By Kevin Wilkins
The Commemorative Air Force’s B-29/B-24 Squadron has released the schedule for its 2026 AirPower History Tour, bringing one of the most remarkable collections of flying Second World II aircraft to communities across the United States. Designed to “Educate, Inspire, and Honor,” the traveling tour offers aviation enthusiasts and families an opportunity to see, hear, and experience historic American military aircraft in ways that no static museum display can replicate. The tour features several rare and iconic aircraft, including the B-29 Superfortress FIFI and the B-24 Liberator Diamond Lil, along with other historic warbirds that allow visitors to experience living aviation history firsthand.
Unlike traditional airshow displays, the AirPower History Tour allows visitors to get up close to the aircraft, explore their interiors, and even take to the skies in a variety of ride flight experiences. At each stop, crews provide educational briefings and share the stories of the aircraft and the men and women who designed, built, maintained, and flew them during pivotal moments in American history.
At the center of the tour is the legendary Boeing B-29 Superfortress FIFI, one of only two B-29s in the world still flying today. The aircraft was rescued in the early 1970s by members of the Commemorative Air Force after it was discovered abandoned at the U.S. Navy’s China Lake Proving Ground in California. After decades of flying on the tour, FIFI underwent a major $3 million restoration beginning in 2006 that included the installation of newly built engines. The aircraft returned to the air in 2010 and has continued traveling across North America, introducing new generations to one of the most sophisticated bombers of the Second World II.
Joining FIFI on many stops is Diamond Lil, the world’s only regularly flying Consolidated B-24 Liberator. The B-24 holds the distinction of being the most-produced multi-engine aircraft in history, with more than 18,500 examples built during the war. Seeing the massive bomber in flight offers a rare glimpse into the scale and complexity of Allied strategic air power.
Additional aircraft frequently appearing on the tour include the North American P-51 Mustang “Gunfighter,” the Boeing-Stearman PT-13 biplane trainer, and the North American T-6 Texan advanced trainer. These aircraft represent different stages of pilot training and combat aviation during the war years. The PT-13 Stearman, with its open cockpit, introduced countless pilots to flight, while the T-6 Texan prepared them for combat aircraft and later served in military training roles into the 1970s.
For those seeking a deeper experience, the tour offers ride flights aboard several aircraft. Each experience includes a detailed crew briefing explaining the aircraft’s history and operational role before passengers climb aboard. From engine start and taxi to takeoff and landing, participants experience the sights, sounds, and vibrations of historic warbirds exactly as wartime crews once did. Following the flight, passengers often have the opportunity to photograph the aircraft and speak directly with the volunteer crews who keep them flying.
Each year, the AirPower History Tour travels thousands of miles, visiting airports, aviation museums, and major aviation gatherings across the country. The 2026 tour will begin in Dallas, Texas, during Warbird Weekend on April 11 before continuing to events and tour stops around the nation throughout the spring, summer, and fall. (Commemorative Air Force)
| 2026 AirPower History Tour Schedule April 11 – Dallas, Texas April 14–19 – Lakeland, Florida (SUN ’n FUN Aerospace Expo) April 25–27 – Fort Worth, Texas April 29–May 3 – Montgomery, Alabama May 6–10 – Savannah, Georgia May 13–17 – Millington, Tennessee May 20–25 – Chattanooga, Tennessee May 27–31 – Johnstown, Pennsylvania June 3–7 – Reading, Pennsylvania (World War II Weekend) June 10–14 – Bridgeport, West Virginia June 17–21 – Akron/Canton, Ohio June 24–28 – Lexington, Kentucky July 1–5 – Dayton, Ohio July 20–26 – Oshkosh, Wisconsin (EAA AirVenture) September – Various western tour stops (TBA) October – Various southern tour stops (TBA) |
Dates and aircraft appearances may vary depending on maintenance requirements, weather, and operational considerations. Operated almost entirely by volunteers, the B-29/B-24 Squadron represents one of the most ambitious flying museum efforts in the world. The organization brings together crews, pilots, mechanics, and historians from dozens of Commemorative Air Force units to preserve and operate some of the rarest aircraft still flying. For aviation enthusiasts, the AirPower History Tour provides an experience that goes far beyond simply seeing historic aircraft. It offers the opportunity to hear the roar of radial engines, smell the aviation fuel, and feel the vibration of machines that once helped shape the course of history. For more information about tour stops, aircraft appearances, or ride flight reservations, visitors can consult the official AirPower History Tour website.
