A place where restoration project-type threads can go to avoid falling off the main page in the WIX hangar. Feel free to start threads on Restoration projects and/or warbird maintenance here. Named in memoriam for Gary Austin, a good friend of the site and known as RetroAviation here. He will be sorely missed.
Tue Jun 15, 2010 10:01 pm
Thanks Chris for putting that up! I just watch it and sometimes can't believe it's real!!
WE have come along way and my thanks to all of those that have come out and helped and been apart of this historic event. It has been my honor and privledge to have watched over the volunteer and directed them in there tasks. To have accomplished what we have done in record time. A 4 year project in less than 2 years. My thanks to Anderson Aeromotive. Without them and there outstanding commitment to the best radial engines on the planet, we would not be where we are!! We are weeks away from flying!!!!
HooRah
Dave
Tue Jun 22, 2010 9:47 am
It's been a week since we've had an update. I'm going through FIFI withdrawal!!! That being said I'm sure you have way more important things to do than post on a message board. Keep up the good work! I can't wait to see her in the air. I've always wondered does anybody have any pictures of her when she was sitting at China Lake?
Tue Jun 22, 2010 10:20 am
wwrw2007 wrote:It's been a week since we've had an update. I'm going through FIFI withdrawal!!! That being said I'm sure you have way more important things to do than post on a message board. Keep up the good work! I can't wait to see her in the air. I've always wondered does anybody have any pictures of her when she was sitting at China Lake?
Dave, Rick, James and many others have been busy in Midland. Since Dave's last update the tires have been mounted, brakes assemblies gone through and rebuilt where necessary, retract tests, etc. I was fortunate enough to be able to help out a few days, however I was not there during the emergency gear extension (which I am happy about as it is over three hundred turns by hand in the bombbay!)
Dave sent me the following picture.

The goal is to have the aircraft down and begin power runs by the end of the week.
Keep up the good work Dave and Rick and all the volunteers making this happen! The airplane is getting closer and closer
Chris
Tue Jun 22, 2010 10:22 am
Gear up, what a beautiful sight! Even more beautiful when it's without jack stands and the props spinning.
Tue Jun 22, 2010 10:48 am
I just watched the video, and while I have never been a big fan of the B-29, I must say that it has changed my mind. What a beautiful machine she really is and a huge tip-o-the-hat to all involved in getting her this far.
Rick
Tue Jun 22, 2010 9:34 pm
Thanks for all the kind words! HQ has decided to make our first flight a media and public event. Having been told that today, please come and join us in witnessing the 1st flight on June 29th at 8:00 am, at the CAF hangar in Midland. Oh boy what fun!!
Dave
Tue Jun 22, 2010 9:52 pm
Wahoo! Looking forward to seeing this bird in the air again! (I would love to be there but alas I have to work...so photos are a must! )
Take care out there Dave...try not to get gottaflyitis..get it right!
Woot!
Wed Jun 23, 2010 7:37 am
That's great news Dave!
I sure was hoping it would be sometime during 4th of July weekend so I could be there...

Oh well, please post tons of photos.
-Derek
Wed Jun 23, 2010 12:38 pm
darn, that's less than a week away!
Wed Jun 23, 2010 2:28 pm
Wow! Next Tuesday is going to be an exciting day.
Wed Jun 23, 2010 6:39 pm
That is very exciting! Congrats to Dave and the whole crew. I know this is a moment they have all been longing for. The pressure is on!
Wed Jun 23, 2010 8:25 pm
No pressure! The airplane is ready and we will have a flawless flight test. That's my hope and sincerely feel it will go that way. The amount of time and energy that has gone into the airframe improvements as well as the improvements of the engines, gives us a high degree of confiidence in the airworthyness of this aircraft.
Dave
Wed Jun 23, 2010 8:37 pm
B29B24crewchief wrote:No pressure! The airplane is ready and we will have a flawless flight test. That's my hope and sincerely feel it will go that way. The amount of time and energy that has gone into the airframe improvements as well as the improvements of the engines, gives us a high degree of confiidence in the airworthyness of this aircraft.
Dave
Most excellent! I'm sure it will go exactly as you guys/gals planned.
Once FiFi does get flying are ya'll planning on taking her to any airshows this year, or will she just go through "shakedown" to iron out all the bugs for the rest of the season?
Wed Jun 23, 2010 8:47 pm
Do I hear Oshkosh?
Wed Jun 23, 2010 9:39 pm
<cough>Thunder?<cough>
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