Goosebump alert:

To our friends who may not understand the passion we feel for planes and particularly planes from WW11, this is Fifi. It is the only flying B-29 Strato Fortress in the world. This is one of the combat airplanes that flew from Iwo Jima, Saipan, Tinian islands to bomb Japan and help win the war. It was usually escorted by P-51 Mustangs to protect her from enemy fighters but many thousands of planes and aircrews were lost fighting for our country.

This happened at a time in history before we had long range missiles and electronics. These planes were flown by men from our farms and cities who left their families at home and risked their lives in high altitude gun fights. It was up close, brutal and extremely dangerous but they risked it all to protect our country. Many never came home again. We love, respect and honor all of our veterans. But we also have a love affair with the planes. It is a permanent addiction for us so we preserve these wonderful aircraft so you can see and experience the marvelous machines that preserved our freedom.

We have completely rebuilt this aircraft and those powerful prop engines to bring Fifi back to life. It took years to accomplish, many thousands of donated dollars and thousands of hours of work by many unpaid volunteers to make this happen so that everyone can share this important part of our history. This is a unique flying museum.

If you get a chance to see her at an airshow, don't pass up the chance. You are watching history and she is the only one left out of thousands. This is truly a rare aircraft. Enjoy the video.

Col. Tom Leo
Golden Gate Wing

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1992 300D 2.5T
1980 Euro 300D (sadly, sold)
1998 Jetta TDI, 132K "Rudy"
1974 Triumph TR6
1999 Saab 9-5 wagon (wife's)

She's BEAUTIFUL!!!!! Any chances that she'll fly in the Dayton Airshow in the future?

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1987 560SL
85,000 miles

Nifty airplane, huh? I think there are dates listed in the link mentioned in the video description: http://www.cafb29b24.org/

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1992 300D 2.5T
1980 Euro 300D (sadly, sold)
1998 Jetta TDI, 132K "Rudy"
1974 Triumph TR6
1999 Saab 9-5 wagon (wife's)

The B29 fly's again!

Can't wait for them to come to CT again, I'm going for a ride!

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1999 SL500
1969 280SE
2023 Ram 1500
2007 Tiara 3200

FiFi wasn't there at the Charleston air show last Saturday but the Commemorative Air Force was on hand with two B-24s, a couple of F-4s and some other aircraft. The WOW! factor was certainly there also. I saw a B-29 flying low down the Atlantic coast once many years ago and it will make the hair on the back of your neck stand up!

Bravo to these men who put so much time and effort, not to mention money, into preserving these wonderful aircraft!

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"Life is tough...it's even tougher if you're stupid." John Wayne


Dave
Pawleys Island, SC

'79 300CD

Hard to believe that was originally constructed almost 70 years ago.

That's one helluva view from the cockpit. I'd love to go for a ride in the gun turrets of one of those things.

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You don't need a weatherman to know which way the wind blows - Robert A. Zimmerman

The luftwaffa pilots must of realized the war was over when they came across this force of the air for the first time.Living in Texas Ive seen FiFi a couple of times at local airshows ,shes a real sight to see at takeoff and as she completes a nice long bank roll on the horizon.

Not to be too picky, but I don't believe B29s flew against the Luftwaffe. They were used extensively in the Pacific theater.
Had they seen a couple hundred of them, I sure they would have known the end was near.

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1982 300SD " Wotan" ..On the road as of Jan 8, 2007 with Historic Tags

Love it. I can't wait to see it in person again.

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CENSORED due to not family friendly words

The AAF kept them out of Germany. Their great distance was better used in the Pac. First missions flew out of China. High altitude daytime missions were less than successful. LeMay changed to low alt night missions with incendiary bombs and was much more successful....at killing Japanese at any rate.


Very complex and troubles were many in getting it in service.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/B-29_Superfortress

Bravo Zulu to the men who spent time and money to get this ship back flying. Outstanding!

Did I hear somewhere that the cost rivaled the Manhattan Project?
It was close to a total failure, but they got it right.
Beautiful aircraft.

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1982 300SD " Wotan" ..On the road as of Jan 8, 2007 with Historic Tags

There are a couple of B-29 wrecks on Guam. One was rediscovered not all that long ago, and some human remains recovered. The other is just off the side of the hill along the flightline at the AFB, and I have visited it a few times. There are still live .50 cal rounds laying around the tail section. Fascinating airplanes!

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1992 300D 2.5T
1980 Euro 300D (sadly, sold)
1998 Jetta TDI, 132K "Rudy"
1974 Triumph TR6
1999 Saab 9-5 wagon (wife's)

Remember the average age of the aircraft commander was 21!

Out of all the B-29s made, it's amazing only one is still with us.
I remember an attempt to restore a B-29 up in Greenland. The restoration was filmed and shown as a TV series. The plane burned to the ground as the crew was preparing it for its initial flight. Given the cause of the fire, perhaps it was better the plane never got off the ground.