SC_Mike
Member
FIFI & Doc Met this summer @ EAA Oshkosh 2017
I hope they hit it off and have many offspring!
Living history: the last flying B-29 bomber
- Thread starter PALADIN85020
- Start date
I hope they hit it off and have many offspring!
I have a very interesting story for this thread. My dad was a B-29 pilot in WWll He retired as a Major on the Army Air Corps.
He spent some time training cadets at the Air Base in Enid Oklahoma and was finally promoted and given command of a B-29 and was to pic a crew and begin training for missions in Japan.
Fortunately or unfortunately as you choose, Japan surrendered before they were able to complete their training.
He was down for a visit after Mom died and I took him fishing on the Galveston Fishing Pier on the Galveston beach front. Coincidentally, The Confederate Air Force was flying out of the air port in Galveston that week end
All manner of British and American and Japanese war planes were filling the air.
Some of you are aware that The B-29 has a very distinctive sound. If you have ever heard one you know what I mean. We heard it at the same time. Suddenly he looked up and pointed and there is was....The Flying Superfortress.
He gazed up and told me that 2 weeks before he had sat in the left seat of that plane. I asked him how he could be sure it was that very plane and he said "Because it's the only one flying these days."
Here's the story he told me: They had been flying in Waco and he went out to see the show. They had one on the ground and roped off. There were a couple of young officers standing at the barricade tape and he walked up and introduced himself and they started asking him questions. At one point they looked at each other and one turned to Dad and said. "Major, would you like to come aboard sir and spend some time in the cockpit?
Of course he jumped at the chance. His eyes glazed over in thought as he told me how they let him have about 20 minutes to sit there and relived some of his moments as he flew this plane a lifetime ago. I'm sure they have no idea how happy they made him. He said he never dreamed he'd ever have another chance to do that. He talked about that day until he died several years later.
Only a few times in my life have I ever seen a happier smile on his face and in his eyes.
He spent some time training cadets at the Air Base in Enid Oklahoma and was finally promoted and given command of a B-29 and was to pic a crew and begin training for missions in Japan.
Fortunately or unfortunately as you choose, Japan surrendered before they were able to complete their training.
He was down for a visit after Mom died and I took him fishing on the Galveston Fishing Pier on the Galveston beach front. Coincidentally, The Confederate Air Force was flying out of the air port in Galveston that week end
All manner of British and American and Japanese war planes were filling the air.
Some of you are aware that The B-29 has a very distinctive sound. If you have ever heard one you know what I mean. We heard it at the same time. Suddenly he looked up and pointed and there is was....The Flying Superfortress.
He gazed up and told me that 2 weeks before he had sat in the left seat of that plane. I asked him how he could be sure it was that very plane and he said "Because it's the only one flying these days."
Here's the story he told me: They had been flying in Waco and he went out to see the show. They had one on the ground and roped off. There were a couple of young officers standing at the barricade tape and he walked up and introduced himself and they started asking him questions. At one point they looked at each other and one turned to Dad and said. "Major, would you like to come aboard sir and spend some time in the cockpit?
Of course he jumped at the chance. His eyes glazed over in thought as he told me how they let him have about 20 minutes to sit there and relived some of his moments as he flew this plane a lifetime ago. I'm sure they have no idea how happy they made him. He said he never dreamed he'd ever have another chance to do that. He talked about that day until he died several years later.
Only a few times in my life have I ever seen a happier smile on his face and in his eyes.
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Back in October 2000, Fifi was in Tulsa and was grounded for several months due to an engine fire. Volunteers, primarily from the American Airlines maintenance center here, worked to build a new engine mount. In the meantime it was parked at what was then the Boeing plant I worked at as an engineer. (It had originally been built by Douglas in WWII, then North American, was Rockwell International when I was hired in 1980, was bought by Boeing around 1996 and was spun off as Spirit Aerosystems in 2005, and I retired in 2014.)
Since it was there for months I had several opportunities to photograph it, inside and out.
That's me in the driver's seat, making engine sounds.
Here's the view from the pressurized tunnel.
A fellow engineer at one of the gunner stations.
And as I said, Fifi was there for several months. I was always ashamed that our facility, while Boeing pretty much in name only, still could not find space to put it indoors.
Since it was there for months I had several opportunities to photograph it, inside and out.
