Fifi Engine Status

[Steve S]

Hey folks- I heard a rumor that FIFI is still having some engine troubles and that after here last maintenance flight a few weeks ago they found that she was making metal in two of her engines.

Anyone have any news. I hope this is just a rumor as I was looking forward to seeing her at Barksdale in a few weeks.

Steve S

[Mike]

Try doing a search on 'Fifi' - this will answer all your questions!

http://warbirdinformationexchange.org/p ... php?t=7118

http://warbirdinformationexchange.org/p ... php?t=7163

Last edited by Mike on Thu May 04, 2006 6:25 pm, edited 1 time in total.

[retroaviation]

Yes, the rumors are true this time. FIFI has continued to plague us with engine troubles. After only approximately six hours of flying, #2 and #3 engines showed us signs of metal in the oil. Without getting into the gory details, we removed the nosecases off of both engines with hopes to try to make the appropriate repairs. Yesterday, we were just about to leave for Jeff Abbott's place (he was going to let us use his shop since we don't have the facilities here...great guy) with the nosecases, when I realized that we had gotten so caught up with the #2 & #3 engines that we hadn't checked the #1 & #4 engine screens yet. That is when we discovered that the #1 engine that we just installed after warranty work from Precision was full of metal.

Basically, what this means is that FIFI is done flying for now. Andy and I feel as if we've been kicked in the crotch. I cannot begin to describe the dissapointment we feel about our current run of luck. I also personally feel as if I've let many of you down by not having FIFI available for yet another flying season. I WILL continue to work hard to get her back in the air ASAP. The only thing is that we MUST re-engine the airplane with a later model 3350 in order to ever see her fly again....period! We currently have a plan in the works and believe it or not, we seem to have had an initial burst of support from many folks out there. Obviously, the financial aspect of this re-engine plan is the biggest challenge. If any of you happen to have a million or more dollars to throw our way, we'd sure appreciate it. Sorry, poor attempt at humor, but it's getting tougher and tougher for us to smile around here.

Thank you again for those of you who understand our situation.

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

[Scott Rose]

Thanks for keeping us updated Gary. We all appreciate it.

[oscardeuce]

A heartfelt "Thanks"
I hope that makes you feel a little better!

[mrhenniger]

I have never had a chance to meet you Gary, but I get the feeling Fifi is in good hands. I wish you and your crew the best of luck in getting her back in the air. I am sure good luck is coming your way, as it looks like you have used up all the bad luck!

Seriously though... Thanks for working so hard at preserving and important part of aviation history.

Mike

[retroaviation]

Thanks Oscardeuce and Mike!

Gary

[groundpounder]

hello gary, i am a fairly new poster on this site but i do look forward to reading it every day!! i am a heavy duty engine mechanic by trade living in vancouver. i wholeheartedly sympathize with your crew and the situation that you fellows are in with your plane. the amount of work involved in a project of this magnitude is incomprehensible to many people. my question to you is, what has gone wrong here? i can understand one engine or maybe two engines sharing some common systems going down, but three out of four? you state that each unit in question is making metal fragments. is it the same failure in each engine or is that yet to be determined ? are these freshly overhauled units that have failed or have they each been limped along a bit knowing that this day might come? i wish you and all of your crew the best of luck through these certainly trying times. sim.

[Jack Cook]

I also personally feel as if I've let many of you down by not having FIFI available for yet another flying season

Gary,
You haven't let anyone down-period!

[B-29 Super Fort]

Gary: I hope everything works out with the re-engining of FiFi. I remember my late father who flew on the very first B-29's stationed in Chengtu, China telling me all the troubles they had with the engines, eatting valves, etc. The engines were a maintenance nightmare for the mechanics and support crews. They use to carry a spare engine in the bomb bay when they flew re-supplies over the Hump to their forward bases.

Anyway, best of luck and keep up the good work you to and the others maintaining FiFi.

