Iconic flight on one of the last surviving WWII B-29 Superfortress bombers in VR
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FIFI is one of the last surviving Superfortresses. These heavy bombers were primarily flown during World War II and were used to drop the atomic bombs on Hiroshima and Nagasaki. Today, a handful of passionate pilots fight to preserve them.
There are only two operational Boeing B-29 Superfortresses in the world. FIFI is one of them.
She is nearly identical to the Enola Gay and Bockscar, the airplanes that dropped atomic bombs on Japan in 1945, contributing to the end of World War II.
While FIFI didn’t fight during the war, a flight on her is a unique trip back in time.
“I can’t say it was a dream come true because I’d never dreamed of doing anything like this,” B-29 pilot Mark Novak remarked.
B-29 Superfortresseses were used for combat missions in the Pacific Theater during World War II. The planes were pushed into production before testing, so they were plagued by engine problems. It’s estimated that more aircraft were lost due to engine failure than enemy action.
Despite its mechanical setbacks, B-29s were one of the most technologically advanced airplanes of its time, featuring a pressurized cabin and remotely controlled guns. They boast over 8,000 horsepower, surpassing the entire starting lineup of the Indy 500. Hear FIFI’s (restored) engine roars with VRtually There in the video.
FIFI was used as a training airplane before being placed at a U.S Navy weapons test center in the Mojave Desert. She was going to be used as a missile target. In the early 1970s she was rescued by the Commemorative Air Force (CAF). The organization selected her from a group of approximately thirty B-29s because she had the least broken glass.
CAF works to preserve United States military aircraft to honor the men and woman who flew and built them. Instead of storing warbirds in a museum, CAF brings history to tarmacs around the country. After undergoing an extensive restoration, FIFI now flies to cities across America, where people can see her up close and even climb aboard for a flight.
When flying on a B-29, the bombardier seat is often called the best seat in the house given the panoramic views the front glass provides.
See for yourself in the video above.
Special Thanks
Commemorative Air Force: commemorativeairforce.org/
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Пікірлер: 52
In 2001, just a few weeks after September 11th, My in-laws and I visited an airshow at the Ellington Field Air force Base in Houston. We saw and photographed a wide array of aircraft from WWII onward. I must say the most impressive display was the arrival of FIFI and the flight in formation of some of the few remaining airworthy B-17's (Four of them) at the time. Good to see FIFI is still around to remind us of the tremendous effort made to ensure our freedom.
thanks to all the crew and their staff in ww2
Always wanted to fly in a B 29 loved the looks of it.
Wow! Great video! Interesting to pan around inside the airplane.
Thanks for this very interesting photography. Though I would have liked to see more of this aircraft, I didn’t really know what I was seeing, combined with the nerve wracking music, it’s half way was a complete experience.
My cousin was the AC and pilot of a B-29 that flew out of Saipan. On 23-24 May 1945 his crew left on their 25th mission, dropped their bomb load on Toyko started to turn out for the return leg when his plane was hit by AAA and crashed into Tokyo Bay. The co-pilot was the only survivor.
Thank you for such an AWESOME and informative video! I joined the Southern CA CAF a couple weeks ago to volunteer and I'm so incredibly excited to be a member of this amazing group of people. Though I'm a paraplegic and double amputee, I hope one day to earn the privilege and honor of flying in one of these historical aircraft.
@edwardgurick5432
4 жыл бұрын
i pray you do too bro...but they are super narrow and loud and moving the arrows around give a similar effect
@nomorebikes
4 жыл бұрын
@@edwardgurick5432 Thank you my friend! I was able to see some interior shots of a B-17 taken by my father. I think were I enter via the waist hatch, I could probably crawl in and onto one of the fabric seats. The issue I discovered with one outfit who fly a couple WWII bombers claim the "rider" must be able to move around on their own. While I can do this to a certain extent by scooting on my butt/legs, I get the impression they prefer I be able to move with greater speed were things to go south and I needed to quickly exit the aircraft. We'll see if this policy is applicable with the CAF. Have a great day!
