FIFI, THE LAST OF HER BREED

            She is the last of her breed. “Fifi”, a four engine Boeing B-29 bomber is the last of her line certified as airworthy that now tours the United States attending air shows and other aviation sponsored events. Once considered “massive” the airplane is now dwarfed by commercial aircraft as the huge Boeing 747 and other planes. But once on the ground visitors have the opportunity to tour the interior and see for themselves how airmen of World War flew.

            The history of the B-29 can be traced back to 1938 when designers came up with an idea to replace the famed Boeing B-17. It was the B-17 that carried the major part of the air war against Germany. But the difference between the airplanes was remarkable for its day.

            Where the B-17 was hampered by the lack of pressurization the B-29 crews flew in comfort at altitudes above 30,000 feet. Those crewing the B-17’s had to wear heavy flight suits with plug in electric connections (which often failed at high altitude) merely to survive the below zero weather.

            Gunners in the B-17 “Flying Fortress’s” also were further hampered by having to remove their gloves in order to fire their 50-calliber machine guns at enemy fighters. Many of these men suffered frost bite and some even had to suffer amputation of frozen fingers.

            But this was not the case of the B-29s. Flying in reasonable comfort the airmen could strip down to their t-shirts even at altitudes above 30,000 feet. But when they entered enemy airspace they were prudent enough to put on heavier clothing and have an oxygen mask handy. A single bullet through the aluminum skin would depressurize the plane in seconds.

            Leading into the Second World War the United States found itself in a situation where a long-range heavy duty bomber was needed. Finally when the B-29 became operational it was first based in China where it could reach mainland Japan. Hampered by engine failures the success of the first Incorporation of the airplane proved ineffective.  But as time went on engineers were able to work out the “bugs” of engine performance allowing more dependable performance.

            Finally when the Americans captured the Mariana Islands the massive bomber was situated at Tinian and Saipan. But it is Saipan that remains in history. It was from this airfield that the B-29 “Enola Gay,” named after Col. Paul Tibbets’ mother who was the pilot of this unprecedented mission, took off to deliver the first atomic bomb in history on Hiroshima Japan.

            At the end of World War II the B-29’s were used sparingly but was pressed into active service at the outbreak of the Korean War. But during this time propeller aircraft were being replaced with jet fighters and bombers. Soon the B-29’s were mothballed only to succumb to weather and disuse. Of the thousands of the “Super fortresses,” only one remains in flying condition. Scattered across the nation a few of these planes are used as static displays but unfortunately their flying days are over. The Smithsonian Aviation and Space Museum at Washington, D.C, now hosts the “Enola Gay” and the Museum of Flight at Boeing Field, Seattle has a restored B-29 on display.

            But if it were not for the Commemorative Air force (formally known as the “Confederate Air Force but changed its name for political correctness reasons), none of these historic airplanes would be flying today.

            This organization specializes in restoring vintage airplanes—especially World War II planes, to flying condition. Their prize however is “Fifi.”

            In 1971 the group scoured the world looking for a B-29 that could be reconditioned and made airworthy. Since the airplane was technically government property it would be necessary to change ownership and acquire Federal Aviation Administration certification for civilian use. The hunt was on.

            In 1971 a mothballed B-29 was found in the California desert near China Lake. It had been stored at the location for the past 17 years and had suffered from the heat, sand disuse and was slowly degenerating. Not giving up the CAF contacted the Navy (who had ownership of the plane) and negotiated a deal where the organization was able to take possession. On March 23, 1971, ownership and registration was transferred and the process of restoring began.

            It took only nine weeks for CAF volunteers to get the plane ready for flight. They replaced engines, instruments, window bubbles and controls and readying the airplane for a “ferry flight” to the organization’s home base at Harlington, Texas. After a 1,250 mile flight the plane landed at the home field and then spent the next three years and over $3,000,000 undergoing a complete restoration.

            The airplane is now based out of the CAF new base at Addison, Texas at the Jim Cavanaugh Flight Museum. Cavanaugh was a major contributor funding the restoration of Fifi.

            As a result of this dedicated work millions of people can again hear the thunderous melodic sound of the four powerful engines propelling this beautiful shinny relic across the sky.

            She is the last, and most likely no other, to grace the blue heavens reminding all of a world gone by.