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:
Political correctness strikes again. The original name was not Commerative Air Force but Confederate Air Force.
Well, isn't this just good news.
Jim
I still call 'em Confederate Air Force. That some fool is offended by it does not mean it is offensive.
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.
Goosebumps here. I love WWII aircraft, anyway, and this one is special.
There should have been two, but Darryl Greenamyer had to take shortcuts with the Kee Bird.
Good job, Darryl...NOT!
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
They are, and always will be the CONFEDERATE Air Force... and this is SWEET!
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