Fifi visit banner

The CAF SoCal Wing hosted the Boeing B-29 Superfortress "Fifi" at Camarillo Airport, March 18-20, 2013. A good sized crowd gathered to see this historic aircraft. Almost 4,000 of these aircraft were built, and this one is currently the only one still flying. The B-29 was the newest and most advanced heavy bomber of WWII. The B-29 was the first aircraft to drop an atomic bomb. In addition to it's WWII service, the B-29 served in Korea, notably dropping radio controlled bombs that targeted bridges and dams. Later variants of the B-29, the B-50, with larger engines, were used for a number of test projects, including serving as the "mother ship" for a number of advanced flight test projects, including the Bell X-1.
The B-29 visit brought out people of all ages. It was really great to see a number of WWII veterans on hand, some who flew in these aircraft.

C-46 Commando and T-6 Texan on the ramp
The CAF C-46 Commando "China Doll" with a T-6 Texan sit on the CAF ramp before the arrival of Fifi.

B-25 Mitchell "Executive Sweet"
The American Aeronautical Foundation had their B-25 Mitchell, "Executive Sweet" out for flights on Monday as well.

C-45 Expeditor, "Bucket of Bolts"
The scouting/support ship, a C-45 Expeditor "Bucket of Bolts", arrives at Camarillo, signalling that Fifi is inbound.

B-29 Superfortress with Spitfire, P-51 Mustang, f6f Hellcat, F8F Bearcat and A6M Zero
The B-29 arrives with 5 fighters, the F6F Hellcat, F8F Bearcat, A6M3 Zero P-51 Mustang and Spitfire Mk.XIV.
 
B-29 Superfortress, "Fifi"
B-29 Superfortress "Fifi" gives a nice flyover before preparing to land.

B-29 Superfortress on final approach.
On final approach into Camarillo.

B-29 Superfortress setting up to land.
Quite a sight to see at Camarillo, a B-29 about to land!

B-29 Superfortress taxiing
To the left is a Cessna 172, to give you an idea of how big this airplane is!

B-29 Superfortress taxies to the CAF ramp.
The guest of honor has arrived, to the excitement of the gathered crowd.

B-29 Superfrotress
It took a wide angle to get this shot!

B-29 nose.
Close up of the nose of Fifi as the crew taxies her into the CAF ramp.

B-29 Superfortress nose.
The nose of the B-29 Superfortress.

Line of people waiting to see the inside of the B-29
This was the line to get inside and see the cockpit area of the B-29. It was even longer on subsequent days.

Bombs in the bomb-bay of the B-29 Superfortress
The B-29 Superfortress had 2 bomb bays, each capable of carrying 20 of these 500lb. bombs, or other ordinance.

B-29 bomb bay tunnel.
Since the bomb bay was not pressurized, this was a tunnel to get between the fore and aft sections of the B-29. Not for the claustrophobic.

B-29 cockpit
The cockpit of the B-29 Superfortress. The bombsight in the middle is the famous Norden bombsight.

B-29 Superfortess engineers station
Gauges at the B-29 Engineer's station. He sat behind the right seat facing backward.

CAF SoCal ramp
The CAF SoCal Wing's ramp was crowded on Monday night for Fifi's visit.