Dave~What's the plan for FIFI?

hahnej · **Posted:** Mon Sep 27, 2010 9:12 am

Just curious, is Fifi's tail gunner position accessible from the forward compartments? In flight?

the330thbg · **Joined:** Wed Nov 14, 2007 3:06 pm **Posts:** 2713

Brilliant gentlemen!!!! Way to Go!!!
quick question..., why do you keep the FE's window and the Putt-Putt hatch open during flights? Is this for ventilation?

Not to detract from you accomplishments in the least.., just curious!

Thanks again, boys!!!!

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

Yes the tail gun is accessible in flight. The tunnel in the bomb bay connects the front and rear compartments. When the plane was pressurized the tail gunner seperated from the rest of the plane by the pressure bulkhead. The section between him and the aft fuselage, along with the bonb bays, were the only unpressurized compartments. As for flying with the hatches out, well that is the air conditioning system.

b29flteng · **Posted:** Mon Sep 27, 2010 1:44 pm

With the hatches open it adds marginally to the cooling of the cabin. It sure increases the noise level though.

the330thbg · **Joined:** Wed Nov 14, 2007 3:06 pm **Posts:** 2713

b29flteng wrote:

With the hatches open it adds marginally to the cooling of the cabin. It sure increases the noise level though.

LOL.., yah.., I can imagine it is quite a trade off?!

Best,

Smisek

Alan Brooks · **Posted:** Wed Sep 29, 2010 1:31 pm

Ladies and Gentlemen, it is with a great humbleness and honor that I make this announcement..... With much thanks to Dave Miller and the whole B-29/B-24 Squadron, "FIFI" Flight Experiences are booking now for the Hq Airsho' at Midland, Tx. For the first time ever, a "for real" flight experience in the "Ultimate" piston engined heavy of WWII. The flights start Thursday Oct 7th and run thru Sunday Oct 10th. AM and PM flights will be available for each day and will be scheduled around the Airsho' waiver times. See our web site http://www.cafb29b24.org for details. Many individuals and companies have provided great assistance for us to get this point...... Thanks to all!

My question to all of you fellow Wixer's...... who is going to be the first to ride in the "Bombardiers Seat"? Moderators, my apologies for such a blatant advertising post.........

Alan Brooks
B-29/B-24 Rides Coordinator

the330thbg · **Joined:** Wed Nov 14, 2007 3:06 pm **Posts:** 2713

Gents, again.., not to detract at all from the incredible job you all have done for this bird., but what, where and why was the decision made to modify the upper forward turret?

Thanks!

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

All I can tell you about that is that it must have been done many years ago when the gun turret mechanisims were removed. I'm sure they did the best they could at keeping it as original as they could.
Dave

CAPFlyer · **Posted:** Thu Sep 30, 2010 9:18 am

From my P-61 book (since the P-61 used the same turret), that "spacer" is actually part of the turret mechanism tub. So when they removed the rest of the turret, they probably didn't have any real way to replace it so they did what they could.

the330thbg · **Joined:** Wed Nov 14, 2007 3:06 pm **Posts:** 2713

CAPFlyer wrote:

From my P-61 book (since the P-61 used the same turret), that "spacer" is actually part of the turret mechanism tub. So when they removed the rest of the turret, they probably didn't have any real way to replace it so they did what they could.

The B-50 variant used a similar turret to that on the Blackwidow. But this B-29 and her variants had a different one, although the mechanisms may have been the same. Originally (2) .50s, then with the increase in frontal attacks, they went to the (4) .50's as indicated in two of my photos. (actually, I am not sure that the original (2) .50's even saw combat before the refit)But, I do agree when the mechanism was removed, so was this piece.

Thanks

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

Thanks for the kind words! She is going to be a site to behold for many years to come!!

The turrets are or have been moved to this position for several reasons.
First is, the gun barrels swallow less bugs this way.
It causes less drag this way. Not a problem anymore though!!!

Not sure why else???

Maybe we will change it!!!

???
Dave

CAPFlyer · **Posted:** Thu Sep 30, 2010 9:43 pm

Change it when you make it operational....

Ztex · **Posted:** Thu Sep 30, 2010 10:12 pm

Turn the guns around when you go to Yankee land for sure...and maybe Oklahoma too.

:wink:

tulsaboy · **Posted:** Fri Oct 01, 2010 9:26 am

Careful, Zane! Our Sooners are headed your way tomorrow... and after the Longhorns' fantastic efforts at home against UCLA, and the Aggie's lackluster performance last night against the Pokes, I would think Texans are in a poor position to be threatening us Okies...

kevin

Blackwing · **Joined:** Wed Oct 11, 2006 12:10 am **Posts:** 59

Actually, the reason the guns are all pointed aft now is that with the engines changed out the plane is so fast that there are only trailers to hit now.

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Dave~What's the plan for FIFI?

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