B-29 FIFI And Country Singer Aaron Tippin Headline The Event

Folks attending the Colorado Sport Aviation (CSA) will be the first to have a chance to see the CAF's B-29 FIFI ... and hear platinum-selling country music star Aaron Tippin ... together at the Colorado Sport International Air Show August 28th and 29th. The CSA announced Tuesday that its summer air show and fly-in is the chosen launch site of the Red, White and Loud Tour, featuring Tippin and the CAF's Superfortress. The patriotic duo will appear in Denver to celebrate the rare aircraft's official return to flight and kick-off their joint tour for 2010-2011. In addition, aviation enthusiasts in the Mile High City will be the first-ever allowed to purchase rides aboard FIFI - the only flying B-29 in the world. The Colorado Sport International Air Show takes place at Rocky Mountain Metropolitan Airport in Denver.

Tippin officially announced the CAF's Red, White and Loud Tour at EAA AirVenture 2010 in Oshkosh, WI. He told the crowd gathered that Denver fans will be the first to celebrate America's freedom through song and the roaring radial engines of the B-29 FIFI and the very first to experience rides aboard one of the world's most famous warbirds. Tippin will arrive in Denver aboard the B-29 FIFI and perform live from the main stage on the airport grounds at 1600, August 28, followed by CSA's signature Twilight Air Show and a fireworks finale.

Aaron Tippin At Oshkosh

"Denver is honored to host country music star Aaron Tippin and the return of the CAF B-29 FIFI to the skies," said Jim Cimiluca, CSA president. "We're planning a truly special celebration for both the aviation community and general public to be a part of this historic event." The B-29's long-awaited return to flight comes after an extensive four-year re-engine project completed by volunteer-members. The CAF grounded the aircraft in 2006, due to recurring engine trouble and refitted the B-29 with new, custom-built engines.

This special occasion marks the second time the CAF has restored the B-29 to airworthy condition. The CAF added B-29 SN44-62070 to its fleet in 1971, after investigating a pilot sighting of possible B-29s in the California desert near China Lake. The aircraft had been parked at a Navy weapons center for 17 years, used for a gunnery target, and also abused by heat, sand and vandals. The complete restoration to CAF standards of airworthiness took more than three years of fund-raising and hard work. Late in 1974, the CAF's B-29 was christened FIFI and joined the other World War II fighters and bombers kept flying to preserve the memories and teach lessons of mankind's greatest war.

"The Commemorative Air Force is unique, we aren't like other museums," said CAF President Stephan Brown. "We start our engines, we fly our airplanes and we get loud, taking history to the public, not waiting for them to come to us. The Red, White and Loud Tour is an exciting opportunity for the CAF to continue doing what we do best, educating and reminding Americans of the cost of our freedom."

For the first time in history the public will have an opportunity to purchase a ride in the Boeing B-29 Superfortress, but flight availability is limited. The aircraft will also be available for guided ground tours.

FMI: www.cafb29b24.org