I met Fifi today.

[Jim74]

Visited Willow Run airport for the annual air show today. They had the B-29 Superfortress "Fifi" there, and since I am friends with the flight engineer, I got a tour of the plane no one else could get unless they paid for it. I've never had a chance to see a B-29, much less get a chance to be inside an actual airworthy example. Sorry about the quality of the pic, it was taken with my cell phone. It's a picture of me sitting behind the cockpit.

 

[daves87rs]

Very cool!

 

[ls1mike]

Very cool. Correct me if I am wrong but I thought there were only two left that actually fly.

 

[jorton]

Facinating airshows! Lots of Warbirds WWII, Korea, Vietnam war flying around. Amazing! I can't wait for another air show to come to Lackland AFB. Or Randolph.

 

[ag_ghost]

Excellent. My older son and I stood in line for a long time when he was maybe seven to go through Fifi and he still has good memories of it. If these guys
http://www.collingsfoundation.org/menu.htm
ever come to your area, the cost of a 20 minute flight is well worth and, at least two years ago, was tax deductible!
Kevin

 

[jrenkas]

Very cool. I saw it at AirVenture this year.

 

[JetStar]

Awesome. I've met FIFI too. She just got new engines recently!
http://airpigz.com/blog/2010/6/26/caf-b-29-fifi-scheduled-to-fly-again-june-29-2010.html

 

[Jim74]

Yup, my buddy told me all about the new engines. Same engine that's in a Douglas Skyraider. I forgot to add the other pics last night. It's 1500 bucks to sit in the co-pilots seat, 595 dollars to sit int the back of the plane. Well worth it, IMO.

 

[Jim74]

 

[cbear]

I always heard that if a movie studio wanted to use her, they had to pay for a refit by Boeing. Do they still have the list of movies as her mission list on the side?

 

[Jim74]

I didn't notice any movie credits.

 

[Drew99GT]

What a machine! Very cool.

Here she is taking off. According to this video, Fifi is the last flyable B-29. Out of almost 4,000 built.

I couldn't imagine the sheer terror of a squadron of B-29s flying overhead during WWII.

 

[cbear]

Originally Posted By: Jim74
I didn't notice any movie credits.


It looks like she use to have more markings. I believe the movies were listed under the flag in this photo.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/flyforfun/1399841155/

 

[Jim74]

Ah, they might still be there. I was paying more attention to the engines, landing gear, etc. A lot to absorb.

 

[Dave Sherman]

Years ago I got to see her when she came to the Cleveland air show. The day I attended she got rained out so she didn't fly, but I got to walk around and see her up close. I came back the next day, but was late getting there, so I pulled off in downtown Cleveland and was at the edge of the cliff looking over Burke airport. There were a few fire fighters with their truck watching the show from there too, and I got there just as she was ready to take off. That was impressive when the sound of her 4 engines drowned out the diesel engine of the fire truck next to me, and it was probably 1/4 mile to the runway.