Last flying B-29 Super Fortress

[kshapero]

The Bombs!!



Second Pilot's seat



Radio Engineer

[KoNickon]

Is there really only one left? That's too bad if so -- and maybe I saw this one over Hartford CT maybe 15 years ago, flying maybe 500 feet up. Quite a sight. Pratt & Whitney engines and Hamilton Standard propellers, both made near Hartford.

Did you go for a ride in it?

[Sarcophilus Harrisii]

Originally Posted by KoNickon

Is there really only one left? That's too bad if so -- and maybe I saw this one over Hartford CT maybe 15 years ago, flying maybe 500 feet up. Quite a sight. Pratt & Whitney engines and Hamilton Standard propellers, both made near Hartford.

Did you go for a ride in it?

Last airworthy example, bear in mind there are some static examples (Enola Gay comes immediately to mind!).

There could have been another one, but someone decided it would be OK to taxi the Kee Bird with a loose gas can rattling around and she went up in flames. Legend...

Awesome images by the way. So jealous. Would love to have a look over Fifi some day.
Regards
Brett

[Frontman]

When I was a kid, my family used to live near an Air Force base in the southwest, and in the boneyard there used to sit a nearly complete B-29. A few kids used to sneak into the boneyard and play in the old planes (the ones which were not sealed up). The B-29 was a favorite due to it's size. I have never flown a plane, except in my imagination, but I have sat in the pilots seat of a B-29, which was close enough for a 10 year old.

The air police used to patrol the boneyard a couple of times a day, and I was scared to death of their big German shepherd.

[oftheherd]

Originally Posted by Frontman

When I was a kid, my family used to live near an Air Force base in the southwest, and in the boneyard there used to sit a nearly complete B-29. A few kids used to sneak into the boneyard and play in the old planes (the ones which were not sealed up). The B-29 was a favorite due to it's size. I have never flown a plane, except in my imagination, but I have sat in the pilots seat of a B-29, which was close enough for a 10 year old.

The air police used to patrol the boneyard a couple of times a day, and I was scared to death of their big German shepherd.

The last place I worked there was an old architect who as a kid of about 17, towards the end of WWII, had worked on the gun control computers on B-29s. Can you imagine?

[Sarcophilus Harrisii]

Originally Posted by JSU

The documentary of the recovery of the Kee Bird brought me to tears the first time I saw it. Not for the aircraft but the men who gave their all to save it, and lost, some who lost all.

Don't get me wrong; I have a lot of sympathy for the family of Rick Krieg (correct spelling?) and those who laboured under such horrendous conditions; but the decision to move the aircraft with the APU being supplied from a loose can sloshing fuel through the interior of the aeroplane, which is essentially what caused the fire, was a very bad one. The book about the project is very kind to all involved; perhaps too kind to some.
Regards
Brett

[kshapero]

The rides were like $600 out of my league. BTW my dad was a navigator on 18 missions in WWII, in one these giant sardine cans.

[Calzone]

Originally Posted by kshapero

The rides were like $600 out of my league. BTW my dad was a navigator on 18 missions in WWII, in one these giant sardine cans.

Over 15 years ago I got a free ride on a B-17 as a videographer when I did TV broadcast news journalism. The plane had Memphis Belle painted by the cockpit, was used in the film "Memphis Belle" and was one of the few B-17's still airworthy. The owner was a wealthy Texan and was a member of the "Confederate Airforce."

The news story was that someone was actively campaigning to have the plane grounded because it was considered a treasure that could not be replaced and needed to be preserved for our future heritage. The owner's argument was that our heritage needed to be displayed and be demonstrated...

So I'm on the tarmac with an $80K broadcast quality Ikagami video camera that records on a one inch tape into a separate deck. I'm instructed to stay low and away from the props. The engines were billowing a bit of smoke, and it was just like one of the last scenes from "Casa Blanca." I was also warned to stay on the gang-plank that ran down the center or else I would put my foot through the plane. When I touched the side of the bomber I took notice that the outer skin of the plane was no thicker than a beer can.

My place for take-off and landing was right behind the pilot on the floor. I would learn later that the pilot was a little crazy. In the back of the plane are these open windows for a machine gun on each side. I was shooting video out one of these windows, when the pilot decided to perform a tight banked turn around the Jones Beach water tower at perhaps 200 feet. Somehow I didn't drop the $80K camera, but I also luckily didn't fall out of the plane.

Anyways flying in this plane was scary enough because its airworthiness was being questioned, but I imagine the vast amount of courage it took for men to fly into battle with so little protection.

Cal

[Bob Michaels]

Cal: you had good reason to question the airworthiness of that B-17. It was 1 of 3 that I helped strip in 1963 and convert to crop dusters for fire ant bait. We removed everything not absolutely critical to reduce airframe weight and thus increase payload. The first one we did, we unknowingly cut out some airframe structural members thinking they were merely part of the bomb bay system. Everyone held their breath the first time that one took off.

Originally Posted by Calzone

Over 15 years ago I got a free ride on a B-17 as a videographer when I did TV broadcast news journalism. The plane had Memphis Belle painted by the cockpit, was used in the film "Memphis Belle" and was one of the few B-17's still airworthy. The owner was a wealthy Texan and was a member of the "Confederate Airforce."
..........................
Anyways flying in this plane was scary enough because its airworthiness was being questioned, but I imagine the vast amount of courage it took for men to fly into battle with so little protection.

