Dave~What's the plan for FIFI?

[Iclo]

Very impressive "beast"

What's the plan for the installation of the 3 remaining engine ?
Putting them and finishing their installation separatly (like for the first one) or installating them together to perform all the same tasks on the same time ?
Sorry for the dumb questions, from a "idiot warbird lover" who enjoy to take a short break in its day of labour to read so beautiful story

[flyingsailor]

Iclo
I will try to answer for Dave, as he is on vacation. We plan on building up and installing each engine as we receive them. From this point until the fourth engine is complete, we will be receiving an engine about every month to month and half, which is enough time to install engine, cowl, prop etc. This also allows Dave some additional time to finish the "annual" inspection of the aircraft.

We have a very specific time frame for wanting to get the aircraft back operational, which we think we can accomplish.

I hope this answers your questions.

Chris Trobridge

CAF B-29/B-24 Squadron
PIO

[Iclo]

Thanks Chris for the answer

Regards

Iclo

[steve dickey]

Steve
Have you done any of the work on our projects there, or have you been busy with one of the other aircraft in the hangar in B-ridge...

No not me. one guy mostly. I keep busy on the "other" A/C

[Chief]

Since Chris mentioned the "Annual" inspection, here is Dave up on our big B-2 stand checking
out the rudder mounts.

[odessatx]

While the cat's away, the mice will play...

Neal completes the tape so that Dave can paint.




Mark welds yet another stainless steel panel to cover old exhaust openings.




Dave makes the life member board at CAF HQ. Way to go Dave!

[B29B24crewchief]

Thanks everyone for your comments and help with everything while I was gone!

The engine arrived Monday!
This is Wayne, from Alberta, Canada. He's one of our Squadron members down for a week of fun in the Midland hangar!
He's working on putting the lifting assy. on so we can get it out of the can.



Jim and Tom are helping unbolt the mounts that hold it firm in the can.





Dave

[Brad]

I'm loading my tools now and should be there for work in the morning!

[engguy]

Any of the Abbot engines come in yet?

[B29B24crewchief]

Not yet! We are hoping for an engine soon!

Dave

[engguy]

Since some top placing race planes at Reno, had engines by Anderson, I think it was 3 not sure though, does that mean other than the one from Abbot that the rest of the engines will be from Anderson?

[B29B24crewchief]

All our engines will be Anderson engines! I have the utmost confidence in there ability to produce the best and most reliable engines in the world. They have a great facility, great people and are committed to a level of quality, second to none! Not only that, they deliver on time and on budget. No one else can compare!

Dave

[B29B24crewchief]

This has been an amazing week! We got so much done in the last 5 days. Chief Flynn got here Monday and went right to work, getting the #2 engine ready for hanging. Then Max got in on Tuesday morning from SLC Utah and was busy doing the same. Then there was Brad, Poor guy! He came down last Thursday on a 2 day pass and stayed till yesterday, to see and help hang the #2 engine and get the last of the old B-29 engines off!!! His home in Altus was still without power but I don't think that bothered him a bit. In fact, I think 9 days with "FIFI" is really what he needed. Sorry Christine, you get what's left of him!!

Here's Brad and Chief Flynn getting the sling put on.




The sling is on and now it's time to pull the engine out of the Whiting stand


This is not always easy!!


It's Hangin" Time!




Max and Brad working the Comealong, to line up the mount ring to the mount bolts.




Easy does it. Nice and slow.


Everything going well and lining up.




Thats it! All 6 bolts in and nuts on!


Great job Guys!!!


Now it's time to get the last old B-29 engine off the Ol' Girl.


#4 engine off!





Back row left is Max. right is Guy. Front left is Brad. Front and center is Chief Flynn and myself to the right.
What a great crew I had the pleasure of working with!! Thanks for all your help. I couldn't have done this without you!!!

[Brad]

Testicles leaves for a new life in Idaho with Anderson Aeromotive.


New engine #2 just about ready to go on the wing.


Just waiting for the new adapter for the hoist!


Check the difference between the nacelles for the new and old engines.



Dave guides #2 into place.


And she's on!


Mark Baxter driving the forklift.


#4 about to come off.


A few inside shots.





I'm pretty sure this little touch was added by Gary.



My wife, Kristine, finally tours "the other woman" in my life. She has worked on FiFi before but had never looked inside until now.


The third engine should be here in a matter of weeks!

[6trn4brn]

Dang...those engines are works of art...seems a shame to have them all closed-up in their nacelles...how big of a pain in the buttocks would it be to maybe open one of the nacelles when ya bring FiFi around for the airshows? Fantastic work ya'll are doing...can't wait to see the old girl out on the circuit again