Wanna Ride? B-29 Bomber Flies into Little Rock for September Air Show
By: KARK 4 News
Updated: September 4, 2012
Airplane lovers will have their eyes on the skies over Little Rock later this month.
FIFI, the only flying Boeing B-29 Superfortress bomber in the world, comes to Little Rock later this month and anyone can catch a ride while its in town.
The Commemorative Air Force (CAF) plane will be available for paid rides during Central Flying Service's 2012 Showcase of Aircraft September 22-23 (11:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., both days).
The event features an array of new and vintage aircraft, including a true World War II veteran P-51 Mustang owned by the Cavanaugh Museum, The Brat III. Also accompanying the B-29 will be a C-45 Expeditor.
Visitors will be able to buy rides on all of these airplanes throughout the stay and B-29 cockpit tours will be available when the airplane is not flying. Click the attached video to see what it's like to ride the plane.
Click here for more information about ride tickets, or call (432) 413-4100
The Civil Air Patrol (CAP) is also participating in the show by having one or two of its aircraft on static display and having some of its cadets assisting with parking and perimeter security. Central's Flight Training department will be on hand with its Diamond DA40 with Garmin G1000 cockpit and a camo Caravan from Cessna will also be on display.
The event will be held at Central Flying Service's North Terminal, located on the west side of Adams Field at the end of Crisp Drive.
About the CAF's B-29 Superfortress, FIFI:
The Boeing B-29 Superfortress, first flown in 1942, began active service in 1944. It is perhaps best known as the aircraft from which the first atomic bombs were dropped. It was designed as a replacement for the older B-17s and B-24s, with longer range and greater bomb load capacity. 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.
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 30 years until 2006 when the chief pilot made the decision to ground her pending a complete power plant refit. 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.
Click here to learn more about FIFI and her tour schedule.
About the Commemorative Air Force:
Collecting, restoring and flying vintage historical aircraft for more than half a century, the Commemorative Air Force ranks as one of the largest private air forces in the world. The CAF is dedicated to Honoring American Military Aviation through flight, exhibition and remembrance. A nonprofit educational association, the CAF has more than 9,000 members and a fleet of 156 airplanes distributed throughout the country to 72 units located in 27 states for care and operation.
Click here for more information.
FIFI, the only flying Boeing B-29 Superfortress bomber in the world, comes to Little Rock later this month and anyone can catch a ride while its in town.
The Commemorative Air Force (CAF) plane will be available for paid rides during Central Flying Service's 2012 Showcase of Aircraft September 22-23 (11:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., both days).
The event features an array of new and vintage aircraft, including a true World War II veteran P-51 Mustang owned by the Cavanaugh Museum, The Brat III. Also accompanying the B-29 will be a C-45 Expeditor.
Visitors will be able to buy rides on all of these airplanes throughout the stay and B-29 cockpit tours will be available when the airplane is not flying. Click the attached video to see what it's like to ride the plane.
Click here for more information about ride tickets, or call (432) 413-4100
The Civil Air Patrol (CAP) is also participating in the show by having one or two of its aircraft on static display and having some of its cadets assisting with parking and perimeter security. Central's Flight Training department will be on hand with its Diamond DA40 with Garmin G1000 cockpit and a camo Caravan from Cessna will also be on display.
The event will be held at Central Flying Service's North Terminal, located on the west side of Adams Field at the end of Crisp Drive.
About the CAF's B-29 Superfortress, FIFI:
The Boeing B-29 Superfortress, first flown in 1942, began active service in 1944. It is perhaps best known as the aircraft from which the first atomic bombs were dropped. It was designed as a replacement for the older B-17s and B-24s, with longer range and greater bomb load capacity. 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.
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 30 years until 2006 when the chief pilot made the decision to ground her pending a complete power plant refit. 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.
Click here to learn more about FIFI and her tour schedule.
About the Commemorative Air Force:
Collecting, restoring and flying vintage historical aircraft for more than half a century, the Commemorative Air Force ranks as one of the largest private air forces in the world. The CAF is dedicated to Honoring American Military Aviation through flight, exhibition and remembrance. A nonprofit educational association, the CAF has more than 9,000 members and a fleet of 156 airplanes distributed throughout the country to 72 units located in 27 states for care and operation.
Click here for more information.
