ROCKWALL —
“FIFI,” the only flyable Boeing B-29 Superfortress, is scheduled to take flight tomorrow with Congressman Ralph Hall on board.
The vintage World War II aircraft is operated by the Commemorative Air Force (CAF), and will be departing Addison Airport’s Cavanaugh Flight Museum as part of a multi-state tour. Because of his dedication to aviation, Congressman Hall –who is a WWII Veteran– has been invited along for the ride.
“I stood on the spot where the atomic bomb was loaded on the Enola Gay which was also a B-29, but I never thought that I would have an opportunity to fly one,” Hall said. “I am honored to be invited to climb aboard, but I may need to strap on my parachute again just in case those bomber pilots give me a hard time for flying fighters in the Navy.”
“FIFI” and Hall will be at the museum from 9 to 10 a.m. at 4720 George Haddaway Drive in Addison before departing to Tyler.
Since her return to flight in the fall of 2010 following an extensive overhaul project, FIFI has been featured in publications like FLYING, AIRCRAFT, Warbird Digest, and the Wall Street Journal. Through these publications and her appearances at air shows and aviation events across the country, FIFI has touched the lives of tens of thousands of Americans and shared the story of the Greatest Generation. Should the proposed amendment be allowed to pass, FIFI would be relegated to a static display in a museum where her reach would be limited to only those who were able and interested in traveling to her. Meanwhile, the sounds of her engines and sight of her in the skies could no longer inspire children to learn about the history of American Military Aviation or remind adults of the sacrifices made for our freedoms.
The CAF is the premier warbird organization operating 156 vintage aircraft in honor of American Military Aviation. A non-profit educational association, the CAF has approximately 9,000 members and its fleet of historic aircraft are distributed to 74 units located in 27 states for care and operation. For more information, visit www.commemorativeairforce.org or call (432)563-1000.
Local News
Historic plane takes flight with Congressman Ralph Hall
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