"Fifi" in 1988

[syscom3]

Thought you all might want to see these pics I took at Chino in 1988.

[Thorlifter]

Thanks for posting syscom. I don't remember when the CAF got Fifi, but I want to say I first saw her in 1976 in Harlingen, Texas, though I may be wrong on the date. What a glorious plane.

Here in Dallas, there is a flight museum called the Cavenaugh Flight Musuem at the Addison airport. Jim Cavenaugh has pledged something like 2 million dollars to the rebuild of the engines on Fifi.

It's just staggering how much it cost to do work on these priceless birds.

[wilbur1]

Thats one BIG bird

[Haztoys]

Now the plane "looks" to be painted white ...Why ...And were they painted in the war times ...I know dumb thing to ask...Or is it just the pic...

[syscom3]

It was painted white at the time. I think for protection for the surfaces.

Definitely not wartime colors.

[Gnomey]

Great stuff sys!

[pbfoot]

Gotta pic of her from 81 and she's silver get it posted as soon as figure out why printer won't turn on

[ToughOmbre]

Last time I saw her she was polished aluminum. Also heard that an organization made a contribution to enable all new engines to be installed; hopefully will keep her in the air for some time to come.

TO

[Micdrow]

Great bird and pictures syscom3, it was first grounded due to problems on the inside of the main wing if I remember right and now grounded due to shelling out all four engines. At a millon dollars an engine they are trying to raise the money to fix or replace all 4 engines though I have not heard how well things are going lately with her.

[Wayne Little]

Great shots Sys! thanks.....

[Aggie08]

I've got pictures of me with FiFi when I was a kid. I don't remember it, but I sure as hell wish I did!

[Geedee]

She is one big bird !.

Got the chance to go inside last year at the CAF Airsho in Midland. First impression is 'Blimey, its big ' !.

Heres a load of pics ... not quite a walk around... as I couldn't actually get in the back...the ladder was just too short !

Second impression 'Blimey, its big !.

Cant wait to see het back where she belongs...in the sky. And yes, I did leave some of the folding stuff in the collection box.

[syscom3]

EXCELLENT!!!!!!!!!

[HoHun]

Hi Geedee,

>Heres a load of pics ... not quite a walk around... as I couldn't actually get in the back...the ladder was just too short !

Thanks a lot - trying to research for a simulator model last year, I searched the net wide and far and didn't find anything even approaching the quality of your pictures anywhere! :-)

One question: Do you know if the verticual tubes on the inside of the pilot and copilot dashboard are control locks? They seem to be featured only in pictures of parked aircraft, but I haven't been able to find out for sure.

And one picture request: If you were able to shoot the tail section from the outside, could you please post one showing the tail gunner's position and the underside of the tail? The reason I ask is that I have been trying to find out the position of the tail light - without any success so far.

Big thanks again!

Henning (HoHun)

[Geedee]

Hi Geedee,

>
Thanks a lot - trying to research for a simulator model last year, I searched the net wide and far and didn't find anything even approaching the quality of your pictures anywhere!

One question: Do you know if the verticual tubes on the inside of the pilot and copilot dashboard are control locks? They seem to be featured only in pictures of parked aircraft, but I haven't been able to find out for sure.

And one picture request: If you were able to shoot the tail section from the outside, could you please post one showing the tail gunner's position and the underside of the tail? The reason I ask is that I have been trying to find out the position of the tail light - without any success so far.

Big thanks again!

Henning (HoHun)

Hiya.

Do you mean the vertical red tubes ?. They're something to do with the brakes...I've added a blown up segment from one of the cockpit shots that should help. On looking at the handles, it looks like they could be a parking brake ?

Ref external tail pics, I've added the only ones I have (Including a fuzzy one !!). I'm not sure but on the pic of the rearmost under fuselage gun barbette, it looks like there might be a light between the .50's ?

And thanks for the comments guys, much appreciated.