Fifi Engine Status

[Tim Adams]

Just wondering, but does this same shop do work on the many race 3350's that are present at Reno? Are most of the 3350's in use at Reno, the later models?

[retroaviation]

Just wondering, but does this same shop do work on the many race 3350's that are present at Reno? Are most of the 3350's in use at Reno, the later models?

Precision has only been involved with one race engine that I know of, but I could be wrong. Jeff Abbott (who is now helping us with technical support) has built several racing engines and is excellent at it. We are also currently talking with the new management at Aircraft Cylinder & Turbines, who of course, are the ones responsible for Rare Bear's engines.

With Jeff and AC&T helping us with these later engines, we should have a pretty decent setup. Hmmm, perhaps an entry at the air races someday too......Hmmmmmm.

Gary

[Chris]

Hey Gary, I'm one of the million who stopped by last year at Airsho to ask the same questions as everyone else so I don't expect you to know me from Adam. I am a member of the Az Wing and am involved with restoring our MiG-15. My question is this. What model of 3350 are you going to try to update FIFI with. I may have access to complete DC-7 QEC's. I have no idea the extent of the engineering mods that may have to be done as well as the tons of paperwork, but if a DC-7 QEC on longterm loan would help to identify and sort out some of the problems, let me know.

[airnutz]

Hi Gary, sorry about this disappointing turn of events after you and your
crews hard work. I too was wondering which 3350's will best adapt to FiFi?
With the clearing-off of the Hawkins and Powers inventory, does the C-119
3350's hold any hope for you guys?

[bluethunder28]

I was thinking the same thing about H&P but with the engines off the KC-97 R 4360.

[retroaviation]

The engines that we plan on converting are the 3350-95W. We just happen to have nine of them (in various stages) in engine cans here at CAF HQ. I went through them some time back and it appears that several could make great engines, while others would be good for spare parts.

These -95W's (to the best of my knowledge) were on some late C-119's and are carbureted, PRT engines. We will not be using the PRT's or the entire blower section for that matter. Although we are still exploring our options, we are leaning towards the -26WD blower section to install on them.

We have many obstacles ahead of us to make this work, but we're already talking with several of your favorite Warbird guys that plan on helping us with it. I'm just not at liberty to talk about the explicit details right now. Not that we have any secrets with what's going on, but we just need to get everything ironed out so that we don't put out any false information.

Although this will be a ton of work, I ain't skeered. We have to build up a minimum of five QEC's so that we will have a spare...just in case. I am very excited that we are moving forward with this, as it's been something that, in my opinion, should have been done a long time ago. Stay tuned.

Gary Austin

[B-29 Super Fort]

The engines that we plan on converting are the 3350-95W. We just happen to have nine of them (in various stages) in engine cans here at CAF HQ. I went through them some time back and it appears that several could make great engines, while others would be good for spare parts.

These -95W's (to the best of my knowledge) were on some late C-119's and are carbureted, PRT engines. We will not be using the PRT's or the entire blower section for that matter. Although we are still exploring our options, we are leaning towards the -26WD blower section to install on them.

We have many obstacles ahead of us to make this work, but we're already talking with several of your favorite Warbird guys that plan on helping us with it. I'm just not at liberty to talk about the explicit details right now. Not that we have any secrets with what's going on, but we just need to get everything ironed out so that we don't put out any false information.

Although this will be a ton of work, I ain't skeered. We have to build up a minimum of five QEC's so that we will have a spare...just in case. I am very excited that we are moving forward with this, as it's been something that, in my opinion, should have been done a long time ago. Stay tuned.

Gary Austin

Gary: Sounds like a good long-term solution to the engine problems, best of luck.

[sconnor99]

Is there a link or an address you can post where people can contribute towards your efforts.

I was lucky enough to fly in "Fifi" a few years ago and would like to make a small contribution to help.

[Aircraft Mech Paul]

Gary,

M'freind, at least from my own personal perspective, it is much more important for FiFi to be "right" than airborne. You and your crew of volunteers have done a tremendous job to get her this far. I know, after seeing some of the photo's that have been posted, that the Old Girl has seen some pretty heavy attention. We all want her to fly for our "amusement" for many years to come. And a plane such as FiFi needs as much TLC as she can get. She's very complex for her time, cutting edge technology from the 1940's. My only thing would be hitting the lottery...then you would have your engines But that aside.....is she needs more down time, now is the time to give it to her.

In my career is has always been one of those...not enough time to do it "all". But now is the time.... AND...you guys probably really would LOVE to fly with DOC when that B-29 flies again. You are doing great things with parts/pieces/ and technology that hasn't been an "active" tech in years...and you're doing it brilliantly.

With all that said...you have nothing to apologise for with regard to disappointing folks. FiFi is just telling you she's not quite ready.

BEST of luck to you and your crew !!!

Paul

[Jiggersfromsphilly]

Ditto ! We will always be ready when and wherever FIFI is ready!

Hang Tough!

[APG85]

Fantastic airplane. If she never flew again, she would make an impressive static display. Keep "advertising" the engine problem. Perhaps a "Ross Perot" type person will come to FIFI's rescue with some $$.......

[retroaviation]

Is there a link or an address you can post where people can contribute towards your efforts.

I was lucky enough to fly in "Fifi" a few years ago and would like to make a small contribution to help.

Thanks again to all of the moral support! I gotta tell you that I'm floored by the support we've been getting. Sort of unexpected when there sometimes seems to be a lot of negative towards this organization. Perhaps we ARE making a difference?

Anyway, to my knowledge, the only links to support FIFI are: http://www.cafb29b24.org/
OR
http://www.commemorativeairforce.org/

I know that the head honchos at CAF Headquarters are working hard to get some sort of webpage set up for FIFI's support, so I'll be happy to post it then, if y'all wish.

Thanks again,
Gary

[groundpounder]

gary, thanks for your detailed update to my questions! are you open to some sort of commercial sponsorship to your plight? i would think that some big company would be able to donate 1 million if it were a tax writeoff. what about nascar or something along those lines that is close to the hearts of the people of america? maybe a little plugging on their behalf might help to prick their ears up. goodyear has really stepped up over the years with their blimp sponsorship. maybe something similar might work for you folks and others like you. of course this is easier said than done, and i have no personal connections to offer, but there are a lot of us out there and somebody must know someone, so the possibility could be out there. just my 2 cents worth, but you never know! keep your head high!!! sim.

[retroaviation]

gary, thanks for your detailed update to my questions! are you open to some sort of commercial sponsorship to your plight? i would think that some big company would be able to donate 1 million if it were a tax writeoff. what about nascar or something along those lines that is close to the hearts of the people of america? maybe a little plugging on their behalf might help to prick their ears up. goodyear has really stepped up over the years with their blimp sponsorship. maybe something similar might work for you folks and others like you. of course this is easier said than done, and i have no personal connections to offer, but there are a lot of us out there and somebody must know someone, so the possibility could be out there. just my 2 cents worth, but you never know! keep your head high!!! sim.

You bet! We have been diligently working on getting corporate sponsorships. Again, I am currently unable to discuss details here since I don't wish to put out any information that is based on speculation, but there have been efforts made with a couple ideas that I've personally had, along with ideas from others. The big thing though, is for us to consider any idea that comes our way. I think it's great to read all of the suggestions that we get from y'all. I pass along every one of them to the people who make things happen around here. After all, I'm only the Crew Chief.

Gary

[pbeegle1]

Gary:
You are more then the crew chief, YOU ARE THE MAN! I cannot thank you enough for the work you are doing on FIFI. I am still looking for the Mil, but the banks are hard to rob these days.

Philip Beegle