Dave~What's the plan for FIFI?

B29B24crewchief · **Joined:** Sun Sep 28, 2008 9:44 pm **Posts:** 379

Had alittle time to show some other stuff from the last few weeks.

The "No Smoking Within 100 Feet" on the nose gear doors, has been a point of contention for many within the squadron and many over the years even back in the day! The pictures I have looked at over the years don't show any consistent way the markings were and it seemed to me that it was a crew chief choice as to how he would put the markings on or not put them on at all. Some just said "NO SMOKING" in big letters and that was the way they had it on "FIFI" for some time. That was removed before I got here and I decided to put something back on. I like it because it does say, "Hey you idiots, this airplane is full of 100 octane fuel that is highly flamable and we don't want you to smoke around it" But I also like the way it was displayed on the Enola Gay and Bockscar.
The following pictures shows my faithful volunteers putting the markings on.

Dave

bmoran · **Joined:** Sun Jan 03, 2010 9:48 am **Posts:** 142

Like it lots! I don't want to see another B-29 go up in smoke because someone overlooked something somewhat silly. The flying examples are just too rare.

MX304 · **Posted:** Fri Jul 09, 2010 8:48 am

Looks like no flying today. The rain gods are not playing nice.

Dan K · **Posted:** Fri Jul 09, 2010 8:49 am

IT's FIFI FRIDAY...GO BABY GO!!

oz rb fan · **Joined:** Fri Dec 17, 2004 8:33 am **Posts:** 474

well has it happened yet?

flyingsailor · **Posted:** Fri Jul 09, 2010 9:06 am

oz rb fan wrote:

well has it happened yet?

Best case scenario is sometime this afternoon or evening. Flight crews are arriving this morning, and then we need a good weather window. The FAA mandated first flight is scheduled to last two hours. The FAA has mandated that the first two flights are to take two hours each, allowing us to accumulate data on engine performance, with inspections in between, and the final flight is a one hour hop. As the weekend continues it appears that the weather will be improving.

Anyone who can offer up prayers to the rain gods please put in a good word for us. Who would have thought that rain would be a problem in Midland during the middle of July :lol:

Chris
CAF
B-29/B-24 Sqd. PIO

oz rb fan · **Joined:** Fri Dec 17, 2004 8:33 am **Posts:** 474

ok it's late friday night i keep forgetting your on the other side of the pacific :axe:

as for the weather i'll pray and i'm sure Gary is looking down on you guys,good luck guy's

Dan K · **Posted:** Fri Jul 09, 2010 9:30 am

flyingsailor wrote:

oz rb fan wrote:

well has it happened yet?

Best case scenario is sometime this afternoon or evening. Flight crews are arriving this morning, and then we need a good weather window. The FAA mandated first flight is scheduled to last two hours. The FAA has mandated that the first two flights are to take two hours each, allowing us to accumulate data on engine performance, with inspections in between, and the final flight is a one hour hop. As the weekend continues it appears that the weather will be improving.

Anyone who can offer up prayers to the rain gods please put in a good word for us. Who would have thought that rain would be a problem in Midland during the middle of July :lol:

Chris
CAF
B-29/B-24 Sqd. PIO

Thanks for the info, Chris.

Is anybody, ANYBODY streaming this weekend's events? This is THE warbird event of the decade.

Ztex · **Posted:** Fri Jul 09, 2010 2:03 pm

Just like West Texas folks....pray for rain and then when it happens you pray for it to stop! :lol:

I'll pray for a temporary reprieve...for flight test only!

Good luck guys!
Waiting for news from the front....

MX304 · **Posted:** Fri Jul 09, 2010 4:08 pm

Ztex wrote:

Just like West Texas folks....pray for rain and then when it happens you pray for it to stop! :lol:

I'll pray for a temporary reprieve...for flight test only!

Good luck guys!
Waiting for news from the front....

We are used to only having two seasons, February and Summer. Now we get spring in July.

B29B24crewchief · **Joined:** Sun Sep 28, 2008 9:44 pm **Posts:** 379

Well today didn't go well and our flights were canceled due to weather and crew delays.
We don't see much hope of flight ops before monday or tuesday at this point. The crew scheduling and weather delays really pose big problems for a 4 engine bomber that requires 6 qualified flight crew members to operate safely. We will keep on it, till we get'er in the air, as Mike would say!! Stay tuned!

Dave

coldflyer · **Posted:** Sat Jul 10, 2010 5:36 pm

Hang in there Dave. We know you are doing everything possible within your control. Sometimes it takes a little longer to achieve great moments.

Brad · **Joined:** Thu Apr 29, 2004 10:30 pm **Posts:** 1131

Sasnak wrote:

So?......So?......

Sorry :oops:

, just couldn't wait. It's Tuesday morning and the weather (radar) looks great. Have you been able to put a crew together for today?

Or has "FIFI" already.......Dave, are you holding back on us?

Hasn't happened yet.

This is an explanation from headquarters about what happened.
http://commemorativeairforce.org/?page= ... _page=1267

B29B24crewchief · **Joined:** Sun Sep 28, 2008 9:44 pm **Posts:** 379

One step closer! The regional office that was contacted in D.C. has blessed our request for 7 crewman on the test flight. They will be in touch with the Lubbock FSDO asap and advise them of there blessing. If all goes well and the two will agree and move forward, approval for our test flights should be immeadiate. This could mean that flight crews will begin to descend in Midland as early as Friday and flying will commence as soon as everyone is here and ready.

Dave

Bear · **Posted:** Thu Jul 15, 2010 9:23 am

B29B24crewchief wrote:

One step closer! The regional office that was contacted in D.C. has blessed our request for 7 crewman on the test flight. They will be in touch with the Lubbock FSDO asap and advise them of there blessing. If all goes well and the two will agree and move forward, approval for our test flights should be immeadiate. This could mean that flight crews will begin to descend in Midland as early as Friday and flying will commence as soon as everyone is here and ready.

Dave

That's fantastic news Dave! I can't wait to see FiFi airborne once again.

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Dave~What's the plan for FIFI?

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