choochoo Posted February 24, 2015 Share #1 Posted February 24, 2015 Supposedly the last flying B-29 out there (link with video) http://www.fox10phoenix.com/story/28180759/2015/02/23/caf-airpower-history-tour-features-fifi-the-b-29-superfortress Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Neuron Posted February 24, 2015 Share #2 Posted February 24, 2015 Nice, I would have thought there were more. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
doinworkinvans Posted February 24, 2015 Share #3 Posted February 24, 2015 I find it hard to beleive that this is the last flying one...so odd as they were used so much later into Korea. Its a shame they were all scrapped and more couldnt be saved for commerative purposes. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MattS Posted February 24, 2015 Share #4 Posted February 24, 2015 It is the last flying one. Has been for many, many years. There would have been two if they hadn't burned up Kee Bird. There is another B-29 being restored to flying condition (maintenance, fuel, and parts are outrageously expensive) in Kansas at the former B-29 plant in Wichita: http://www.b-29doc.com/ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
choochoo Posted February 24, 2015 Author Share #5 Posted February 24, 2015 Last time I saw the CAF at the William Lyon Air museum, they told me the B-24 they had on display was 1 of 2 that were airworthy. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MattS Posted February 24, 2015 Share #6 Posted February 24, 2015 Yep, 2 airworthy (Diamond Lil and Witchcraft), and only 20 airframes left in the world. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Teamski Posted February 24, 2015 Share #7 Posted February 24, 2015 Yep, 2 airworthy (Diamond Lil and Witchcraft), and only 20 airframes left in the world. If you wanna be technical, Diamond Lil is a C-87 converted to look like a B-24D. So, there is only one true B-24 flying today. -Ski Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Third Herd Posted February 24, 2015 Share #8 Posted February 24, 2015 In 1971 or 1972, I was sitting at a traffic light in Midwest City, OK and I saw a B-29 flying. It had to have been Fifi. I thought it was landing at Tinker AFB, but couldn't find it on the ground. For a while I thought I saw a ghost plane. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MattS Posted February 24, 2015 Share #9 Posted February 24, 2015 Yes, technically speaking! I toured Witchcraft back in the early 90s when it was called All American. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rakkasan187 Posted February 24, 2015 Share #10 Posted February 24, 2015 FIFI was in El Paso, Texas last year.. Flew right over my house, as it was landing at the airport...Incredible sight... Leigh Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
choochoo Posted February 24, 2015 Author Share #11 Posted February 24, 2015 "Witchcraft" a couple years ago, when I saw it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sabrejet Posted February 24, 2015 Share #12 Posted February 24, 2015 B-29 44-61748 "Hawg Wild" is preserved at the American Air Museum, Duxford, England. I believe it could potentially be restored to airworthy condition. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MattS Posted February 24, 2015 Share #13 Posted February 24, 2015 I think many of the static display B-29s could potentially be made airworthy, but the time and expense to do so would be prohibitive. Plus, many of them have already been cannibalized for parts for other projects, like Fifi and Kee Bird. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Waltz41 Posted February 26, 2015 Share #14 Posted February 26, 2015 There is another B-29 that will be flying soon.... http://www.warbirdsnews.com/warbirds-news/doc-ready-fly.html Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
doinworkinvans Posted February 26, 2015 Share #15 Posted February 26, 2015 Such great news!!!! I know it costs tons and tons of cash, but to see these beauties back in the skies is so rewarding. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
choochoo Posted February 26, 2015 Author Share #16 Posted February 26, 2015 Wow! Awesome! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Waltz41 Posted February 27, 2015 Share #17 Posted February 27, 2015 Here's some recent stuff on Kee Bird....... :-( http://pacaeropress.websitetoolbox.com/post/kee-bird-in-greenland-7288134 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Waltz41 Posted February 27, 2015 Share #18 Posted February 27, 2015 FiFi is a regular at the Reading WWII Weekend Air Show the last 4 years or so. Coming back again this year as well. Always a great sight and sound. Here's to many more years in the air for her! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Waltz41 Posted February 27, 2015 Share #19 Posted February 27, 2015 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Waltz41 Posted February 27, 2015 Share #20 Posted February 27, 2015 Sorry....all these photos I took on my hard drive.....rarely get to share them! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Waltz41 Posted February 27, 2015 Share #21 Posted February 27, 2015 Such great news!!!! I know it costs tons and tons of cash, but to see these beauties back in the skies is so rewarding. Last I heard they (Doc) were aiming to be at Oshkosh this year....and FiFi is scheduled to be there as well. Can't imagine seeing 2 Superfortresses fly together (if they do it!) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Garandomatic Posted February 27, 2015 Share #22 Posted February 27, 2015 THe kicker with DOc is that one of the volunteers was one of the "Rosie the Riveters" that quite possibly put it together back in '44/45! I sent them a trivial sum toward the restoration, but I hope every bit counts. That story about Kee Bird... always kind of ticked me off. I can't fathom the likelihood of their plan... Saw the documentary "I think we can do it" must have been said a thousand times, and the damned thing burned to a crisp. I think there had to be a better way. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
riflegreen297 Posted February 27, 2015 Share #23 Posted February 27, 2015 Here is FIFI in Colorado Springs back in 1995/1996. I have some of Diamond Lil and some others also from the same show. Here I am at the FIFI's controls getting ready for my 4 engine check ride Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
riflegreen297 Posted February 27, 2015 Share #24 Posted February 27, 2015 The view from the pilot's seat. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
338thRCT Posted February 28, 2015 Share #25 Posted February 28, 2015 I posted a few pictures of Fifi in the Veterans Recollections section a couple of years ago. Don't know how to link to it, but it is under the title of FO Maynard David Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Create an account or sign in to comment
You need to be a member in order to leave a comment
Create an account
Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!
Register a new accountSign in
Already have an account? Sign in here.
Sign In Now