Great news for FIFI

[airnutz]

Yes, wonderful news indeed! Thanks again for the updates Gary!

[Pat Carry]

one word, koooooooooooool!

[PhantomAce08]

Gary--

Great news, and a big tip of the hat to Mr Jamieson from another Canuck keen to see Fifi in her element again. Have seen her thrice...in '81 and '93 at Mt.Hope, then in '04 at Akron (with one duff engine, so she didn't fly).

I only got to see her at Akron when she flew in about a week ahead of time. She came in really low and buzzed the runway--it was beautiful. Landing had to have been interesting the way the runway is so low. Then early on Monday after the air show Fifi left for the next airshow, but I was still in bed tired from working it the whole weekend. I lived about a mile or two from the airport and right in the path of the runway and I sure heard her take off that morning... I was out of bed and running across my front yard just to catch a glimpse of her in the morning sun--it was amazing!








Sorry the pictures are a bit grainy... it was my old camera

[B-29 Super Fort]

With this infusion of funds how soon before FiFi returns the air?

I don't have a "magic date" set yet. We were not expecting this large amount of funding at one time, so please give me some time to work things out and get the ball rolling on the project, and I'll be sure to update everyone as soon as we have a realistic completion date established.

Thanks again for all of the kind words.

Gary

Thanks Gary. All the best with your work on this re-engine project.

[retroaviation]

Here's the "official" press release..............


NEWS RELEASE
COMMEMORATIVE AIR FORCE HEADQUARTERS CONTACT: Kay Crites
MIDLAND INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT Director of Public Relations
P.O. BOX 62000 Midland, Texas 79711-2000
(432) 563-1000, ext. 2231 FAX (432) 563-8046
http: //www.commemorativeairforce.org
publicrelations@cafhq.org

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
NR #01-1012

INVENTOR/INDUSTRIALIST PLEDGES $2 MILLION TO CAF'S B-29
MIDLAND, TEXAS (Oct. 12, 2006) Texas inventor and industrialist Joe Jamieson has pledged $2 million to help return the Commemorative Air Force's B-29 Fifi, the world's only flyable B-29 to flight. In July, the CAF announced that the airplane would not fly until $3 million was raised to custom fit the plane with new engines that are a more reliable version of the engine currently on the plane.
In August, Jamieson saw an article printed in the AVWebFlash, an internet, aviation-related newsletter. He then contacted the CAF, and the announcement of his pledge was made at the general membership meeting, held Friday, Oct. 6, 2006, prior to the FINA-CAF AIRSHO 2006.

Jamieson has a Bachelor of Science degree in aeronautics from Parks College of Aeronautical Technology of Saint Louis University, is an airframe and power plant mechanic, a former Air Force pilot, an air transport pilot and an inventor and industrialist who focuses his efforts on enhancing the safety of transportation systems. From designing and manufacturing autopilot control systems for jet- powered helicopters to designing and manufacturing The Automated Safety Hitch for trailers, his inventions are aimed at keeping people safer when operating aircraft, vehicles and equipment.

"New engines for the B-29 make its operation safer, so it is therefore reasonable for Mr. Jamieson to pledge some money to help make it happen," said Raeleen Behr, public relations for Jamieson's company, American Automation Technologies, Inc.

The B-29 was originally fitted with the Wright R-3350-57AM engine, which has had a less-than-desirable reputation since its inception. True to this reputation, Fifi has experienced numerous problems with her engines in the 30-plus years she has been flying with the CAF. The most recent problems surfaced in June after several days of crew training flights. After the flights, a check of the engine oil revealed metal shavings, a sign of damage. Following this discovery, the B-29/B-24 Squadron met with CAF personnel and outside experts in the field of aircraft restoration. The decision was made to not fly the plane again until it could be refitted with new engines. The plan is to combine R-3350-95W and R-3350-26WD engines to custom build engines for the B-29.

The pledge by Jamieson still leaves $1 million to finish the campaign. Mr. Jamieson's pledge is a tremendous jump-start for our campaign to make Fifi airworthy again," said CAF Vice President of Development Rusty McInturff. "However, we still have a long way to go, and every donation is important, regardless of the amount."

[Robbie Stuart]

Thanks again Gary for keeping us informed of this very good news.
Robbie

[Aircraft Mech Paul]

Gary,

You certainly have found a VERY good gentleman to act as a benefactor for your project, FiFi. I've been lucky enough to see her on more than one occassion. And FiFi never ceases to amaze me. I can only think of one more amazing sight for the eyes and that would be seeing Doc and FiFi flying together at some point.

BEST of Luck with the re-engining project Sir from one former wrench turning Aircraft Mechanic to another. I know that when it is all said and done, we'll get to see her for many more years to come.

Respectfully,

Paul

[B29Bob]

Mike -
I saw the Duxford plane at the Livermore (CA) air show, I believe in 1978, possibly '79. I remember the crew was talking of the movement of the plane to the UK. Considering the size of the Livermore strip, they must have flown it in very light.
I thought I had some pictures taken of it at the Oakland Airport, but when I checked they were of another plane (Fertile Myrtle?) taken in 1981 or '82

Bob Mann

[APG85]

Mike -

I thought I had some pictures taken of it at the Oakland Airport, but when I checked they were of another plane (Fertile Myrtle?) taken in 1981 or '82

Bob Mann

Can you post the Fertile Myrtle pic's? Thanks.

[B29Bob]

I dug into the magic shoebox and found three photos of Fertile Myrtyle taken at the Oakland Airport in September, 1984. Pictures were taken through a chain link fence and the wire caused a blur across two of them The one in the link below is clear.
Under magnification "NACA" is visible in the yellow tail band, but no other ID's are visible. The black rectangular object on the ground behind the main gear I'm almost certain is the "tub" from number four engine ( The tub is the section of air intake below the engine and must be removed to get at the rear spark plugs on cylinders 9, 10 and 11, as well as other fun things like changing one of those cylinders )

http://i104.photobucket.com/albums/m181 ... tMyrt1.jpg

Bob Mann

[APG85]

Thanks for posting the picture. Interesting how that palne still had it's gun turrets - or were they re-installed after it's use as a drop bird?

[B29Bob]

I have another picture, b/w, circa unknown, of the plane, looking noseward with the left side in view. An insignia and the drop mission symbol block are visible. Turrets are installed BUT it appears that there are only two guns in the upper turret and the silhouette seems a little off. It is possible that the the two outer guns of the four gun upper forward turret are below the curve of the fuselage.
I'm going to do a internet search for pictures of Myrtle during her drop days and see if she carried turrets then

Bob

[coldaffyduck]

Here are 2 of my pics of "Fifi":

Elkhart, IN in the late '80s

South Bend, IN 1991 right after my ride in "Lil"

[APG85]

Cool - C-130!

[Jerry O'Neill]

Criag;
Nice pics!
Isn't that Dick Dieter's T-28 on the right in the second photo?
Jerry