Part Two of a presentation about "FIFI", the World's Only Flying B-29 Superfortress. Part Two - "FIFI's History" Presenters: Keville Miller and Konley Kelley (Oct 2011)
2. The Quest
In 1966, the then fledgling Commemorative Air Force, in their
quest to gather an example of all the remaining World War
Two bombers, attempted to track down a B-29. At this time,
except for two noted museum aircraft, the B-29 was
considered almost an extinct aircraft.
Enter Roger Baker
Enter Vic Agather
“China Lake” Navy releases B-29 s/n 44-62070 to the CAF
This B-29 is assembled from parts from nine other B-29’s
She flies out of China Lake on August 3, 1972.
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5. Nearly 4,000 B-29’s were built.
Only one still flies.
Vic Agather christens the new B-29 “FIFI,”
his nickname for his wife. In recognition
of Vic’s leadership to save “FIFI” an “A”
is painted on the tail of the aircraft.
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7. “FIFI” is the Queen of the Fleet
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Milestones
1970’s, 80’s, 90’s
Military heroes fly “FIFI”
Hundreds of air shows
“FIFI” in the movies
Hundreds of cities
Thousands of miles
CAF moves from
Harlingen to Midland
Vice-President
Dick Cheney
Roswell (1994)
(1983)
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10. 2004 Engine Failure – “FIFI” is down
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What happened
Negotiations to acquire new engines
New engine design
CAF volunteers led by Crew Chief, Dave Miller, repair “FIFI”
and hang new engines
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12. Jim Cavanaugh
Cavanaugh Flight Museum
Jim Cavanaugh
has pledged
$1.2 million
sponsorship for
the re-engine
project of FIFI,
the CAF’s world
famous B-29
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62. How You Can Support “FIFI”
and the Mission of our Squadron
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Financial
Volunteerism
Become a Colonel
Become a member of
of the CAF
● Check the website
for schedules
and updates on
our bombers
www.cafb29b24.org
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63. Book a flight on “FIFI”
● Ride experiences available
- up to 10 seats
- actual flight time 30 minutes
- riders get a DVD of their
flight experience
- riders get a souvenir picture of “FIFI” signed by the
flight crew
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64. Come see us at the Cavanaugh Flight Museum in
Addison during winter maintenance.
Happy Holidays from
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