The last flying B-29 in the world...

[Col. Plink]

I saw Fifi fly out of China Lake. But it was not 1971. I graduated from college in 1975 and my wife and I moved there from Boulder Colorado ... (that is a whole story in itself.)

I have posted feedback to Wiki to check their dates.

It think it was 1976 but it could have been 1975. By 1977 I was living in civilization again. This was a big deal for all of us working there. Crews spent weeks as I recall prepping her for flight. The Naval Weapons Center at the time was about 400 military, and 10000 civilians. All were invited out to the airfield to witness the departure. I recall lots of smoke as her engines fired up, and the unbelievable roar as she slowly taxied out, built up speed, and lifted off in that incredible blue desert sky. I seem to recall a tear or two, or maybe more, and I cannot imagine a dry eye from anyone who witnessed it.

 

[GLV]

Now if it were possible

to get one of the really big birds back in the air.

The B-36, last one flew in March of 1955.

 

[bishopm14]

to get one of the really big birds back in the air.

The B-36, last one flew in March of 1955.

The last '36s were retired from operational duty in February '59.
I would love to see a 36 flying again. It is one of my favorite aircraft and I've been fortunate enough to see three of the four that are left. The fourth is behind enemy lines in California, and I'm not sure if making it four of four is good enough reason to cross that border.

 

[PALADIN85020]

The last '36s were retired from operational duty in February '59.
I would love to see a 36 flying again. It is one of my favorite aircraft and I've been fortunate enough to see three of the four that are left. The fourth is behind enemy lines in California, and I'm not sure if making it four of four is good enough reason to cross that border.

You can see this one in friendly territory. It's at the Pima Air Museum, near Tucson, Arizona. I took the picture sometime back when the S&WCA meeting was held there. It truly was "the aluminum overcast."

John

 

[Tom K]

Back in October 2000 Fifi wound up having an unplanned layover in Tulsa - for about three months! An engine fire caused damage to one of the engines and its mount, and Fifi was grounded until repairs could be made. Mechanics from the American Airlines maintenance facility here volunteered their time to make it happen.

It still took months and all the while Fifi was out in the weather, including snow and ice. I'm sorry to say that Boeing, who I worked for at the time, could not find hanger space to put Fifi indoors and the mechanics had to work inside a big plywood box that they had constructed around the engine.

Pucker factor 10!

Bombs away!

In November it snowed.

FYI, there is another B-29 named "Doc" in Wichita that is currently undergoing renovation to get it flight worthy. Unfortunately I haven't heard any news about it for several years, don't know what the current status is. The website hasn't been updated since June 2010. http://www.b-29doc.com/