[Steve S]

So sorry to hear about all of this but don't blame yourself Gary- The only thing riskier and costlier than owning a boat is an old airplane (BTW- I have an old wooden boat for sale ) From what I have heard here, through other sources, and a mutual aquaintance it sounds like you have gone above and beyond and the fact that the airplane has gotten as far along as it has is a testament to your skill and determination.

I am confident you will get it worked it out, and while the engine swap may be a short term setback I am sure in the long run it will be worth it.

Steve

[Dan K]

Keep the faith, Gary, and keep up the good work.

Just remember: This isn't the first time the old girl has had extended downtime. Do it right--do it safe.

[Jase]

Gary:

First off: Another THANK YOU SIR for all of your hard work, blood sweat and tears with what you've done so far.

Second: You haven't let anyone down, as Jack also said. Candidly, your work, and the fact that it's been done at all, and that Fifi has been down for 18 months and will be down a little while longer, is the best proof anyone could have that the CAF *IS* changing, institutionally. As you and I have talked about, CAF used to "just get to the next airshow, we can fix it on the road". That paradigm is no longer valid, if it ever was. Your work is worthwhile and was sorely needed.

As Dan said, "Keep the faith", brother, and believe that you'll persevere, even though this obstacle seems huge.

Everyone else: You all owe it to yourselves to make a trip to MAF if you can, and see in person just what Gary & crew have accomplished on Fifi. I am in awe of his competence and capabilities. He truly is the right man for the job. I hope EVERY warbird fan appreciates what a treasure the CAF and Fifi have in Gary Austin, not to mention all the other wrenchs who keep the smaller stuff up and flying for the pleasure of the crowds.

[retroaviation]

hello gary, i am a fairly new poster on this site but i do look forward to reading it every day!! i am a heavy duty engine mechanic by trade living in vancouver. i wholeheartedly sympathize with your crew and the situation that you fellows are in with your plane. the amount of work involved in a project of this magnitude is incomprehensible to many people. my question to you is, what has gone wrong here? i can understand one engine or maybe two engines sharing some common systems going down, but three out of four? you state that each unit in question is making metal fragments. is it the same failure in each engine or is that yet to be determined ? are these freshly overhauled units that have failed or have they each been limped along a bit knowing that this day might come? i wish you and all of your crew the best of luck through these certainly trying times. sim.

First of all, thank you to everyone for the kind words and support. We sincerely appreciate it. Second, to answer some of the questions above, I have asked the same thing...What has gone wrong here? I think about that every waking moment and most sleeping moments.

The #3 engine metal is definitely a nosecase coming apart. I have a complete tooth from one of the gears that has started eating itself. These -57 nosecases are notoriously junk. We were just somewhat fortunate to catch this one before it trashed the whole engine. I still think I can get #3 running again.

The #2 engine is more of a mystery to us right now. I've removed the nosecase off of it for various reasons, but am afraid that the metal that has gone through the engine may have done further damage. Too soon for me to know for sure right now.

The #1 engine metal is mostly brass. However, some aluminum and small amounts of steel are present. It is our initial thought that we have some valve guides somewhere coming apart. The cylinders on these -57s are also notoriously junk. This engine had just been installed on the airplane, as it had had multiple cylinders replaced and other warranty work completed. Needless to say, after paying roughly $145,000.00 for this engine to be overhauled a few years back and $175,000.00 for the overhaul on another engine from the same engine shop just last year, we are not very satisfied with how things are going right now.

I hope this helps answer some of your questions, and if you have any more, please feel free to shoot 'em to me.

Gary Austin

[Robbie Stuart]

Gary, I too appreciate your updates on the Queen Of The Fleet. I guess your right, its time to stop & make the decision to spend a lot of time & money, & get set up with better engines or keep putting on bandaids. Bandaids ain't the way to go. I wish I were a wealthy individual, I would get out the checkbook in a heartbeat. Im afraid all I can offer is moral support, & good wishes. Your efforts are appreciated by the rest of us Col's. Hang in there & keep the faith brother.
Best Regards
Robbie