WORLD’S ONLY FLYING B-29 SUPERFORTRESS, FIFI, Returns to EASTERN U.S. accompanied by a B-24 and P-51

Once-In-A-Lifetime flight opportunities available.

(Addison, Tex., May 5, 2012)  The Commemorative Air Force’s famous Boeing B-29 Superfortress bomber, FIFI  --  the only remaining flying example of the aircraft in the world  ---  will return to the eastern U.S. for a four week tour.  

The B-29 will be joined by an equally rare B-24 Liberator, Diamond Lil, and an actual combat veteran P-51 Mustang of the Cavanaugh Flight Museum, The Brat III. The tour kicks off in mid-May and runs through mid-June. 

All three aircraft are fully restored to their historic wartime configuration. The events are open to the public and will allow attendees to get up close to these famous World War II aircraft. When the aircraft are not in motion, cockpit tours of the bombers will be available. There will be opportunities for attendees to purchase a ride in one or all three aircraft at all of the stops except Andrews AFB and Hamilton, Ontario. Ride reservations are recommended. Visit www.RideB29.com for more information about the tour schedule and to make ride reservations.

The stops include:
·        May 18 – 20         Lexington, Ky. at the Aviation Museum of Kentucky (B-29 and P-51 only)
·        May 18 – 20         Andrews AFB Open House and Airshow, Washington, D.C. (B-24 only)
·        May 22 – 23         Baltimore, Md. at Martin State Airport
·        May 25 – 30         Charlotte, N.C. at the Carolinas Aviation Museum
·        June 1 – 3             Reading, Pa. at the Mid Atlantic Air Museum’s “World War II Days” Airshow
·        June 8 – 10          Windsor Locks, Conn. at the New England Air Museum
·        June 11 – 13          Buffalo, N.Y. Buffalo Niagara International Airport
·        June 14 – 17         Hamilton, Ontario, Canada at the Canadian Warplane Heritage Airshow
·        June 30                Dallas, Tex. at the Cavanaugh Flight Museum

The mission of the Commemorative Air Force is to honor the men and women who built, maintained and flew in these airplanes during World War II. The organization believes that mission is best accomplished by maintaining the airplanes in flying condition; taking the airplanes to the people allowing them to experience the sight and sound of the aircraft in flight.

About the CAF’s B-29 Superfortress, FIFI:
The Boeing B-29 “Superfortress,” which was first flown in 1942 and began active service in 1944, is perhaps best known as the aircraft from which the first atomic bomb was dropped. 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 also used in the Korean War in the early 1950s and was a staple of the U.S. Air Force until the late 1950s.

FIFI was acquired by the CAF in the early 1970s when a group of CAF members found her at the U.S. Navy Proving Ground at China Lake, California where she was being used as a missile target. The airplane was rescued and restored and flew for over thirty years until 2006 when the chief pilot made the decision to ground her pending a complete power plant re-fit. What followed was an extensive four year restoration that included replacing all four engines with new custom built hybrid engines. FIFI returned to the sky in 2010 and since that time has traveled coast to coast attracting large crowds at every tour stop. Learn more about FIFI and her tour schedule at www.CAFB29B24.org. 

About the CAF’s B-24A Liberator:
This aircraft, built in May 1941, is the 25th B-24 produced by Consolidated Aircraft at their San Diego facility. On a training flight from Eagles Nest Airport, N.M., prior to its delivery to England, AM-927 experienced a landing accident. The damage was major enough that the aircraft had to be returned to San Diego for repairs.  As a result of the accident, she was converted to a personnel and cargo carrier.  During the war this B-24 flew scheduled runs between San Diego, Fort Worth, New York, and Washington D.C.  She also carried various American and foreign dignitaries within the U.S. In 1969 the aircraft was purchased by the CAF and, in 1971, she was painted in the colors and markings of the 98th Bomb Group, Pyramiders of the 9th Air Force in North Africa, and was named Diamond Lil.

About the Commemorative Air Force:
Collecting, restoring and flying vintage historical aircraft for more than half a century, the Commemorative Air Force 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.

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 and 1953 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 again painted in the markings of Lt. Hjalmar Johnsen.

About the Cavanaugh Flight Museum
The Cavanaugh Flight Museum opened in October 1993, the brainchild of its founder, entrepreneur Jim Cavanaugh. Cavanaugh placed his growing collection of historic aircraft in the new museum. The Cavanaugh Flight Museum is 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