B-29 "FIFI" no go!

michael luther · **Posted:** Fri Jul 08, 2005 3:14 pm

B-29 will not be at EAA.

mjanovec · **Posted:** Fri Jul 08, 2005 4:41 pm

michael luther wrote:

B-29 will not be at EAA.

Any word yet on it making it to Thunder Over Michigan? Or is it a case that if it can't make the EAA stop, it won't visit TOM either (since both are in roughly the same area of the country)?

Also, does Diamond Lil travel without Fifi at its side?

michael luther · **Posted:** Fri Jul 08, 2005 4:52 pm

The B-29 was only going to Osh becouse we had it booked at our show, the same with some of the B-17s. Out of the two shows we were the only show paying them to show up.

The word to day is the B-29 will not be at Thunder

, And the B-24 will travel on without the B-29.

mjanovec · **Posted:** Fri Jul 08, 2005 5:30 pm

michael luther wrote:

The B-29 was only going to Osh becouse we had it booked at our show, the same with some of the B-17s. Out of the two shows we were the only show paying them to show up.

The word to day is the B-29 will not be at Thunder

, And the B-24 will travel on without the B-29.

That's bad news, but there's always that risk with 60+ year old airplanes, I guess.

Perhaps the money set aside for Fifi can be put towards attracting another bomber (or some more fighters) to the show...if it isn't too late to start shopping around for a replacement.

bdk · **Joined:** Sun May 02, 2004 1:16 am **Posts:** 11324

http://www.airventure.org/2005/news/050707_fifi.html

Quote:

WING CORROSION FORCES CAF TO ABORT B-29 FIFI'S OSHKOSH PLANS
B-24 Diamond Lil Still Scheduled to Appear

EAA received word Thursday, July 7, that the Commemorative Air Force will not be able to bring its B-29 bomber Fifi, the world's only flying example of the type, to EAA AirVenture Oshkosh 2005 because of significant corrosion found in the left wing during the airplane's annual inspection. CAF representatives say they are still flying its B-24A (LB-30) Liberator Diamond Lil to Oshkosh. This airplane is the world's oldest flying four-engine aircraft and has been in service continuously since prior to WWII.

"Due to unforeseen maintenance and repairs, which has been held up due to waiting for parts, a rebuild of one wing has taken longer than planned," said Jim Stewart, CAF Tour Director for the B-29/B-24. "Our maintenance crew has worked long and hard since discovering metal which needed to be replaced, but this should be completed soon, and Fifi, should safely return to the skies late this summer."

EAA President Tom Poberezny said that although EAA is disappointed the Fifi would not appear at the World's Greatest Aviation Celebration in 2005, aviation and warbird enthusiasts are still eager to see Diamond Lil, the first B-24 to appear at Oshkosh in a decade.

"Diamond Lil will be a spectacular addition to our lineup on AeroShell Square," he said. "We also appreciate the tireless efforts of CAF's maintenance crew as it tried to get Fifi ready for a flight to Oshkosh."

Warbird enthusiasts can follow progress of Fifi's repairs at www.cafb29b24.org.

Tour schedule:

http://www.cafb29b24.org/toursched2005.shtml

News:

http://www.cafb29b24.org/news.shtml

Quote:

July 6, 2005
Work continues on the B-29 , and will require some time to complete , as parts availability is resulting in some additional delays. We regret that we will NOT be able to attend Oshkosh , with FIFI , this year , as we had planned. We expect our B-24A "Diamond Lil" to be shown at Waukegan, Traverse City, Madison, Oshkosh, and Willow Run . Other CAF aircraft may join Lil , such as the JU-52 German Transport , at Waukegan.

Aircraft Mech Paul · **Posted:** Sat Jul 09, 2005 12:10 pm

Hi All,

I would have kinda guessed at this one. From what I saw of web photo's from a previous link/thread here, Fifi looked to be going through what amounted to a real heavy "D" check given all of the fuselage sheetmetal they were replacing. And now the dreaded wing corrosion issue.

If I may interject something here, it doesn't surprise me about the wing corrosion. Boeing, at least from the jetliners I have been around for the past 23 yrs or so, mainly uses 7075 for the primary strength and strutural items. Great stuff, strong as heck, but the downfall is that it corrodes more quickly than a 2024 material. It is also more susceptible to cracking (7075) due to it's strength and rigidity. So it is kind of a double edged sword....you trade longevity for strength up front and you have a great aircraft. And let's face it, Fifi was never designed to be "here" with us flying as she has been for all this time. Looks like Father Time is fast catching up with her. But, with proper maintenance she'll be with us much longer than she ever was intended by her designers. As long as she is getting what she needs of course. Though I did know, at one time, that the biggest concern for Fifi was her wing center box and the potential for corrosion issues there. Any more knowledge on this out there ??

One question though, didn't Fifi get an "overhaul" at Boeing not too terribly long ago ?? Or was that just a wiring issue that Boeing took care of ?

Respectfully,

Paul

goshikisen · **Posted:** Sat Jul 09, 2005 5:19 pm

Does anyone know if the CAF will return FIFI to her bare aluminum finish? The metallic paint they've used on her looks a bit odd...

Can't wait to see FIFI and DOC flying together someday.

Steven M. Dennis · **Posted:** Sat Jul 09, 2005 8:45 pm

mjanovec wrote:

Perhaps the money set aside for Fifi can be put towards attracting another bomber (or some more fighters) to the show...if it isn't too late to start shopping around for a replacement.

Good idea! Is it too late to get the CWH Lancaster again?

Steve :wink:

tom d. friedman · **Posted:** Sun Jul 10, 2005 3:07 pm

a real bummer, i was looking forward to see her most of all in michigan, i love the other birds too, but never saw a 29 up close on the airshow circuit. well... i'm sure it will still be a fabulous show anyway!!

michael luther · **Posted:** Sun Jul 10, 2005 8:04 pm

Steven M. Dennis wrote:

mjanovec wrote:

Perhaps the money set aside for Fifi can be put towards attracting another bomber (or some more fighters) to the show...if it isn't too late to start shopping around for a replacement.

Good idea! Is it too late to get the CWH Lancaster again?

Steve :wink:

The CWH is selling rides on the lanc during that weekend. We were interested in the lanc but its unavalible.

michael luther · **Posted:** Sun Jul 10, 2005 8:05 pm

goshikisen wrote:

Does anyone know if the CAF will return FIFI to her bare aluminum finish? The metallic paint they've used on her looks a bit odd...

Can't wait to see FIFI and DOC flying together someday.

It will stay painted.

Aircraft Mech Paul · **Posted:** Sun Jul 10, 2005 9:39 pm

Hmmm,

Interesting post. I bet that Fifi would look sweet if she were polished, but man oh man, the upkeep on a polish job !!! Paint is good enough I guess, but the weight savings would be offset with the labor involved with keeping up the polish. But ya know.......as any good Harley owner will tell you, "chrome makes it go faster".........

Regards,

Paul

TimAPNY · **Posted:** Sun Jul 10, 2005 10:35 pm

While I'm sad to hear FiFi will not be there, it looks like she is getting a lot of love right now and that is GREAT. Thanks for the Heads up on her dropping out.

I'll see be there with a smile ear to ear!

spookyboss · **Posted:** Mon Jul 11, 2005 6:56 am

Let me know and we can bring up the AC-47.

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B-29 "FIFI" no go!

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