To the dismay of many people, including myself, I see on the Wix site that engines 2 and 3 on Fifi have started grinding out chunks of metal. This is after just 6 hours of flying after a recent overhaul, and could mean that she will be grounded for quite a while.
This is one aircraft I would dearly like to see on my next visit to the USA, as I have fond memories of the Boeing Washingtons at Waddington; not least the fantastic generosity of the American air and ground crews who, during a time when sweet rationing was in force in the UK, freely gave us kids our first taste of many goodies! “Any gum, chum?” was our plaintive wheedling, usually getting a marvellous response. Thanks, guys!
(And thanks for protecting us when the Cold War was absolutely freezing!)
By: ZRX61 - 30th April 2006 at 05:39
Who overhauled the engines this time?
By: Septic - 29th April 2006 at 10:13
A couple of shots of FIFI during happier times performing at Airsho 2001.
Septic.
By: Papa Lima - 27th April 2006 at 13:54
Thanks for that, BigVern, I have never seen any published references to USAF B-29s there before, but my memory of those kindly Yanks and their beautiful aircraft is very clear! In fact there were still some (perhaps ground crew) at RAF Waddington at Christmas, because (presumably Christmas 1948) was like fairyland for us children, we all got American-style presents, had Disney film shows, etc. as if we were in the States! “Hearts and minds” – and I was only 5 years old! My father was a Flight Sergeant in 61 Sqn with Lincolns at the time.
By: BIGVERN1966 - 27th April 2006 at 12:23
USAF B-29’s of the 372nd Bomb Squadron, 307th Bomb Group, were based at Waddington from July to November 1948. (the Group’s other two Squadrons were based at Marham).
By: Pete Truman - 27th April 2006 at 11:51
To the dismay of many people, including myself, I see on the Wix site that engines 2 and 3 on Fifi have started grinding out chunks of metal. This is after just 6 hours of flying after a recent overhaul, and could mean that she will be grounded for quite a while.
This is one aircraft I would dearly like to see on my next visit to the USA, as I have fond memories of the Boeing Washingtons at Waddington; not least the fantastic generosity of the American air and ground crews who, during a time when sweet rationing was in force in the UK, freely gave us kids our first taste of many goodies! “Any gum, chum?” was our plaintive wheedling, usually getting a marvellous response. Thanks, guys!
(And thanks for protecting us when the Cold War was absolutely freezing!)
I always thought that the Boeing Washingtons at Waddington were flown and operated by the RAF.
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April 26, 2006 at 9:59 pm