As EAA AirVenture Gets Closer, More Neat Things Are Being Announced

EAA and the Commemorative Air Force jointly announced that FIFI, the Boeing B-29 Superfortress, will return to EAA AirVenture this year.

FIFI is the main star of the CAF AirPower History Tour which regularly tours the U.S. bringing the sights, smells, and sounds of WWII aviation to Americans of all ages. FIFI’s dedicated crews volunteer thousands of hours to honor the sacrifice of the men and women of WWII and Korea.

“We are very pleased that FIFI will once again be on display at Boeing Centennial Plaza at EAA AirVenture Oshkosh,” said Jack Pelton, president of EAA.

“The CAF and FIFI have a deep appreciation to EAA for making it possible for the plane to return,” said CAF President Stephan Brown. “This is the one place in the world where so many can view up close and personal the iconic aircraft of WWII, as well as thousands of show planes. We are honored to be a part of it.”

The airplane will arrive on Monday, July 25. As an added feature, FIFI will be available for a limited number of rides. Visit Air Power's tour website for more information on the link provided below. The rides will be delivered from the Appleton Airport on Tuesday through Thursday. The B-29 will be accompanied at Appleton by the P-51 Mustang Gunfighter and two World War II trainers – a PT-13 Stearman and T-6 Texan.

FIFI is celebrating her 41st year of operation as the World’s only flying B-29 Superfortress. The CAF hopes that FIFI will soon be joined in the air by Doc, another B-29 progressing toward flight. We at ANN are watching Doc’s progress closely, and will keep you posted.

The Boeing B-29 Superfortress, first flown in 1942, began active service in 1944 and is best known as the aircraft whose missions over Japan helped bring about the end of World War II. It was designed as a replacement for the older B-17s and B-24s, with longer range and greater bomb loads. The B-29 was the first pressurized American bomber and represented state of the art technology at the time. The B-29 was also used in the Korean War in the early 1950s and was a staple of the U.S. Air Force until the late 1950s.

And by the way, this year is Boeing’s centennial celebration, and there’ll be lots going on regarding this celebration.

(Image from file)

FMI: www.eaa.org  www.airpowersquadron.org/