CAF B-29 FIFI & paint

[Randy Haskin]

Safety is my primary concern with how we maintain this rare aircraft. Followed closely with attention to detail.

Great words, thanks.

I hope you guys didn't paint over the signatures that were put inside by us volunteers during the '91 restoration!

[retroaviation]

Great words, thanks.

I hope you guys didn't paint over the signatures that were put inside by us volunteers during the '91 restoration! [/quote]


Any signatures we find, we try to preserve. However, I haven't come across all that many. It is possible that they have been removed in previous years.

Gary

[Eric Friedebach]

Welcome aboard Gary!

There was an article in Aviation Maintenance a number of years ago about the cost/benefits of natural metal versus paint on commercial aircraft. It turns out to be a draw including factors such as the weight of the paint.

It was an old enough article not to be archived on the web, but I did find this one on the care of bare metal. Some good links there as well.

Of course FIFI is not a commercial aircraft. And Harlingen was not a friendly environment for aluminum.

[APG85]

What's the significance of the tail code - a large A in a black box?

[retroaviation]

What's the significance of the tail code - a large A in a black box?

Back in the War, there were some B-17s with the "Square A" on the tail, and a few B-29s with an "A". But none with the same type FIFI has. When Vic Agather retrieved FIFI out of China Lake, CA back in 1971, Ms. Agather was very understanding and patient with his frequent B-29 work. So, FIFI is the name of Vic Agather's wife, and the "A" on the tail officially stands for Agather (although now I jokingly tell people that it stands for Austin).

Gary Austin
Crew Chief, B-29/B-24 Squadron
Commemorative Air Force

[APG85]

Neat! I never knew that.......

[C170BDan]

the "A" on the tail officially stands for Agather (although now I jokingly tell people that it stands for Austin).

Yeah... I like that.... A is for Austin... now you just need a dog named FIFI!

[Randy Haskin]

Any signatures we find, we try to preserve. However, I haven't come across all that many. It is possible that they have been removed in previous years.

Mine is inside the dummy forward belly turret, as well as inside the left flap, which I re-skinned the top inboard portion of.

[Randy Haskin]

Here is a shot of Mr Agather at the "roll out" of FiFi after the restoration in Seattle in '91.

[Warbirdnerd]

I am anxious for you all to see the new FiFi! I was fortunate enough to get a tour of her from Gary this year at Airsho. You will be amazed at the amonut and the quality of the work that has been undertaken!
Keep up the great work Gary!

[APG85]

We all owe Mr. Agather a debt of thanks for getting that B-29 out of China Lake. FIFI's recovery paved the way for other B-29's to be retrieved (and brought their plight to the attention of a lot of museums). If Mr. Agatther and the CAF hadn't made the "discovery" of B-29's, they might have all been lost to scrapping. Just my opinion.....

[Jase]

I was in Midland earlier this month, and was able to see the work being done to Fifi. Gary, with all due respect, I gotta tell ya, the work looks GREAT!!!! You are the right guy for the job, and Fifi is lucky to have you and the volunteers' labours.

There's a big poster that shows all of the work, over and above "normal mx" that has been accomplished on Fifi over the last year or two, and its something like 150 line items. Just a HUGE project...

[Alan Brooks]

Gary and crew have been working like dogs to get the airplane ready. To see the volume of work accomplished is really amazing... for those who want to take a quick look go to the their website and checkout the newsletter, it's in a pdf format.. www.cafb29b24.org
What is even better is that Gary almost always has been accessible and will spend a minute with you to answer any questions and show you what work has been done. Really a nice guy and a very good AP. His love of history and aviation really shine! OK Gary, enough butt kissing..... back to work on Fifi! See you guys soon at Winter Conference! Alan Brooks

Gary could ya post a few pics of the bomb bay areas and other areas of work.. you can probably get a few volunteers to post the pics for you if you can't get them to post...

[Warbirdnerd]

Thanks Alan!
The October 2005 Flyer has the list.
Most impressive.

[retroaviation]

Gary could ya post a few pics of the bomb bay areas and other areas of work.. you can probably get a few volunteers to post the pics for you if you can't get them to post...[/quote]
_____________________________________________________________

I just went out to the airplane and took these photos for you. I hope they are sufficient. I'm not completely happy with how the items in the photos look right now, but with a little more detail work, we should have it looking a little more acceptable.

http://i25.photobucket.com/albums/c60/r ... C01210.jpg
http://i25.photobucket.com/albums/c60/r ... C01209.jpg
http://i25.photobucket.com/albums/c60/r ... C01211.jpg
http://i25.photobucket.com/albums/c60/r ... C01208.jpg
http://i25.photobucket.com/albums/c60/r ... 1371a7.jpg


I want to thank everyone for the kind words that they have posted. This has been an extremely long and difficult year for me and my crew. We sincerely appreciate everyone's patience with us while y'all wait for FIFI to get back on the airshow/tour circuit. Believe me, there is nobody on the planet who is more ready to see her flying again than me.


Gary Austin
Crew Chief, B-29/B-24 Squadron
Commemorative Air Force

Last edited by retroaviation on Mon Nov 21, 2005 3:24 pm, edited 1 time in total.