Home » Iconic Boeing B-29 Superfortress to Visit Trenton Mercer Airport

Iconic Boeing B-29 Superfortress to Visit Trenton Mercer Airport

by MercerMe Staff

FIFI, the Commemorative Air Force’s (CAF) iconic Boeing B‐29 Superfortress, will fly into Trenton Mercer Airport May 29 for a three-day event. FIFI is one of only two remaining airworthy B-29s in the world and is the only one that flies regularly. The B-29 and other vintage military aircraft will be on display at Signature Flight Support, 34 East Piper Avenue in Trenton. Accompanying aircraft include a C‐45 Expeditor, T‐6 Texan, and a collection of World War II liaison aircraft from the local CAF Delaware Valley Squadron based at Princeton Airport.

These aircraft are powerful history lessons bringing the sights, sounds, and stories of World War II aviation history to audiences across the United States. Visitors may tour the B‐29 cockpit and purchase rides in the B-29, C-45, and T-6. The liaison aircraft — an L-4, L-9, L-16, L-17, and T-51 will be on static display throughout the event.

The Boeing B‐29 Superfortress, first flown in 1942, began active service in 1944 and is best known as the aircraft whose missions over Japan helped bring about the end of World War II. It was designed as a replacement for the older B‐17s and B‐24s, with longer range and greater bomb loads. The airplane represented state of the art technology at the time. 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, celebrating her 43rd year with the Commemorative Air Force (CAF) in 2017, is visiting local airports throughout the United States as the feature aircraft in the CAF AirPower History Tour. The tour brings aircraft, pilots and crews from over 60 CAF units located throughout the country together to create an ever changing assortment of touring military airplanes.

The donation for ramp access is $10 for adults and $5 for children age 11‐17. Children age 10 and under are free. The airplanes will be on static display when they are not flying. The event will be open to the public Monday, May 29, from 2:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. and Tuesday and Wednesday, May 30 and 31 from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Ride prices range from $80 to $1595 and reservations may be made at www.AirPowerTour.org where additional information about the tour stop may also be found.

 

About the CAF’s B29 Superfortress, FIFI:  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 planned to be used as a missile target. The airplane was rescued and restored and flew for over thirty years until 2006 when the chief pilot made the decision to ground her pending a complete power plant re-fit. 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. Learn more about FIFI and her tour schedule at www.AirPowerTour.org.

About the Commemorative Air Force:  The Commemorative Air Force honors the men and women who built, maintained, and flew in these airplanes during World War II. The organization believes that is best accomplished by maintaining the airplanes in flying condition; taking the airplanes to the people allowing them to experience the sight and sound of the aircraft in flight. 

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 non-profit educational association, the CAF has more than 11,000 members and a fleet of 165 airplanes distributed throughout the country to 68 CAF units for care and operation. For more information, visit commemorativeairforce.org.

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