That's me in the driver's seat, making engine sounds.
Here's the view from the pressurized tunnel.
A fellow engineer at one of the gunner stations.
And as I said, Fifi was there for several months. I was always ashamed that our facility, while Boeing pretty much in name only, still could not find space to put it indoors.
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OLDSTER
Member
I know where there is a nice little collection of these era aircraft.
Recent addition to his collection.
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The Russians loved the Bell Aerocobra as a ground attack unit.
THE PILGRIM
Member
I already posted about then P-39 pilot Hervey Stockman (U2 pilot, SEA POW),
While getting hot flying in the gunnery pattern at Kingman-
He Would just roll down the side windows for some fresh air!
While getting hot flying in the gunnery pattern at Kingman-
He Would just roll down the side windows for some fresh air!
colmar pocket
Member
The day before yesterday as I was coming out of the shop where I work , in Marion Ill. , I happen to glance up an got a Glimpse of Fifi coming in for a landing at the Veterans Airport , here in Marion . At first I thought it was a B17 from the big tail outline . This morning on our local news station , KFVS 12 , ran the story that Fifi along with other aircraft of the Commemorative Air Force will be on display at the Veterans Airport in Marion Ill. until Sunday . Admission is $10 for adults , $5.00 for kids . I'll be taking the Wife and FiL to see her this weekend .
Shawn
Shawn
thanks for the pics Tom K. As I"ve said before my dad flew on B29's & was a gunner. I stared at that picture of the gunners station for a long time as I pictured my dad there while flying over Japan & shooting at the incoming "Jap" fighters
WPWarhawk
US Veteran
I helped with "Doc" in the early days of the restoration. We cleaned a lot of sand out of the various parts. You can't imagine how many parts are involved in a B-29 until you have all torn apart in a hangar.
Shortly before Boeing left Wichita, I was there and got to see Doc again. They were about 75% complete with the skin polish, and getting ready to hang the #4 engine the day I was there. It's a beauty and a first class restoration.
Shortly before Boeing left Wichita, I was there and got to see Doc again. They were about 75% complete with the skin polish, and getting ready to hang the #4 engine the day I was there. It's a beauty and a first class restoration.
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amazingflapjack
US Veteran
Thanks for sharing this great memory.
Fifi was headquartered locally for many years. I got the chance to see her more than once including during a full re-restoration and engine rebuild. Once the rebuild was completed she was shared out between here and Addison, TX as the folks there had helped pay for the rebuild.
Then the CAF went and moved their national HQ from Midland to Dallas. I'm sure they get a lot more traffic there than they did here, but I was sorry to see them go.
Then the CAF went and moved their national HQ from Midland to Dallas. I'm sure they get a lot more traffic there than they did here, but I was sorry to see them go.
Mexican Kerry
Member
I mean no disrespect but every time I see a B 29 I think of that stupid Disney movie with Elliot Gould. Something about Noah's Ark. Maybe just a sign of the era I grew up in....
It's an iconic plane, I appreciate all who know something about them. And I definitely appreciate the restoration of one. I'd give my third leg for a ride or a tour.
It's an iconic plane, I appreciate all who know something about them. And I definitely appreciate the restoration of one. I'd give my third leg for a ride or a tour.
Hawker800
Member
Back in the mid '70s I met the war bird pilot Darryl Greenamyer in Modesto. In the '90s, he and his crew attempted to restore a B-29 found in Greenland. Though their project ended in tragedy, Nova has an excellent video recording their efforts.
Boeing B-29 Superfortress "Kee Bird" , "Frozen in Time" ! NOVA - YouTube
Boeing B-29 Superfortress "Kee Bird" , "Frozen in Time" ! NOVA - YouTube
The same gentleman who owns the Aerocobra I posted the pic of also owns and flys Glacier Girl. I have spoken to the man who was first down the hole in the ice when the found and dug her up. He has an entire room in the hangar filled with pics artifacts and the unit used to bore the hole. Amazing to listen to him tell the stories of the dig. And to see the aircraft now.
In total he owns over 30 vintage AC B25 P38 P51 etc.
Rare Bear is also on of his.
Google "Lewis air legends" lots of pics and info.
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In total he owns over 30 vintage AC B25 P38 P51 etc.
Rare Bear is also on of his.
Google "Lewis air legends" lots of pics and info.
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
