PRESS RELEASE – The Commemorative Air Force’s (CAF) iconic Boeing B-29 Superfortress bomber, FIFI, is headed to Florida this spring for a seven city, six week tour. FIFI is currently the only flying B-29 Superfortress in the world. The B-29 will be accompanied by a variety of other World War II aircraft including the beloved C-45 Expeditor, Bucket of Bolts; a T-6 Texan; and a PT-13 Stearman. The tour also hopes to include the CAF’s B-17 Texas Raiders and SB2C Helldiver at some stops; as well as Cavanaugh Flight Museum’s Corsair. Each year the CAF AirPower History Tour provides powerful “hands on” history lessons to audiences across the United States by bringing the sights, smells, sounds and stories of World War II aviation to the public at large. Visitors can view the aircraft up close and purchase rides in many of them. Advance reservations can be made at AirPowerTour.org.
The tour schedule for Florida:
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Clearwater, February 24-28
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Sarasota, March 2-6
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Leesburg, March 7-9
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Titusville, March 11-13 (TICO Airshow)
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Naples, March 16-20
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Lakeland, March 23-27
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Daytona Beach, March 30-April 3
The Boeing B-29 Superfortress, first flown in 1942, began active service in 1944 and is best known as the aircraft whose missions over Japan helped bring about the end of World War II. It was designed as a replacement for the older B-17s and B-24s, with longer range and greater bomb loads. The B-29 was also used in the Korean War in the early 1950s and was a staple of the U.S. Air Force until the late 1950s.
About the CAF’s B-29 Superfortress, FIFI
FIFI was acquired by the CAF in the early 1970s when a group of CAF members found her at the U.S. Navy Proving Ground at China Lake, California where she was being used as a missile target. The airplane was rescued and restored and flew for over thirty years until 2006 when the chief pilot made the decision to ground her pending a complete power plant re-fit. What followed was an extensive four year restoration that included replacing all four engines with new custom built hybrid engines. FIFI returned to the sky in 2010 and since that time has traveled coast to coast attracting large crowds at every tour stop. Learn more about FIFI and her tour schedule at www.AirPowerTour.org.
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Born in Milan, Italy, Moreno moved to the U.S. in 1999 to pursue a career as a commercial pilot. His aviation passion began early, inspired by his uncle, an F-104 Starfighter Crew Chief, and his father, a military traffic controller. Childhood adventures included camping outside military bases and watching planes at Aeroporto Linate. In 1999, he relocated to Atlanta, Georgia, to obtain his commercial pilot license, a move that became permanent. With 24 years in the U.S., he now flies full-time for a Part 91 business aviation company in Atlanta. He is actively involved with the Commemorative Air Force, the D-Day Squadron, and other aviation organizations. He enjoys life with his supportive wife and three wonderful children.
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