The CAF’s B-29 FiFi is flying once more, after main engine repairs this spring. The historic WWII plane is 1 of solely 2 B-29 Superfortress bombers nonetheless flying on this planet. The opposite, DOC, relies in Wichita, KS.
The B-29 in fact was cemented into historical past 80 years in the past, when the Enola Homosexual dropped the atomic bomb on Hiroshima.
FiFi was stored grounded again in April, following winter upkeep, and simply earlier than the squadron was scheduled to kickoff their 2025 tour. The aircraft flies across the nation yearly because the flagship of the AirPower Historical past Tour, visiting choose air reveals and occasions and promoting rides.
Pre-flight engine runs revealed a vital half not working accurately
Again in April, throughout a routine pre-flight engine run, the crew found the impeller spinner discharge valve was not working accurately. It’s a vital a part of the supercharger system on the bomber’s Curtiss-Wright R-3350 engines, and helps regulate fuel-air strain when working the engines.
It was shortly decided that 2 of the aircraft’s 4 advanced radial engines must be eliminated, repaired, and put again on FiFi. Engines #2 and #4, affectionately named Mitzi and Betty, had been fastidiously eliminated and shipped to Classic Plane Radial in CA.
The invoice is over $350,000. As a non-profit, they rely closely on donations, sponsorships and journey gross sales at occasions and air reveals. With the aircraft grounded, not solely did they’ve a really costly job, however they had been shedding income too, since they needed to cancel the start of their 2025 tour.
A donation website was setup, and to date they’ve raised over $75,000. There’s nonetheless an extended strategy to go. We encourage our readers and supporters to donate to the trigger HERE.
The defective valves had been examined and calibrated to unique producer specs utilizing a stream bench, says the CAF on the fundraising web page.
As soon as repaired and reassembled the engines had been put via rigorous testing. With confidence within the repairs, the engines had been then despatched on a 18-hour drive again to CAF in Dallas to rejoin FiFi.
Engines put in in report time
The freshly repaired engines arrived on the aircraft June 16. The crew put in them in report time, says the CAF.
With all 4 engines again in motion, all that was left was to run her up. On June 21, that’s what they did. The crew reported a couple of changes wanted, however no huge deal.
All that was left, was to fly. A couple of days later, they did, and FiFi soared once more.
With the historic warbird now again in motion, the tour is on, with a deliberate first look quickly in Ohio. Go to their web site right here and e book your go to with FiFi!
