the b 29 fifi flight that was scheduled for the 28 postponed because the f.a.a. personal couldnt show up for the test flight. the test flight is rescheduled for some time next week . Fifi is owned by the c.a.f.
fifi cleared for flight faa issued an airworthiness certificate for the b29 phase 1 of testing to begin on fri the 9 th go to oaoa enter fifi flight in to the search and read all the past articles on this bird and see some of the photos.
It’s good to see stuff like this - thanks for the update.
Here’s the site for the B-29/B-24 Squadron:
I miss being around that gal at times… I spent two seasons as a crew-dog on “Fifi”…
I’m pleased to learn that Fifi is about to fly again. I remember the first time I saw it at Oshkosh and how much I laughed when I looked into the bomb bay area. Crew members had their bicycles stored there.
There is an air-worthy B-29? I thought they were all grounded for various reasons.
I’m glad to hear Fifi is still in flight.
Here’s a link to “Fifi” and her history, Railfan…
http://www.cafb29b24.org/a/B-29-FiFi_History.htm
Here’s some of it:
July 31, 1945
Delivered to USAAF, Salina, Kansas.
August, 1945
To 247th base unit, Smoky Hill Field, Kansas.
September, 1945
To 232nd base unit, Dalhart Field, Texas.
October, 1945
To 242nd base unit, (Continental Air Forces - changed in May, 1946 to Strategic Air Command), Grand Island Field, Nebraska.
April, 1946
Modified to TB-29A, used for operational training.
November, 1947
Status changed to “excess” at Grand Island and transferred to 414th base unit (Air Material Command), Pyote AFB, Texas. Assignment was “SA” administrative aircraft (probably some Colonel’s private plane).
January, 1948
Status changed to “SS” - storage (noncocooned) - polite for “left in desert.”
October, 1951
To contract maintenance and modification. Returned to B-29A configuration in April, 1952.
September, 1952
Assigned to 310th Bombardment Wing (SAC), Smoky Hill AFB, Kansas.
April, 1953
To Sacramento Air Material Area for depot maintenance.
May, 1953
Returned to 310th Bombardment Wing (SAC), Smoky Hill AFB, Kansas.
August, 1953
Assigned to 3510th Flying Training Wing (Air Training Command), Randolph AFB, Texas.
November, 1953
Modified to TB-29A (trainer).
October, 1956
Transferred to U.S. Navy (believed flown from Randolph, Texas to China Lake Naval Weapons Center, Muroc Dry Lake, California at this time.
1971
U.S. Navy to Confederate Air Force and flown to Harlingen, Texas.
The Boeing Wichita, KS plant is in the process of getting a second airworthy 29 ready
Thanks. I never knew that there was a B-29 still in flight.
Here’s what I know on famous American bombers from WW II today (correct me I’m wrong):
B-17s: 113 still around, only 8 still certified for flight
B-24s: ? still around, 1 in flight
B-25s: at least 3 still around, with 1 in flight.
B-29s: At least 2 still around, with one (Fifi) still in flight.
That’s all I know about the famous bombers of WW II, I learned all of this when there was an EAA (Experimental Aircraft Association) fly-in. They have been to my home town 3 times with the B-17s, and once with a B-25. I saw a documentary on the B-24, and I learned about Fifi in this thred.
Here’s what I know:
B-17s: 53 frames, only 13 still airworthy (though some are grounded for FAA inspections), two are being restored to flying status to bring it up to 15
B-24s: 10 frames, 2 airworthy
B-25s: over 100, with about 45 airworthy
B-29s: 4 frames, with 1 airworthy, 1 restoration to airworthy, the other two are static (Enola Gay at NASM, Bockscar at NMUSAF)
There are a lot more survivors out there than I thought.
I never knew that 45 B-25s were still airworthy. Man, I’m way off the mark.
I think there’s more static B-29 airframes at air bases around the country, how many I’m not sure
Two… One B-24J and one B-24A… The B-24A is “Ol’ 927” (FKA, "Diamond Lil), the “other half” of the CAF B-29/B-24 Squadron… Collings Foundation is flying the J-model…
“927” came off the assembly line as a B-24A, was converted to an LB-30/C-87 then finally, after many, many years, restored to an A-model…
I am starting to see, my favorite WWII aircraft are not as rare as I recently feared (There may be hope for me yet, to get a flight in one)
Ole 927 is still in partial C-87 configuration as it still has the nose plug and the J nose gear doors installed. that was done by Conso.
only the front fuselage is at the NASM the rest is at the Udvar Hazy center possibly awaiting restoration same for B-17F Memphis Bell which is undergoing restoration to flight status. from what I hear.
SO the Enola Gay, and the Memphis Bell could both be flying once again?
(YES! I may be able to see 2 of the most famous WW II bombers in flight, if what you herd is true)
From what I read in some of the more popular warbird mags they are moving along with the restoration of Memphis Bell. And from there she will be going to the air force museum in Dayton Ohio hopefully as a flying exhibit.
I last saw Fifi in flight at the 2006 Airsho in Midland and the old gal was having some issues back then. I gladly sent what I could to help with the new engine construction (I think it was probably enough to buy about a dozen nuts and bolts, but you do what you can). Glad she is almost ready to spread her wings again.
Enola Gay has been restored & reassembled &has been at the U-H center for a few years now.