Mechanical Problems Sideline CAF's B-29 for Second Straight Year
Aircraft will miss "Big Bomber Reunion" at EAA AirVenture

For the second straight year, mechanical problems have put the Commemorative Air Force's B-29 "Fifi" back in the hangar, cutting short the big World War II bomber's appearance schedule and forcing CAF to cancel its scheduled flight to EAA AirVenture Oshkosh 2006.

This time, engine problems grounded the 60-year-old aircraft. CAF maintenance personnel examined the problem and the repair timeline, and regretfully informed EAA that the airplane would not be able to be part of the "Big Bomber Reunion" at EAA AirVenture 2006, a once-in-a-generation gathering of the Allied Forces' heavy bombers of World War II.

In 2005, wing corrosion repairs kept "Fifi" from flying to Oshkosh.

"We're disappointed, of course, that Fifi will not join us for AirVenture 2006, but EAA certainly understands the complexities of flying and maintaining historic warbird aircraft, especially one as valuable as the CAF's B-29," said Tom Poberezny, EAA president and AirVenture chairman. "We are pleased that the CAF will be bringing its B-24 'Diamond Lil' to be part of the Big Bomber Reunion, which is still a gathering of aircraft that you'll see no place else but Oshkosh."

According to the CAF, "Diamond Lil" is the world's oldest flying four-engine aircraft, having been in continual service since before World War II. It will join the British Lancaster bomber and a significant number of B-17s and B-25 on the AirVenture flight line.

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