Recently, I had a chance to see a piece of history, the B-29 Superfortress Fifi.
3,970 Boeing B-29 SuperFortress aircraft were built. They were an advanced long range bomber that went into service toward the end of World War II. This was a 4 engine, propeller driven, pressurized aircraft with nearly 10,000 total horsepower. It was a B-29 SuperFortress that that carried out the atomic bomb attacks on Hiroshima and Nagasaki. The training for those attacks took place at the historic Wendover Airfield, only 120 miles from where I live.
This past weekend, the only flyable B-29 SuperFortress at present*, ‘Fifi’, was at the Salt Lake airport. They were giving tours and rides. The B-29 Superfortress ‘Fifi’ is owned by the Commemorative Air Force. They have been touring the country with the B-29 Superfortress throughout the summer. They want to keep the memory of this magnificent aircraft alive. I took the opportunity to go out and shoot some photos of the B-29 Superfortress ‘Fifi‘ while it was here.
I am drawn to the roar of a radial engine. And if 4 of them, 2200 horsepower each, fly past, it gets my attention. The smoke, the noise, the huge props, the old aluminum. It all creates emotion with me. This old B-29 Superfortress takes a lot of runway. It turns a lot of gas into a lot of noise, and climbs out slowly. It looks a little weird but is beautiful as can be. I am glad there are those who are dedicated to preserving this history.
Subject: Aviation History – B29 SuperFortress
*Recently, I became aware of efforts to restore another B-29 Superfortress, Doc, into flying condition. There are some promising photos and video on their website. I really, really hope this group is able to complete the restoration. I’ve always thought it a shame that there was only one operational B-29 Superfortress left. Especially given the fact that nearly four thousand of these incredible aircraft were built.