Cal

[oftheherd]

Originally Posted by Bob Michaels

Cal: you had good reason to question the airworthiness of that B-17. It was 1 of 3 that I helped strip in 1963 and convert to crop dusters for fire ant bait. We removed everything not absolutely critical to reduce airframe weight and thus increase payload. The first one we did, we unknowingly cut out some airframe structural members thinking they were merely part of the bomb bay system. Everyone held their breath the first time that one took off.

There are photos of damage to B-17s returning from bomb runs that are incredible. I have seen one where almost the entire vertical stabilizer is missing. Still flying.

[bigeye]

Originally Posted by oftheherd

There are photos of damage to B-17s returning from bomb runs that are incredible. I have seen one where almost the entire vertical stabilizer is missing. Still flying.

Only half of the horizontal stabilizer on the 29's could be missing... (This one was parked next to Dad's):

[TXForester]

Originally Posted by kshapero

The rides were like $600 out of my league.

Some rides are really high priced and planes with multiple seating for passengers often require a minimum number of passengers before they go up. However, some rides are reasonably priced.

For those in the Dallas area, check out the cost of rides at the Cavanaugh museum and the DFW Wing of the CAF (in Lancaster). Last year, I went up in the CAF R4D (at the Flights of our Fathers gathering in Terrell, TX) for $150. Sometimes you can go up at airshows/gatherings. In other cases, you can sign up for a ride at the plane's homefield, but flights are subject to weather and availability of pilots certified for each type of aircraft. I want to sign up for a flight for a gift for my dad.

[Zonan]

Where is that B-29 based- S. florida? Out here in Mesa, AZ, we have a B-24 and B-25, think they are a lot cheaper ($300+/-)

Wonderful pictures!

[celluloidprop]

Originally Posted by Zonan

Where is that B-29 based- S. florida? Out here in Mesa, AZ, we have a B-24 and B-25, think they are a lot cheaper ($300+/-)

I'm looking at that website right now - there are two or three things I have to do now, after seeing the possibility. The 20 minute flight in a biplane looks incredible.

[kshapero]

Originally Posted by Zonan

Where is that B-29 based- S. florida? Out here in Mesa, AZ, we have a B-24 and B-25, think they are a lot cheaper ($300+/-)

Wonderful pictures!

The B29 moves all about the USA. I do not know where the home base is.

[Zonan]

Or perhaps where she happened to be when the photo was taken?

Originally Posted by JSU

The flag of the Lone Star State should give a clue as to where FiFi's home base is located.

[TXForester]

Originally Posted by JSU

The flag of the Lone Star State should give a clue as to where FiFi's home base is located.

At Addison airport. If you are in the area, stop and check out the Cavanaugh museum. A lot of great aircraft there.

[farlymac]

I shot two rolls of 220, and some 35mm when it was in Columbus, OH a long time ago. Lots of close details, like your bomb bay shot, and of course, inside the cockpit. It actualy made it to town twice while I lived there, but the second time I didn't go inside, as there was a larger crowd, and I didn't want to keep someone else from the pleasure. But there were plenty of other planes to see that time, so the exterior shots were all I needed. And the Kee Bird documentary was heart rending, in all aspects. I was in total shock the first time I watched the ending. And if I had the money, $600 dollars is not too much for a ride like that.

PF

[Livesteamer]

I got to see Fifi up close in Greensboro NC a few years ago and came back the next day to watch her fire up those engines and fly away. Later I got a ride in a B 17 (Liberty Belle) and it was well worth the $400.

More important, when these planes visit so do the veterans. Typically a thin old man on his daughters arm with a 10,000 yard stare. These vets are getting fewer and fewer and I have been blessed to know a few. God Bless them. Joe

[Bob Michaels]

Originally Posted by Livesteamer

........................... More important, when these planes visit so do the veterans. Typically a thin old man on his daughters arm with a 10,000 yard stare. These vets are getting fewer and fewer and I have been blessed to know a few. God Bless them. Joe

Long ago, I took my two (then) young sons to a Doolittle Raiders reunion and B-25 fly-in. There were about 12 of the members of Doolittle Raiders there speaking with everyone. I was trying to explain to my sons the significance of who they were and what they did.

One of the Raiders came over and said to my sons "I know, you can't figure out why they sent a bunch of old farts like us out to do such a important mission." My sons just bobbed their heads up and down in agreement.

[rxmd]

Originally Posted by JSU

The Cavanaugh is top shelf all the way! They have a F-104 which is one of the more beautiful jets ever!

Beautiful, yes, but also lovingly named "Earth Nail" and "Widowmaker" (at least in northern Germany where most of the German F-104s were based). The Luftwaffe lost 30% of their Starfighters and 108 pilots to accidents.

[TXForester]

Originally Posted by JSU

They have a F-104 which is one of the more beautiful jets ever!

I prefer props, but I do like the F-104 and the early model F-86 Sabers. Otherwise, jets are ugly.

I'll have to see if I still have an old copy of Air Classics that told of the NF-104A used in USAF test pilot school. It described the typical flight profile. An abbreviated description is in Wikipedia under NF-104A.

[oftheherd]

Originally Posted by JSU

The Cavanaugh is top shelf all the way! They have a F-104 which is one of the more beautiful jets ever!

This one, once based in Houston is now based in Arizona. I am the photographer and copyright holder of the attached image.

When I was young and in the Civil Air Patrol as a cadet, I remember being told the F-104's wing's leading edges were so thin and sharp, they had to put felt on them on the ground so the air crew could safely work on the aircraft.

[I Love Film]

That is a good subject and nice photos.

[Chuck Albertson]

The Museum of Flight in Seattle has a recently-restored B-29 on the premises, but I don't believe it's airworthy. It's currently shrink-wrapped to protect it from the elements--sort of a cross between Christo and Curtis LeMay.