Warbird Information Exchange

DISCLAIMER: The views expressed on this site are the responsibility of the poster and do not reflect the views of the management.
It is currently Sat Jun 28, 2025 10:02 am

View unanswered posts | View active topics


Board index » General Discussion » The WIX Hangar

All times are UTC - 5 hours


Classic Wings Magazine WWII Naval Aviation Research Pacific Luftwaffe Resource Center
When Hollywood Ruled The Skies - Volumes 1 through 4 by Bruce Oriss


Post new topic Reply to topic  Page 1 of 2
  [ 19 posts ]  Go to page 1, 2  Next
  Previous topic | Next topic 
Author Message
retroaviation
 Post subject: FIFI Flies!!!
PostPosted: Sun Apr 23, 2006 4:58 am 
Offline
Co-MVP - 2006
User avatar

Joined: Fri Nov 18, 2005 10:39 am
Posts: 4468
Location: Midland, TX Yee-haw.
After 19 months and right at 15,000 hours of labor, FIFI took to the air. We ended up having two seperate flights, putting a total of just over three hours on her. We only had two minor discrepancies to address after the first flight, which took only about an hour to resolve. We hope to be on tour next week, starting in Atlanta.

Gary Austin
Crew Chief, B-29/B-24 Squadron
Commemorative Air Force
Top
 Profile  
 
APG85
 Post subject:
PostPosted: Sun Apr 23, 2006 7:05 am 
Offline
2000+ Post Club
2000+ Post Club
User avatar

Joined: Tue Nov 15, 2005 6:23 pm
Posts: 2953
Location: Somewhere South of New Jersey...
Awesome!!!!!!!! :D
Top
 Profile  
 
B-29 Super Fort
 Post subject:
PostPosted: Sun Apr 23, 2006 8:05 am 
Offline

Joined: Wed Sep 01, 2004 11:12 am
Posts: 871
Congrats. Glad to see FiFi will be back on the show circuit soon.
Top
 Profile  
 
Dan K
 Post subject:
PostPosted: Sun Apr 23, 2006 8:42 am 
Offline
Long Time Member
Long Time Member
User avatar

Joined: Fri Apr 30, 2004 7:13 pm
Posts: 5664
Location: Minnesota, USA
Congrats, Gary and the entire maintenance crew!

Fair skies, tailwinds, cold beer, etc.

_________________
It was a good idea, it just didn't work.
Top
 Profile  
 
Planebeach
 Post subject:
PostPosted: Sun Apr 23, 2006 11:33 am 
Offline

Joined: Sat Apr 15, 2006 5:57 pm
Posts: 80
Location: Mjøndalen, Norway
Great news :D
Top
 Profile  
 
warbirdguy
 Post subject:
PostPosted: Sun Apr 23, 2006 12:53 pm 
Offline
User avatar

Joined: Sat Sep 24, 2005 6:36 pm
Posts: 917
Location: Valparaiso, IN
Fantastic News :D Can't wait to see them at Indianapolis!!

_________________
"Keep 'em Flying!"
Top
 Profile  
 
Alan Brooks
 Post subject: Fifi!
PostPosted: Sun Apr 23, 2006 1:28 pm 
Offline
User avatar

Joined: Fri Apr 30, 2004 12:17 am
Posts: 741
Location: Burleson, Tx
GO BABY GO!
Alan

_________________
Just call me Al.
Top
 Profile  
 
TimAPNY
 Post subject:
PostPosted: Mon Apr 24, 2006 7:38 am 
Offline
WRG Staff Photographer & WIX Brewmaster
User avatar

Joined: Fri Jun 04, 2004 8:57 am
Posts: 3532
Location: Chapel Hill, TN
Great job, I can't wait to see it!

Tim

_________________
www.tailhookstudio.com
Top
 Profile  
 
Former Member
 Post subject:
PostPosted: Mon Apr 24, 2006 12:16 pm 
Offline
No Longer Active - per request

Joined: Mon Aug 29, 2005 1:40 pm
Posts: 1493
GREAT NEWS...can't wait to see her this summer at EAA Airventure!!!!