The 360 effect gives me a migraine trying to figure what I'm looking at. Thanks to the veterans nonetheless!
the hula girl is an amazing touch
My dad helped to build these airplanes up until the time he enlisted for the war. I still have his Certificate from Bell Aircraft. Looks almost like a military discharge but it specifically states he worked in production of the B29 Super Fortress.
Omfg THANK YOU!
My dad was a navigator in a B29, was shot down over Europe, made his way over the Alps on foot and finally made it home without a scratch. He was lucky and I was fortunate!
@GannicusMisteriosdeHonduras
4 жыл бұрын
I call bullshit as B29s never flew over the European theater
eyy i live in the vally too probably Harlingen or another town in the vally who knows lol
I sow fifi in a show in dallas
Imagine flying to Japan with that *"oh no"*
oh my Japan looks like a nice place to drop this weird egg looking package
My dad's uncle was a gunner on a B-29.
My uncle Leonard was shot down in a B-29 behind Enemy lines in Germany WWII,. He and three others survived only to be trapped in enemy territory for 6 mos, all made it home w/o being captured.
@lkj53
6 жыл бұрын
Which isn't possible because the B-29 wasn't in Europe, it only operated in the Pacific.
@lkj53
6 жыл бұрын
Matthew Deedrick It was most likely a B-24 Liberator or B-26 Marauder. I’m leaning towards B-24 since far more were made.
@DasDeeds
6 жыл бұрын
I like constructive criticism better, at least I learned something today. I retract my previous statement. Thanks!!
Oh wow I’m on crack I just realized at 3:22 that I can move my phone around to see everything in the B-29.
@ICA509
5 жыл бұрын
Yeah, it's cool
Thank you a hundred times over to the greatest generation ever. Their kids,me..are in my case 71 and never for one moment did I ever think differently. My dad dropped out of college and joined the Marines. He came home from his last battle, Okinawa then prepared for KOREA but didn’t have to go with 2 kids And weren’t we lucky? I am proud of my boomer generation,we contributed more money to the Gov them anyup to this day. Now after working a lifetime from 17 to 64 they want me to share that money with non citizens. And with raises I’m Medicare, my s.s. check is lower than it is written I should get. Does that seem right? Anyway, GOD BLESS THE MEN AND WOMEN WHO DO ALL THE FIGHTING FOR OUR COUNTRY
@peacequiet
4 жыл бұрын
@aryan ayaan aren't you a prize... So you hate me an 8th generation American ? Don't spend a moment selling me on illegal aliens.
Worked on lots of these in the 1951 -52 s.EwH
Ngl it looks like the millennium falcon
How it is done
To bad key bird was burned up he and the team the we're trying to save the key bird ment well but should of had better planing and inspected it better like having fire extinguishers at ready when i watched the documentry i knew they was in troble wen they filled a flat with propane because no air compressor
Not identical, they had less guns and bigger bomb bay designed to hold the atomic bomb.
B17 are supposted to be older brother than b29
Pls explains to me
if you say hitler that is bad if you say 911 that is bad but say b29 that is okay
@JoeOo4620
6 жыл бұрын
Hamad 380 The fact is that it is the only one I'm I'm so happy The fact that I'm so happy
@Ford_Raptor_R_720hp_V8
6 жыл бұрын
A B-29 is not a Nuclear Weapon, and if that's what you meant then it saved 10's if not 100's of thousands of American lives by quickly ending a World War.
Revolting camera work
murder plane
First
@farokjutt4158
6 жыл бұрын
Farok.jutt
@Ford_Raptor_R_720hp_V8
6 жыл бұрын
B - I - G F - U - C - K - I - N -G D - E - A - L
@fireplane5live674
5 жыл бұрын
Sad
Người việt
Американский кирдык
The B-29 was a piece of crap. I'd rather fly an F4F-U Corsair fighter. It was a better aircraft than the P-51!