Flights Suspended While CAF Crews Check Into Roughness In #2

The CAF has suspended flight testing of the B-29 Superfortress FIFI while they look into an engine roughness issue in the #2 engine on the aircraft.

According to the CAF website, flights were suspended on August 7th, and an update two days later indicated that "The second test flights held on Friday, August 6 showed a roughness developing in engine #2. A timing issue was resolved, additional inspections and troubleshooting are taking place to see if there is a possibility of an additional cause. Engine runs should resume Monday August 9 in the afternoon or Tues. August 10 in the early morning. Flight tests should resume the weekend of August 13, providing all goes well with the engine runs."

FIFI is the only flying example of the B-29 Superfortress, which was credited with hastening the end of WWII serving as the delivery aircraft for the atomic bombs dropped over Japan. The aircraft has been re-engined with updated radials, and is scheduled to go on tour with country music star Aaron Tippin in the "Red, White, and Loud" tour later this summer.

Aaron Tippin

FIFI flew for the first time in 4 years on August 5th. That 39 minute flight was uneventful, and the CAF still expects to have the B-29 in Denver for the Colorado Sport International Air Show August 28th and 29th.

FMI: www.commemorativeairforce.org