Another FIFI update

retroaviation · **Posted:** Wed Apr 26, 2006 1:41 pm

For those of you who haven't heard already, here is the latest on FIFI.........

After approximately six hours of flying time on her, FIFI has decided to once again give us some bad luck. #2 & #3 engines have both started making metal. We are very hopeful that we can fix this problem with removing the nosecases off of each engine and either repairing or replacing them. However, the chances of this being successful are slim. We are simply out of options for now, but as tired as we are, Andy and I will continue to try everything in our power to get her back in the air as soon and as safely as possible.

If these repair attempts do not work, we will be forced to park FIFI for a fairly long period of time...at least until we can re-engine the airplane with the later model of 3350 like I have had planned for some time now. This would require lots of time and money, so please bear with me until we can work this out. We are doing everything we can to make things happen.

If any of you know anyone who could possibly help us out financially, please, please contact us so that we can FIFI back in the air where she belongs.

Thank to those who have supported me and my crew throughout this entire ordeal,

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

Warbirdnerd · **Joined:** Fri Apr 30, 2004 7:34 pm **Posts:** 2923

Very sad news indeed.
Lets hope it's not as serious as it looks...

Robbie Stuart · **Posted:** Wed Apr 26, 2006 3:09 pm

Sorry to hear your bad news. Better to find them making metal & address the problem than to have some unexpected, really exciting flight time. I wish you the best of luck for a safe return to flying.

Robbie

Ollie · **Posted:** Wed Apr 26, 2006 3:22 pm

Extremely sad news...

I hope that you find out the problem and fix it quickly!!

Don't give up Gary!

:cry:

Aircraft Mech Paul · **Posted:** Wed Apr 26, 2006 4:26 pm

Gary,

very sad news. One quick question for you. And please bear in mind that I am not all "that" familiar with the 3350, but the metal you found in the oil screens. How did you determine it was coming from the nose case section ??

Paul

Tom Crawford · **Posted:** Wed Apr 26, 2006 4:47 pm

I wish I had the money or new 3350's for you and FIFI. She's beautiful and I'm sorry to hear your labor hours may be jeopardy at this point.
I only hope you find a problem you can deal with in the nose cases if that's where you think it may exist. Is FIFI in Midland? Best of luck to all of you...Tom

B-29 Super Fort · **Joined:** Wed Sep 01, 2004 11:12 am **Posts:** 871

Sorry to hear that news after working so hard to get FIFI back into the air. I wish you the best in finding a solution to the engine problems.

retroaviation · **Posted:** Wed Apr 26, 2006 5:08 pm

[quote="Aircraft Mech Paul"]Gary,

very sad news. One quick question for you. And please bear in mind that I am not all "that" familiar with the 3350, but the metal you found in the oil screens. How did you determine it was coming from the nose case section ??

We have three oil screens per engine on FIFI. One in each nose case, one on each rear oil sump and one that was added a few years back that catches the oil from the engine, before it goes to the oil tanks.

One of the engines (#3) gave me pieces of teeth from the nosecase chip detector, so that one is pretty obvious to us where it's coming from. The #2 engine is being a bit more difficult to pinpoint. We have other reasons (too much to type here) to think that there are nosecase issues with it, but the killer for us will be if it's further in the engine.

More to follow, if y'all are interested.

Gary Austin

phil65 · **Posted:** Thu Apr 27, 2006 1:09 am

Thanks for the info and good luck.
Were is she now?

bomberflight · **Posted:** Thu Apr 27, 2006 5:13 am

I'm very sorry to hear this news ~ I'm all booked to come across the Atlantic to be in Richmond next week ...... specifically to fly onboard Fifi

Will Diamond Lil continue on tour on her own ?

With best wishes for Fifi's full recovery

retroaviation · **Posted:** Thu Apr 27, 2006 8:54 am

Were is she now?

FIFI is still in Midland. We have started the disassembly on her to see if her engines can be repaired or not.

As of right now, Diamond Lil is still here as well and won't go to the Atlanta show. We are unsure of how her tour schedule will look, as she doesn't typically do that well without FIFI next to her. Hopefully, I will be able to tell all of you more next week after we've gotten further into this engine issue with the B-29.

Gary Austin

bomberflight · **Posted:** Thu Apr 27, 2006 9:01 am

Gary ~ many thanks for the prompt update !

My very best wishes to you and the team for the work ahead

corsairboss · **Posted:** Thu Apr 27, 2006 11:29 am

maybe for those of you who where going to take a flight in FIFI this year, go ahead and send in your "Donation" to help with the engine funds, and at a later date when all is done and "Fifi" is ready to fly you will be given a Sponsor Flight at a later date near you. Just my cents. Look forward to seeing "Fifi" back in the air, and looking forward to putting some Wings of Valor Aircraft beside her for some air to air shots.

Former Member · **Joined:** Mon Aug 29, 2005 1:40 pm **Posts:** 1493

Sad news...(I'm cringing as I type this)...my boys and I were looking forward to seeing her and Diamond Lil in Oshkosh this summer but I guess we'll have to wait awhile longer.

John

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