

Mudge · **Posted:** Sun Jun 27, 2010 1:02 pm

OMG...If only Gary were here to see it. Kinda' chokes ya' up, don't it?

Mudge the choked :cry:

ps. I was lucky enough to see FIFI fly when she was at Martinsburg, WV.

(Can't help but think of the doofus who ID'd her to his girlfriend as "The Famous F One F One" :roll:

)

whistlingdeath77 · **Posted:** Sun Jun 27, 2010 7:59 pm

Fifi never comes up to the north east huh?

K5DH · **Posted:** Sun Jun 27, 2010 8:19 pm

whistlingdeathcorsairs wrote:

Fifi never comes up to the north east huh?

She hasn't been anywhere in the last few years, but before that, she was EVERYWHERE. I saw her back in the 1980s at Millville, NJ, while she was on tour with the former Diamond Lil.

Dean the informative

k5083 · **Posted:** Sun Jun 27, 2010 8:25 pm

IIRC she was actually booked for Reading just before she got grounded.

August

JDK · **Posted:** Sun Jun 27, 2010 9:27 pm

Great news!

FG1D Pilot wrote:

Knowing old airplanes, I think I'd invite people to view the "first flight" after several flights have been done. We could be waiting a long time in the hot sun while the little gremlins are scared out.

I'd agree. IMHO, it seem pretty standard procedure in the restorations I've followed closely. Occasionally I've been invited to the real first flight, but strictly on a 'don't bother the workers' basis and with no guarantees of times or even action. A hoopla 'first official flight' is often put on for the public and invitees later.

That's not to criticise the team - what matters is getting Fifi back into the air safely and successfully. Good luck, guys.

Ztex · **Posted:** Sun Jun 27, 2010 10:30 pm

If you were listening in to the WIX Wednesday night show on Warbird Radio a couple of weeks ago you would have heard the little hint that was dropped about FiFi planning on being at some little airshow in Wisconsin in August..... :wink:

Gonna be great to see her back in the air!

Brad · **Joined:** Thu Apr 29, 2004 10:30 pm **Posts:** 1132

JDK wrote:

Great news!

FG1D Pilot wrote:

Knowing old airplanes, I think I'd invite people to view the "first flight" after several flights have been done. We could be waiting a long time in the hot sun while the little gremlins are scared out.

I'd agree. IMHO, it seem pretty standard procedure in the restorations I've followed closely. Occasionally I've been invited to the real first flight, but strictly on a 'don't bother the workers' basis and with no guarantees of times or even action. A hoopla 'first official flight' is often put on for the public and invitees later.

That's not to criticise the team - what matters is getting Fifi back into the air safely and successfully. Good luck, guys.

Believe me, this decision didn't come from the folks doing the actual work.....
I'm heading back down there tomorrow.

Dan K · **Posted:** Mon Jun 28, 2010 12:01 am

Ztex wrote:

If you were listening in to the WIX Wednesday night show on Warbird Radio a couple of weeks ago you would have heard the little hint that was dropped about FiFi planning on being at some little airshow in Wisconsin in August....

Here's hoping they meant July. :rolleyes:

Taylor Stevenson · **Posted:** Mon Jun 28, 2010 12:24 am

Brad wrote:

Believe me, this decision didn't come from the folks doing the actual work.....
I'm heading back down there tomorrow.

Could have guess that much :roll:

Have fun down there. Take photos, and tell everyone good luck for me!

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