Warbird Information Exchange

Guys
can anyone tell me if Fifi and fertle myrtle ever flew together?

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Cheers,
Peter

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There are surely better folks with waaay more knowledge than me regarding this issue, but I'm pretty sure that FIFI and Fertile Myrtle never flew together.

The way I recall Kermit telling me his one flight in FM went (sorry if the details are off a little Kermit), was that about 45 minutes into his flight, the top, rear turret cover, which was hinged in the rear for some reason, came open. This caused substantial buffetting over the tail and they started to decend to land. They then had a prop run away on them, which caused more drama. He said they decided on the spot that FM would be taken apart and not flown until restored.

Again, that's paraphrased and the details may not be completely accurate. I know FIFI wasn't with it on that flight and seriously doubt if she flew with FM before Kermit owned it.

Hope that helps,
Gary

I wonder if FM will ever be restored...

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"Everyone wants to live here (New Jersey), evidenced by the fact that it has the highest population per capita in the U.S..."

Weren't they both flown in the 1980 TV movie "Enola Gay"?

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All right, Mister Dorfmann, start pullin'!
Pilot: "Flap switch works hard in down position."
Mechanic: "Flap switch checked OK. Pilot needs more P.T." - Flight report, TB-17G 42-102875 (Hobbs AAF)

...and The Right Stuff?

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"Everyone wants to live here (New Jersey), evidenced by the fact that it has the highest population per capita in the U.S..."

Well FIFI was painted up as Fertile Mertyle for the Right Stuff, but I simply don't knew the rest. It'll be interesting to see what the others post here about this.

Gary

Gary,

Just out of curiousity, do you folks at the CAF working with FiFi know if Mr. Weeks has any plans in the foreseeable future to get Fertile Myrtle restored and flying again. I was down at Fantasy of Flight and unfortunately, none of the restoration guys or Mr. Weeks was present to answer that question. I had the rare honor of meeting Mr. Weeks at Oshkosh some years ago when he brought his DeHaviland Mosquito. Very nice gentleman...down to Earthr and willing to talk with anyone. But, and I say this will all respects towards Mr. Weeks, he likes to stay in the "role" of the common man and is not flashy. That is why I respect him so greatly, he is approachable and most friendly to talk to.

Paul

You are right about Mr. Weeks being a great fella. He has worked with us a couple of times and just loves these old airplanes.

Unfortunately, I personally don't feel that Fertile Mertyle will ever fly again......at least with her original wings & center section. I have never seen corrosion hit a set of wings so badly on an airplane that didn't sit at the bottom of the ocean.

The good news, however, is that the other two B-29's that he has could, with enough money, be restored. Sure, it would be a daunting task, but they are in relatively good shape. Heck, as far as corrosion goes, the two fuselages that he has out in the desert (I haven't seen FM's fuselage), are probably in better condition than what I started with on FIFI a couple of years ago.

Now, if someone were to put the center section and wings off of one of the other projects on FM's fuselage, there may be a possibility of her flying again. It's all about cubic dollars.

I hope this helps.
Gary

Whats the deal with all that corrosion?

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"Everyone wants to live here (New Jersey), evidenced by the fact that it has the highest population per capita in the U.S..."

Nothing to really do with the original question of this post but here is a picture of Gen. Paul Tibbets seated in cockpit of the Fertile Myrtle while located at the Weeks Air Musuem in Miami. Looks like a little reminiscing on Paul's part.

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http://silverplate1945.smugmug.com/AVIATION

Well, there's not a real short answer to that question. Perhaps I can start another thread about what we found regarding the corrosion on FIFI.

Gary

Would that be a large task in itself.........mating a donor center section and wings to a fuselage??????

I had thought about this when the Hawkins & powers KC-97's were up for auction. How neat it would be to take a good set of wings and put them on the B-50 fuselage at chino. I think a worthy project.
Need to win the powerball

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Long Live the N3N-3 "The Last US Military Bi-Plane" 1940-1959
Badmouthing Stearmans on WIX since 2005

B-50 "Lucky Lady II". What a shame - so much potential - and history...

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"Everyone wants to live here (New Jersey), evidenced by the fact that it has the highest population per capita in the U.S..."

General Tibbets looks lost in thoughful remembrance. Considering the mission he flew in the Enola Gay and the historical perspective. One can only imagine what thoughts could be in his mind.

Respectfully,

Paul

Well darn!! Kermit was at Reno and I waved to him yesterday on the way out. He was also in the bar with us Sat night and I could have asked him these questions then.

JH