Wednesday, February 23, 2011

The only airworthy B-29 Superfortress returns to flight


The Commemorative Air Force has been restoring its B-29 Superfortress - the only flying example of this iconic World War II bomber - over the past few years. It's now back in the air, and will once again delight audiences at air shows around the USA.

Here's a video of its first test flight after restoration. I highly recommend watching it in full-screen mode.







Fascinating - and very evocative!

Peter

8 comments:

  1. Political correctness strikes again. The original name was not Commerative Air Force but Confederate Air Force.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Well, isn't this just good news.

    Jim

    ReplyDelete
  3. I still call 'em Confederate Air Force. That some fool is offended by it does not mean it is offensive.

    ReplyDelete
  4. About 1983 I was bicycling through the Missouri countryside. As I crested a rise, a huge silver 4-engine aircraft roared over me and descended into the valley ahead.

    "HOLY S**T, that was a B-29!!" I said to myself, and followed it into the valley in time to see her land, with man-high letters on the nose: FIFI. Good to see her back.

    ReplyDelete
  5. Goosebumps here. I love WWII aircraft, anyway, and this one is special.

    ReplyDelete
  6. There should have been two, but Darryl Greenamyer had to take shortcuts with the Kee Bird.

    Good job, Darryl...NOT!

    ReplyDelete
  7. In 1979, I was driving back from town, and sticking up over the hangars at Lubbock Municipal Airport was that tail. I was hanging on the fence just drinking her in, when a ratty old VW pulled up.

    The old mechanic opened up the gate, handed me a couple parts and said come on in.

    I was stunned at how big she was. He swore out loud about how much oil was leaking from the #1 engine. He asked me to pass the parts up to him thru the hatch, and "come on up." WOW!!!!!!

    I sat in the left hand seat, saw the Norden bomb sight donated by Col. Tennessee Ernie Ford, saw the little padded hole to get in the back. I couldn't believe how big it was in there.

    That was the chance of a lifetime!!! I don't even know his name, but he had a lifelong impact on me. Happy to see her back where she belongs.

    STxRynn

    ReplyDelete
  8. They are, and always will be the CONFEDERATE Air Force... and this is SWEET!

    ReplyDelete

ALL COMMENTS ARE MODERATED. THEY WILL APPEAR AFTER OWNER APPROVAL, WHICH MAY BE DELAYED.