The highlight of the tour will be the appearance of “FIFI” and Diamond Lil at the Mid-Atlantic Air Museum’s WWII Days Airshow and the Canadian Warplane Heritage Museum’s 2012 Hamilton Airshow. This tour demonstrates that the “Commemorative Air Force is unique, we aren’t like other museums,” said CAF President/CEO 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. “FIFI” and Diamond Lil attending these events is an opportunity for the CAF to continue doing what we do best, educating and reminding Americans of the cost of our freedom.”
“FIFI” and Diamond Lil will be available for guided tours (for a donation) and the public is invited to purchase Living History Flight Experiences aboard both the B-29 Superfortress and the B-24 Liberator. Rides can be booked in advance by visiting the squadron website (www.cafb29b24.org). Living History Flight Experiences range in price from $395 to $1495 dependant aircraft and seat location. It is encouraged to purchase Living History Flight Experiences early, as these seats fill up fast. Seat availability can be checked by visiting the squadron website (www.cafb29b24.org).
May 2012
18-20 Lexington, KY (B-29 only)
18-20 Andrews AFB (B-24 only)
22-23 Baltimore, MD
14-27 Morristown, NJ
June 2012
1-3 Reading, PA (Mid-Atlantic Air Museum’s WWII Days)
8-10 Windsor, Locks, CT (New England Air Museum)
11-13 Buffalo, NY
14-17 Hamilton, Ontario Canada (Canadian Warplane Heritage Museum)
*no living history flight experiences available at this stop
About the CAF’s B-29 Superfortress:
The Boeing B-29 Superfortress is America’s first very heavy bomber entering World War II in 1944 and is best known for missions in August 1945 that led to the end of World War II. The B-29 would continue on to serve the U.S. Air Force through the Korean Conflict and as a vital part of Strategic Air Command until replaced by jet bombers. When the B-29 were retired from service in the 1960s, many were destroyed. The CAF begin searching for a B-29 in the 1960s and in 1971, one was located at the China Lake Navy Proving Grounds. After many months of negotiations the CAF was given permission to recover the airframe and fly it to their base in Harlingen, Texas. There it underwent extensive restoration emerging late in 1974, and christened FIFI joining other World War II fighters and bombers preserving the memories and teaching lessons of mankind's greatest war.
About the CAF’s B-24 Liberator Diamond Lil:
Diamond Lil, built in 1941, the 25th B-24 produced by Consolidated, is the oldest remaining B-24. Out of the over 18,000 produced, only two still fly today. The CAF purchased the B-24A in 1967, and since that time, she has performed majestically before crowds of thousands of people. The CAF purchased the B-24A in 1967, and since that time, she has performed majestically before crowds of thousands of people. Prior to 2007 she was configured as “Diamond Lil” a transport aircraft, with markings of the 98th Bomb Group. In 2006, a major conversion of AM-927 with the intent of returning her back to the original bomber configuration and renamed Ol’ 927. In the winter of 2011-2012 the Squadron decided to return the name Diamond Lil to the aircraft with a newly updated nose art. Diamond Lil is maintained and operated by the volunteers of the Commemorative Air Force’s B-29/B-24 Squadron based at the Cavanaugh Flight Museum in Addison, Texas.
About the Commemorative Air Force:
Collecting, restoring and flying vintage historical aircraft for more than half a century, the Commemorative Air Force (CAF) ranks as one of the largest private air forces in the world. The CAF is dedicated to Honoring American Military Aviation through flight, exhibition and remembrance. A non-profit educational association, the CAF has more than 8,000 members and a fleet of 156 airplanes distributed throughout the country to 74 units located in 27 states for care and operation. For more information, visit www.commemorativeairforce.org or call (432) 563-1000.
About the Cavanaugh Flight Museum P-51D Mustang The Brat III
The museum's P-51D was manufactured in 1944 and shipped to England. It was assigned to the 9th Air Force, 370th Fighter Group, 401st Fighter Squadron, and flown by Lt. Hjalmar Johnsen. In June 1947 it was sold to the Swedish Air Force and served as Flygyapnet (FV) Serial No. 26115 based at F-4, Ostersund. Between 1952-53 it was sold to the Dominican Republic and served as Fuerza Aerea Dominica Serial No. 1918 until 1984 when it was retired from active service. Following the restoration that was completed in 2011, the plane was repainted in its original colors and markings of Lt. Hjalmar Johnsen.
About the Cavanaugh Flight Museum
The Cavanaugh Flight Museum opened in October 1993. The Cavanaugh Flight Museum is a 501(c)3 “non-profit” organization devoted to promoting aviation studies and to perpetuating America's aviation heritage; the museum fulfills its mission by restoring, operating, maintaining and displaying historically-significant, vintage aircraft, and by collecting materials related to the history of aviation. For more information, visit www.cavanaughflightmuseum.com
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