Warbird Information Exchange

FIFI AGATHER, NAMESAKE FOR B-29, PASSES AWAY

MIDLAND, TEXAS (Oct. 8, 2007) – Josephine “Fifi” O’Connor Agather, namesake of the Commemorative Air Force’s (CAF) B-29 FIFI, passed away Sept. 22, 2007. The B-29 is the last airworthy B-29 Superfortress in the world.

In the 1960s, Victor Agather spearheaded the drive to add a B-29 to the CAF’s fleet and then successfully worked to remove the “no-fly” clause in the original agreement wit the Air Force. As a result, in 1974 the aircraft was named FIFI in honor of Agather’s wife.

The only remaining airworthy B-29 in the world, FIFI is currently on display at CAF International Headquarters in Midland, Texas, until the B-29/B-24 Squadron of the CAF raises $3 million to customize new engines for it. The B-29 was originally fitted with the Wright R-3350-57AM engine, which has had a less-than-desirable reputation since its inception. True to this reputation, FIFI has experienced numerous problems with its engines in the 30-plus years it has been flying with the CAF. Current plans are to combine R-3350-95W and R-3350-26WD

engines to customize engines for the B-29, but the B-29/B-24 Squadron must raise the funds before work on the engines begins. For information on donating to FIFI call (432) 563-1000, ext. 0 or go to www.commemorativeairforce.org and click on the “Save Fifi” link.

Always wondered where the name came from.

Sad to hear her passing though.

Now my question is this,

Is there a chance that during the rebuild process for the engines, we see Fifi shed her former scheme too? Blastmphy! I know but again, she can still be Fifi too.

What if you were to designate either the right or left side with the now famous name? Then you had the rest of the bomber to work with.

Connery, this airplane never had the OD Green paint. That was primarily for the early B-29's, if my memory serves me right. Either way, 44-62070 was never green, so it's highly unlikely that I'll ever paint it that way.