John
Top
 Profile  
 
systemofadown1162
 Post subject:
PostPosted: Mon Apr 24, 2006 8:25 pm 
Offline
Digital Sniper
User avatar

Joined: Sat Sep 10, 2005 11:59 am
Posts: 681
Location: Florida
Hooah and congradulations! :D

_________________
The conquest of space is worth the risk of life. - Gus Grissom
Top
 Profile  
 
Robbie Stuart
 Post subject:
PostPosted: Wed Apr 26, 2006 8:14 am 
Offline
2000+ Post Club
2000+ Post Club
User avatar

Joined: Tue May 04, 2004 2:14 pm
Posts: 2370
Location: Atlanta, GA
Gary this is great news. Due to a prior commetment, it does not look like I will be at the Dobbins/NAS Atlanta show this weekend. :( We had made plans many months ago to be at Road Atlanta for The Walter Mitty Historic Races. If you happen to make a stop over at PDK I will try & look you up. Its good to know that FiFi has returned to the sky. A job well done to ya. Guys like you make it happen! :D
My Best Regards :partyman:
Robbie

_________________
Fly Fast Make Noise!
Top
 Profile  
 
wendovertom
 Post subject:
PostPosted: Thu Apr 27, 2006 12:49 pm 
Offline
2000+ Post Club
2000+ Post Club
User avatar

Joined: Thu Sep 23, 2004 3:00 pm
Posts: 2148
Location: Utah
My understanding is that on this maiden flight TWO engines developed issues and FIFI is grounded pending a complete rebuild of at least two engines and potentially all four :cry: I was told this by a member of the FIFI crew in Midland.

Tom P.
Top
 Profile  
 
retroaviation
 Post subject:
PostPosted: Thu Apr 27, 2006 1:04 pm 
Offline
Co-MVP - 2006
User avatar

Joined: Fri Nov 18, 2005 10:39 am
Posts: 4468
Location: Midland, TX Yee-haw.
wendovertom wrote:
My understanding is that on this maiden flight TWO engines developed issues and FIFI is grounded pending a complete rebuild of at least two engines and potentially all four :cry: I was told this by a member of the FIFI crew in Midland.

Tom P.



I can't possibly imagine which crew member would have told you that information! The maiden flight for FIFI went VERY well, with only two very small discrepancies that were repaired within an hour. It was after about the sixth hour of flying that we developed engine troubles. It was the #2 and #3 engines that have given us our worries, not the other two as of right now.

I take great pride in my work and have tried very hard to give those interested in FIFI honest and accurate updates regarding what is going on with her. Unfortunately, rumors such as "two engines developing troubles on FIFI's maiden flight" sort of sting a little. I have enough worry and grief regarding this airplane and am working excruciatingly long hours trying to get her back into safe flying condition.

Please understand that I am not yelling at you, but at the same time, I would hope that you would trust me with my updates and that I am giving all of you accurate news regarding FIFI's fate.

Thank you,
Gary Austin
Crew Chief, B-29/B-24 Squadron
Commemorative Air Force
Top
 Profile  
 
Jase
 Post subject:
PostPosted: Thu Apr 27, 2006 11:20 pm 
Offline

Joined: Sat Nov 06, 2004 11:09 pm
Posts: 360
Location: Northern VA
Gary:

I think I speak for a LOT of folks when I give you a heart-felt THANK YOU SIR!! for the hellish long hours you've put in. As I said on the voicemail I left you earlier today, "Keep the faith". I know y'all will overcome this hurdle like you've overcome the other hurdles up to this point. FiFi looked 1000% better than I've ever seen her when you took us through her at MidWinter Staff. You are the right man for the job...

Thanks again, and please continue with the posts!

_________________
Regards,

Jase
www.b26marauder.com
"I'm having a BLAST!!" 2007 CAF Wing Staff Conference

RIP Gary Austin..always in our hearts
Top
 Profile  
 
mrhenniger
 Post subject:
PostPosted: Fri Apr 28, 2006 7:22 am 
Offline
S/N Geek
User avatar

Joined: Thu Apr 29, 2004 8:31 pm
Posts: 3790
Location: Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
Gary,

I am sure Tom meant nothing negative by it.

I really must thank-you for your regular updates. You are giving everyone who reads WIX an most excellant insight into the maintenance and operation of a B-29. It is very much appreciated.

I hope you, the crew and the B-29 have blue skies ahead, and that a doner is forthcoming.

Mike

_________________
Mike R. Henniger
Aviation Enthusiast & Photographer
http://www.AerialVisuals.ca
http://www.facebook.com/AerialVisuals

Do you want to find locations of displayed, stored or active aircraft? Then start with the The Locator.
Do you want to find or contribute to the documented history of an aircraft? If so then start with the Airframes Database.
Top
 Profile  
 
Display posts from previous:  Sort by  
Post new topic Reply to topic  Page 1 of 2
  [ 19 posts ]  Go to page 1, 2  Next

Board index » General Discussion » The WIX Hangar

All times are UTC - 5 hours


Who is online

Users browsing this forum: No registered users and 47 guests

You cannot post new topics in this forum
You cannot reply to topics in this forum
You cannot edit your posts in this forum
You cannot delete your posts in this forum
You cannot post attachments in this forum

Search for:
Jump to:  
Switch to mobile style
Powered by phpBB® Forum Software © phpBB Group