The Commemorative Air Force (CAF), proud operators of one of the FIFI, one of the two flying Boeing B-29 Superfortresses, has announced a delay in the start of the 2025 AirPower History Tour. During routine preseason inspections, the maintenance team discovered that Engines 2 and 4 require additional work to ensure continued airworthiness and safety. As a result, the launch of this year’s tour has been postponed. The CAF expects FIFI to return to the skies by late June, with the tour’s first stop planned for Lexington, Kentucky. While the delay is disappointing, the organization emphasizes that the safety of the crew, aircraft, and public is its top priority.
In the meantime, dedicated maintenance crews in Dallas and across the CAF network are working diligently to complete the necessary repairs and prepare FIFI for another successful tour season. This schedule shift also brings significant financial challenges. Keeping a B-29 airworthy is no small feat, and unforeseen maintenance increases operational costs. The CAF is asking those who believe in its mission of preserving and flying historic aircraft to consider making a donation in support of FIFI, the tour, and the hardworking team behind it.
Donations can be made online at: https://www.cafb29b24.org/donate. Every contribution plays a vital role in keeping living history alive and in the air. The CAF thanks its supporters for their continued encouragement and looks forward to welcoming the public back to experience FIFI up close when the tour resumes.
Had the privilege of seeing FIFI on the last day of her stay at the Mercer County Airport in West Trenton, New Jersey, on Sunday, June 23rd 2019; can’t believe it’s been nearly six years ago already. It was a bright, sunlit day and I stood, thankfully, in the shade which FIFI provided. Thinking of it now, I can’t imagine what effects occur when this aircraft has to sit in direct sunlight with that relentless exposure to UV rays.
When it was time for this B-29’s departure, the crew got around to running up the engines. From less than 80 yards away, it’s quite an impressive procedure. Once I figured out which runway FIFI was going to use to takeoff for Youngstown, OH, I scrambled to my vehicle and drove as quickly and sedately as I could to get to the western end of the airport. I called my brother quickly to tell him where to look, roughly, so he could see FIFI on her way to Ohio.
I saw the top of FIFI’s tail square up with the line of the East-West runway and then I just listened, camera phone at the ready. The crew wasted very little time getting FIFI rolling. Suddenly the thrum of four powerful engines could be heard growing louder with each moment. Then the B-29 appeared with her nose wheel in the air and the main gear lifting-off too. It went so quickly. The plane passed overhead in a literal crescendo of sound; the Sound of Freedom as it has been referred to over the decades. Soon, FIFI was a dwindling speck in the distance. I watched her until she was out of sight and then my brother called me back to say that he’d also gotten a look at FIFI the B-29 Superfortess.