BorgBiker
Well-Known Member
No, this is not a NSFW story. Yesterday I fulfilled a dream I've had since I was 10 - took a ride on the (until recently) only flying B29 SuperFortress left - FIFI. She makes the rounds around the US to help raise money to keep her running so future generations can experience some of the history firsthand.
Here's a link for details on the Commemorative Air Force branch that FIF belongs to:
http://www.cafb29b24.org/
I rode in the 'belly of the beast' and got to check out the back half of the plane. In the future (when finances allow) I'll take another ride from the bombardier's seat in the nose of the plane.
There's something very cool about the sound of 4 18 cylinder radial engines (that's 72 3.2 liter cylinders) thundering around you. It was loud, but it wasn't nearly inside as loud as my Kerker with the comp baffle sounds inside my helmet!
Flying in a warbird isn't cheap - they burn literally tons of fuel and oil. The pilot told us it's about a million a year to keep fluids in this single aircraft. Maintenance, fuel and supplies do not come cheap, and when something breaks there is no place to buy a replacement. Custom fabrication is the ONLY way to keep these running. The crews are usually volunteers who love flying, but they always have a paid mechanic with them – who keeps the plane flying. These guys can repair any part of the plane, and are employees of the CAF.
I know not everyone can afford a seat, or lives near enough to be able to take a ride in one of these beauties. But if you are a lover of aircraft, especially WWII aircraft, please consider donating any little bit you can afford. If you live near one of the many CAF 'Wings' please consider lending your time to help. My hope is that when my grandkids (who aren’t around yet) are grown, they can show THEIR kids what impressive machinery was possible before computers, 3D printing and Virtual Reality.
Video:
Short B29 Flight Over Ventura County Ca
Takeoff From Inside The Belly Of The Beast
Here's a link for details on the Commemorative Air Force branch that FIF belongs to:
http://www.cafb29b24.org/
I rode in the 'belly of the beast' and got to check out the back half of the plane. In the future (when finances allow) I'll take another ride from the bombardier's seat in the nose of the plane.
There's something very cool about the sound of 4 18 cylinder radial engines (that's 72 3.2 liter cylinders) thundering around you. It was loud, but it wasn't nearly inside as loud as my Kerker with the comp baffle sounds inside my helmet!
Flying in a warbird isn't cheap - they burn literally tons of fuel and oil. The pilot told us it's about a million a year to keep fluids in this single aircraft. Maintenance, fuel and supplies do not come cheap, and when something breaks there is no place to buy a replacement. Custom fabrication is the ONLY way to keep these running. The crews are usually volunteers who love flying, but they always have a paid mechanic with them – who keeps the plane flying. These guys can repair any part of the plane, and are employees of the CAF.
I know not everyone can afford a seat, or lives near enough to be able to take a ride in one of these beauties. But if you are a lover of aircraft, especially WWII aircraft, please consider donating any little bit you can afford. If you live near one of the many CAF 'Wings' please consider lending your time to help. My hope is that when my grandkids (who aren’t around yet) are grown, they can show THEIR kids what impressive machinery was possible before computers, 3D printing and Virtual Reality.
Video:
Short B29 Flight Over Ventura County Ca
Takeoff From Inside The Belly Of The Beast