Of the 3,900 B-29 bombers built between 1943 and 1946, only two are still flying, and both are kept in the air by not-for-profit organizations. FiFi, owned and operated by The Commemorative Air Force based in Dallas, Texas, flies paying customers at air shows and the like. Doc, owned and operated by Doc’s Friends, Inc., based in Wichita, Kansas, does the same.
In total, 447 B-29s were lost in combat in Asia, 414 alone over Japan during WWII. The remaining 33 were lost during the Korean War, from 1950 to 1953. Where are the thousands of others produced, you might ask? Mostly rusting in American “boneyards,” the loose term given to where aircraft go once they outlive their usefulness.
Mike Killian, a photojournalist specializing in aviation, this past week took an hour-and-a-half media flight from Dallas to Houston on FiFi. Following are edited excerpts from a longer conversation with Killian where he describes his experience.
Jim Clash: How did this flight compare with others you’ve taken, say, on military aircraft? Why, in particular, were you so excited about this plane?
Mike Killian: As you know, there are only two B-29s still flying, and FiFi was the only one for many years. The historical significance and rarity make this flight stand out. FiFi is as close to a time machine as I can think of, a trip back eight decades. You feel and hear the engines – can smell the plane come alive – and it brings new respect for our grandfathers who went to war as youngsters in it. The “Star Wars” Millenium Falcon cockpit was based on the B-29, too, which adds another cool factor.
Clash: What was your maximum altitude, speed and G’s, on your flight? What, if any, maneuvers did the plane perform? Did you wear a parachute?
Killian: We climbed to 3,500 ft., flying at about 215 mph, pretty standard for these guys because they like communities to see and hear the fly-overs. That gets folks out to the air shows to buy rides. There were no Gs, as it’s a heavy 80-year-old bomber on our short flight from Dallas to Houston for an air show. The bomber doesn’t really do maneuvers, eithe, not like fighter jets can. Back in WWII, though, the -29s were escorted by fighters which could maneuver easily to counter any threats.
You don’t wear parachutes on FiFi. Passengers are throughly briefed on emergency ground egress and sign waivers before the flights. And, if something were to go wrong in-flight, jumping out with a parachute is a bad idea. You won’t be at a high-enough altitude, and the crew can likely ditch the plane safely in a field or something.
Clash: Discuss the various crew positions (gunner, etc) that can be occupied during flight. Which, for you, was most interesting?
Killian: You can only occupy one position in flight once you take off. Movement in the plane is kept to a minimum, which is why each crew/passenger has a dedicated seat.
I sat in the observer seat, directly behind the pilot-in-command (PIC), which provides a full view of the cockpit. The observer is another set of eyes while the pilots and flight engineer (FE) focus on their specific duties. The observer can quickly assist any issue the pilots and FE might encounter. It was great for me as a photographer to be there, as I could capture all of the action in the whole cockpit. In the nose, for example, you can’t do that.
Clash: FiFi underwent engine overhauls this year, delaying some early scheduled flights. Why? Did the fact the engines were overhauled give you any pause, or actually boost your confidence?
Killian: Yes, FiFi underwent a major overhaul on two of its four engines this past spring. The bomber typically flies from spring to November each year, at which point it goes into an annual winter maintenance.
Everyone who works with FiFi is a volunteer, minus the mechanics who are paid. The outfit doesn’t have the luxury of tax dollars paying salaries to an entire U.S. Air Force wing for combat-readiness at a moment’s notice. Thus it takes several months to inspect the aircraft and engines, and to fix or replace any parts in question.
After inspections and maintenance come engine test-runs on the ground, and that’s where the problems with the two engines were discovered. Unfortunately, this year it happened close to the start of scheduled tours. But it did prove the maintenance program works. It’s better to find an issue on the ground than in the air, of course. The crews take no chances with such a national treasure as FiFi, or with paying passengers.
I had no hesitation or reservations, and I would trust my life to the operators, as many thousands of passengers have. FiFi has an incredible safety record, and the FAA pays close attention. If anything, discovering the engine issues and fixing them in record time, then getting back on tour safely, was a confidence boost for me.
Clash: Give me some general background on your pilots, and how the FiFi operation works in terms of how folks can purchase flights.
Killian: The volunteer crew and pilots are from various backgrounds – some former military, some not and come from the civilian world like the airlines. All are highly qualified. The Commemorative Air Force is non-profit, so its planes can only keep flying with public support. People can buy rides when the plane visits their regional air shows, or even volunteer with the squadron who will teach anyone serious about joining. People can donate, too. It’s an expensive operation, but hey, this is history in action.
Clash: You’ve flown on a lot of exotic aircraft. What would you say is the best part about flying on FiFi if you are just a regular Joe?
Killian: The people. The history itself is incredible. These planes changed the course of human history. The crews welcome you like they’ve known you forever, are friendly and accommodating, and are passionate about educating customers about the plane while honoring our veterans. You may buy a seat expecting a fun flight, but walk away remembering the people who made the experience more enjoyable than you could ever have imagined.