MANSFIELD — The distinctive rumble of radial engines from two of the rarest World War II bombers, the B-29 Superfortress “FIFI,” will be heard in the skies over Mansfield in July.
The bombers will visit the Mansfield Lahm Regional Airport as part of the AirPower History Tour of the Commemorative Air Force. The two bombers are to be accompanied by a T-6 Texan, a PT-13 Stearman and the RC-45J SNB “Big Oily Beast.”
The P-51D Mustang “Gunfighter” will also be making an appearance.
The AirPower History Tour brings the sights, sounds and stories of World War II aviation to airports across North America each year. Visitors to the ramp will be able to view all aircraft up close, purchase rides and tour the B-29 cockpit when the aircraft is not flying.
The B-29 is scheduled to arrive on Wednesday, July 8 at 6 p.m. Accompanying aircraft are scheduled to arrive on Wednesday as well. The P-51D will arrive on Thursday afternoon July 9. The aircraft will be staged at the Niss Aviation FBO ramp, 2000 Harrington Memorial Road.
The event will be open to the public Thursday through Sunday, July 9 through July 12 from 9 a.m. until 5 p.m. Access to the ramp where the warbirds are parked is $20 for adults, $10 for children ages 11-17 and free for children 10 and under. The T-6, the PT-13 and the RC-45J will be offering rides each day. The P-51D will be offering rides beginning on Friday. The B-29 flies on Saturday and Sunday at 9 a.m. and 10:30 a.m. Cockpit tours of the B-29 will be available each day beginning at 9 a.m., except on Saturday and Sunday when they will begin at noon.
Rides may be booked in advance at AirPowerTour.org where additional information about the event may also be found.
ABOUT THE B-29 SUPERFORTRESS “FIFI”
The Boeing B-29 Superfortress, the largest and most technically advanced aircraft of its time, was first flown in 1942. It began active service in the US Army Air Corp in 1944 and is best known as the aircraft whose missions over Japan helped bring an end to World War II. The B-29 also was used in the Korean War in the early 1950s and was a staple of the U.S. Air Force until 1960. “FIFI,” one of only two B-29’s in the world still flying, was acquired by the CAF in 1971. She began touring in 1974 and has been entertaining air show audiences across the country ever since.
ABOUT THE P-51D MUSTANG
The North American P-51D Mustang is one of the most recognizable and loved aircraft in aviation history. With its speed, range and sleek lines, the P-51 became a favorite of Allied fighter pilots and bomber crews. The long-range fighter aircraft had a range of 1,300 miles that enabled it to accompany the bombers to their targets and back, and it was faster and more maneuverable than its German and Japanese opponents.
ABOUT THE T-6 TEXAN
The North American T-6 Texan, known as the “Pilotmaker”, was an advanced flight trainer that introduced new pilots to a complex aircraft with more speed of over 200-plus miles per hour, to prepare them for the warbirds they would fly in combat in WWII. The T-6 was designed for an instructor and student and had a closed cockpit.
ABOUT THE PT-13 STEARMAN
The Boeing PT-13 was the primary flight trainer for all branches of the military during World War II. This iconic biplane, almost universally known as the “Stearman,” trained more crews than any other aircraft in WWII. A ride in this open cockpit airplane brings back the wind-in-your hair feeling of the early days of flying.
ABOUT THE RC-45J SBN
The Beech SNB is a U.S. Navy/Marine variant of the civilian Model 18 Twin Beech. Over half of the 10,000 produced from 1937 and 1970 were for the U.S. Military, and were used for light transport, photoreconnaissance and navigation, bombing and gunnery training. Many Twin Beech aircraft survive today after serving post-military as relatively inexpensive, reliable light cargo aircraft.
ABOUT THE COMMEMORATIVE AIR FORCE
Through more than six decades of collecting and flying World War II aircraft, the CAF has become the world’s largest flying museum. Their fleet of over 170 World War II airplanes are assigned to unit locations across the U.S. and are supported by 12,000 volunteer members. Nearly all the aircraft are kept in flying condition, enabling people to experience firsthand the sight and sound of vintage military aircraft in flight. The CAF is dedicated to honoring American military aviation through flight, exhibition, education, and remembrance.
To learn more about the Commemorative Air Force, please visit www.commemorativeairforce.org.
