Dave~What's the plan for FIFI?

[B-25 C]

Have you any current photos please?

[CAPFlyer]

Anyone have photos of FiFi as she's "displayed" for AirSho?

(BTW, I edited this because I guess someone posted an errant link in here, I replied, and now the link is gone... )

[odessatx]

The display for FIFI at Air Sho, is basically the same as in the last photo post. With Air Sho, the tools go into the maintenance shops, and the floor is swept clean in preparation for the thousands of folks who come to see our girl. It is such a strange feeling to stop for a while to show her off! Next week will be recovery from Air Sho, and then it will be back to the routine of restoration, if there is such a thing as a routine in the restoration of a B29!

[B29B24crewchief]

Monday will be a fresh start again on the old girl. It's seems like I've been away for so long and she will probably not be happy. This week we will be getting the rest of the #3 engine stuff done. I have the carb back from Aero to put back on. Then there's the breather fiitting I just got from Anderson. After that, we can secure all the cowl panels and say it's good.
There's still some rigging on the Rt. wing aileron, trim tab, wiring the wing tip lights and finishing the close up of the wing section installation. Then we start to focus on the prep for the next engine arrival and get the #2 engine nacelle ready for installation. pics will follow!
Dave

[Tim Adams]

So are you guys getting the engine back from Rare Bear, or is it their's to keep, and keep modifying?

[B29B24crewchief]

The 3350 that was used on Rarebear was bought by Rod Lewis from Ray Anderson at Anderson Aeromotive and is there property. It would have been the next engine for "FIFI" but we thought of no better use than to let them have it for the simple reason it would be tested beyond it's limits of what we would push it for the B-29. It surpassed all expectations and performed as good as anyone would have expected, considering it wasn't built as a race engine!!
Dave

[Warbird Kid]

Good to hear Dave. Im sure some of the CAF officials that may have still been leery about the re-engine project probably are believers now.
Long live Gary's creed of keeping these birds flying:

Longevity, Reliability, and Safety.........if im not mistaken.

[engguy]

Dave, how many man hours does it take for a full overhaul on one of those R-3350's?

[pontiac58]

WOW is all i can say. I have been reading this post for the last couple of weeks and now this board. I finally joined up just to reply to this post.

Keep up the good work and get her back up in the air again.

I was lucky enough to get a ride in her about 16-17 years ago. It was right after she took out a taxiway sign with one of her props. She hit the sign before coming to Millville NJ.

After she landed at Millville, they took her up once during the weekend. I was elected to go due to all the time i put in at the museum. What a ride it was. I still remember the noise coming from the brakes, the sound of all those pistons hitting, and rumble she made going down the runway.

Get her back to Millville again. I would love to see her, in person again, and thank her for a great ride i will never forget.

[tex-fan]

hey pontiac58
good post, don't be a stranger, we like new folks

[pontiac58]

hey pontiac58
good post, don't be a stranger, we like new folks

Ill be around. I got away from the warbird scene about 10 years ago, due to some personal reasons with the museum. Then about a month ago someone said something about ww2 warbirds and i remembered that ride, so i went looking online to see what was up with her and i found this board (this board rocks by the way). I went to AV school to get my A&P but never took the tests. Was a dumb move back then, but i was too young (19 years old) and too dumb. I wish i was closer to FiFi, i would love to turn some wrenches on her.

[B29B24crewchief]

Hey ya'll, my door is always open to anyone that wants to come and help with my mistress! "FIFI" you need to be ready for anything and I will put you to work based on your abilities. Many things will be coming up but I must tell you that I really need skilled mechanics to get the bulk of this stuff done to be able to fly in the late spring of 2010!!
Dave

[JBrawner]

ill do what i can to come up with funds to make a trip down there, but also looking for a job as well. maybe something will come up where i can afford to, i have nothing but time at the moment. Btw i was really impress with all the work done so far, i loved the chance to finally walk thru... hated to be there for the reason i was there but enjoyed most of my first trip down to HQ and seeing the 29... and a extra treat was seeing the p-51. THe p-51 was amazing to see in person as well, with some kudos for those guys who put her back together.

[B29B24crewchief]

Hey John, it was really nice to see that you came down for the memorial! I will look forward to your help on the 29 or the 24 as you are able!
Dave

[B29B24crewchief]

The last 5 weeks have been a blur! I will show you the pics I have from when we were hanging the rt. wing section.