World's Only Flyable B-29 Returns To The Skies

[ATFS_Crash]

World's Only Flyable B-29 Returns To The Skies For Test Flights

Sat, 26 Jun '10
CAFs FIFI Returns To Flying After Engine Re-Fit

Unlike our April 1st spoof about Enola Gay, this flying B-29 is for real. The Commemorative Air Force (CAF) says the world's only flyable B-29 Superfortress FIFI, will return to the skies Tuesday, June 29, at 0800. The CAF Airpower Museum will open its doors at 0700 on Tuesday and Wednesday of that week so that visitors who would like to get a front row seat for FIFI's pre-flight preparations and first flights can do so. 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.

Source and full story
http://www.aero-news.net/index.cfm?c...f-5c6356bd316d

[Highkeas]

There is another B-29 being refurbished. It was initally being done in a Boeing hanger but I recall it was kicked out when Boeing needed the space.
http://www.360wichita.com/Attraction...storation.html
I lot of parts were made anew using Boeing drawings by volunteers.

[BoeingKing77]

Its good to see them flying a B-29 again.For building over 10000 B-17s and I dont know how many B-29s you would expect to see more but I guess not. Hope all goes well on the first test flight.

[Highkeas]

Last night PBS Nova had a great program on the attempt to refurbish a B-29 that had sat in a Greenland lake for 50 years.
Video here
http://video.pbs.org/video/1548962233/

[DAIRD]

I can't watch it due to some rights restrictions.
Isn't it that B-29 they've recovered and later it went into flames...? Or is it another one?

[Highkeas]

Originally Posted by DAIRD

I can't watch it due to some rights restrictions.
Isn't it that B-29 they've recovered and later it went into flames...? Or is it another one?

Yes - agter being restored the B-29 was taxiing for takeoff when fuel spilled on the APU and set the tail on fire; the fire spread and destroyed the aircraft. A very sad ending.

The only good part was that the crew escaped - if it had happened once the plane was airborn then their probably have been fatalities.

[Curtis Malone]

Originally Posted by Highkeas

Yes - agter being restored the B-29 was taxiing for takeoff when fuel spilled on the APU and set the tail on fire; the fire spread and destroyed the aircraft. A very sad ending.

The only good part was that the crew escaped - if it had happened once the plane was airborn then their probably have been fatalities.

The B-29 had an APU? For what reason?

[Kjell Engkrog]

Originally Posted by DAIRD

I can't watch it due to some rights restrictions.
Isn't it that B-29 they've recovered and later it went into flames...? Or is it another one?

It`s on youtube, search for b-29 frozen in time

Also a google for Kee Bird brings up more of the story.

Cheers,

[DAIRD]

Thank you Kjell - it works! I've just watched part 1 - an impressive documentation.