CAF AirPower History Tour attendees will be able to view the aircraft up close, including a tour of FIFI’s cockpit.
The Commemorative Air Force (CAF) has announced that the AirPower History Tour, which features the iconic B-29 Superfortress FIFI, will be postponing their spring tour stops until later in April due to maintenance issues.
Brad Pilgrim, the General Manager of the CAF B-29/B-24 Squadron, said that on occasion, when dealing with a 70-year old airplane, simple maintenance issues that are normally easy to accomplish can turn into more complicated and time-consuming endeavor. He added that “FIFI has not cooperated with us over the last few weeks and will not depart for our spring tour on schedule. We hope to reschedule as much of this tour as possible starting in mid-April. Our highly experienced maintenance staff and volunteers always put the safety and well-being of our crew, passengers, and airplane first.”
Accordingly, the tour has scheduled new dates for the following stops:
- Goodyear, AZ – April 6-9
- Mesa, AZ – April 11-16
- Camarillo, CA – April 18-23
- Bullhead City, – AZ April 26-30
- Palm Springs, – CA May 2-7 (Tentative)
In addition, according to the website, the following stops are dates are now on the schedule as well:
- Dallas, TX – May 19-21
- Bowling Green, KY – May 22-24
- Smyrna, TN – May 25-28
- Trenton, NJ – May 29-31
- Reading, PA – June 2-4
- Hagerstown, MD – June 7-11
- Lexington, KY – July 5-9
Original Post 1-19-17: CAF AirPower History Tour Bringing Us Fifi, P-51, T-6 Texan and More
The Commemorative Air Force (CAF) has shared the schedule for the upcoming CAF AirPower History Tour, which will feature FIFI, the only fully restored Boeing B-29 Superfortress currently in operation (though Doc’s looking to change that very soon.) The CAF acquired FIFI in the early 1970s, after she was found at the US Navy Proving Ground in China Lake, CA, and was set to be used as a missile target. After restoring her to airworthy condition, FIFI’s been traveling the country for over 40 years, providing crowds with a look at a one-of-a kind aircraft.
However, FIFI will not be flying solo on the AirPower History tour, and will be accompanied by a P-51 Mustang, C-45 Expeditor, T-6 Texan, and more.
The CAF are excited to bring these aircraft on tour, saying that they “are powerful history lessons that bring the sights, sounds, and stories of World War II aviation to audiences across North America. They exemplify the hard work and sacrifice of the Greatest Generation – men and women who answered the call of duty when freedom was threatened. The aircraft are symbols of the freedom enjoyed in the United States today and the CAF is dedicated to passing along their story to future generations.”
The CAF will be offering tour attendees the chance to view all the aircraft up close, take a tour through the B-29’s cockpit, and book rides on the different aircraft.
Schedule For the Upcoming CAF AirPower History Tour
- Tucson, AZ – February 23 to 26
- Mesa, AZ – March 1 to 5
- Goodyear, AZ – March 8 to 12
- Bullhead City, AZ – March 15 to 19
- Camarillo, CA – March 21 to 26
- Palm Springs, CA – March 29 to April 2
- Amarillo, TX – April 5 to 9
The rest of the schedule for the tour will be shared by the CAF later this coming Spring. For more information on the aircraft and to book rides, visit the tour webpage here. As a side note, the CAF is saying that anyone going on rides must be at least 12 years old, and able to physically climb into and out of the aircraft under their own power.
Featured Image: taken by Disciples of Flight’s own Jim Hoddenbach, during a prior FIFI visit
The B-17 All American: The Truth Behind the Tall Tale
Wings ablaze with gunfire, the Messerschmitts pilot aimed his fighter directly at the nose of the All American. The crew aboard the B-17 Flying Fortress had seconds to respond. The bomber’s nose gun flashed in reply. The gunners of the lead bomber joined the fray, raking the air with bullets.
At the last moment, the fighter turned to pull away. Suddenly, the pilot froze – one of the American gunners had found their mark. The fighter shot right over the cockpit [Click here to read more…]
