Confirmed World's Only Flying B-29 Superfortress Birmingham

CAF AirPower History Tour also features P-51 Mustang and other historic military aircraft.
BIRMINGHAM AL-The Commemorative Air Force's (CAF) famous Boeing B-29 Superfortress bomber, FIFI --the only remaining flying example of the aircraft in the world -will visit Birmingham May 16 through 19, hosted by the Birmingham Aero Club. The B-29 will fly into Birmingham on Thursday, May 16 accompanied by a P-51 Mustang, Red Nose. The tour stop is part of the CAF AirPower HistoryTour featuring an ever-changing combination of CAF historic warbirds at each of its stops.

The Boeing B-29 Superfortress was first flown in 1942 and began active service in 1944. It is perhaps 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 also used in the Korean War in the early 1950s and was a staple of the U.S. Air Force until the late 1950s.


In addition to the P-51 Mustang, the B-29 will also be accompanied by a C-45 Expeditor, Bucket of Bolts; and a T-6 Texan. The airplanes will be on the ramp atKaiser Aircraft Industries, 1424 Continental Street, at the Birmingham Airport, Thursday through Sunday.
Events are open to the public and will allow attendees to get up close to these famous military aircraft. Gates are open from 2:00 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. on Thursday and 9:00 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. thereafter. Admission, $10 for adults and $20 for families with children under 18, includes cockpit tours of the B-29 when the aircraft is not in motion. There are opportunities for attendees to purchase a ride in all of the visiting airplanes. Visit the tour website at www.AirPowerTour.org or call (432) 413-4100 for more information about the tour schedule and to make ride reservations. The cost for airplane rides in these four airplanes ranges from $65 to $1595. There is a discount iyou purchase your seats on line.

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. FMI: FiFi

 About the CAF's B-29 Superfortress, FIFI: 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.AirPowerTour.org. and the CAF at www.commemorativeairforce.org