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
at

8 comments:

  1. Bill N.February 24, 2011 at 12:05 AM

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

    ReplyDelete
  2. AnonymousFebruary 24, 2011 at 2:38 AM

    Well, isn't this just good news.

    Jim

    ReplyDelete
  3. Wayne ConradFebruary 24, 2011 at 8:44 AM

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

    ReplyDelete
  4. KhornetFebruary 24, 2011 at 10:49 AM

    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. Rev. PaulFebruary 24, 2011 at 11:24 AM

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

    ReplyDelete
  6. Murphy's LawFebruary 24, 2011 at 12:46 PM

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

    Good job, Darryl...NOT!

    ReplyDelete
  7. STxRynnFebruary 24, 2011 at 6:06 PM

    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. Old NFOFebruary 24, 2011 at 6:53 PM

    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.