B-29 Superfortress FIFI plans first time visits to cities in Canada this summer

The Commemorative Air Force (CAF) AirPower History Tour will bring the sights, sounds, and stories of Second World War aviation to 26 cities in North America this summer including eight cities in Canada.

It is the first time in history the B-29 Superfortress, one of only two in the world that still fly, will be available for tours and rides at Canadian stops.

The tour’s collection of Second World War aircraft provides powerful history lessons to audiences across North America. Visitors to the ramp will be able to view the aircraft up close and tour the cockpit when the airplane is not flying. Rides may be purchased in advance at AirPowerTour.org.

The schedule:

Millington, Tenn.- May 17-20 (Aircraft include B-29, P-51, C-45, T-6, PT-13, T-34)

Jackson, Tenn. – May 21-23 (Aircraft include B-29, C-45, T-6, PT-13, T-34)

Huntsville, Ala. – May 24-27 (Aircraft include B-29, P-51, C-45, T-6, PT-13, T-34)

Roanoke, Va.- May 29-30 (Aircraft include B-29, C-45, T-6, PT-13)

World War II Weekend, Reading, Pa. – June 1-3 (Aircraft include B-29, C-45, T-6, PT-13)

Johnstown, Pa.- June 4-6 (Aircraft include B-29, C-45, T-6)

Williamsport, Pa. – June 8-10 (Aircraft include B-29, C-45, T-6)

Wilkes-Barre/Scranton, Pa. – June 13-17 (Aircraft include B-29, C-45, T-6)

Westover ARB, Mass. – June 20-24 (Aircraft include B-29, C-45, T-6)

Farmingdale, N.Y. – June 27-July 1 (Aircraft include B-29, C-45, T-6)

White Plains, N.Y. – July 4-8 (Aircraft include B-29, C45, T-6)

Nashua, N.H. – July 9-16 (Aircraft include B-29, C-45, T-6)

Montreal, Que. – July 18-22 (B-29 only)

Ottawa, Ont./Gatineau, Que. – July 25-30 (B-29 only)

Peterborough, Ont. – August 3-5 (B-29 only)

North Bay, Ont. – August 8-12 (B-29 only)

Kitchener, Ont. – August 13-15 (B-29 only)

London, Ont. – August 17-29 (B-29 only)

Windsor, Ont.- August 22-26 (B-29 only)

Hamilton, Ont.- August 30-September 2 (B-29 only)

Danville, Ill. – September 5-9 (Aircraft include B-29, P-51, C-45, T-6, PT-13)

Tulsa, Okla. – September 12-16 (Aircraft include B-29, P-51, C-45, T-6, PT-13)

Joplin, Mo. – September 24-26 (Aircraft include B-29, C-45, T-6, PT-13)

Great Bend, Kan. – September 28-30 (Aircraft include B-29, P-51, C-45, T-6, PT-13)

Air, Sea and Land Festival, New Orleans, La. – October 12-14

Wings Over Dallas, Dallas, Texas – October 26-28

Note: Stops listed are only those that include the B-29. Stops (TBA) are planned with other CAF aircraft including the B-24 Diamond Lil.

The Boeing B-29 Superfortress, first flown in 1942, began active service in 1944 and is perhaps best known as the aircraft whose missions over Japan helped bring about the end of the Second World War.

It was designed as a replacement for the older B-17s and B-24s, with longer range and greater bomb loads. The B-29 was also used in the Korean War in the early 1950s and was a staple of the U.S. Air Force until later that decade.

FIFI was acquired by the CAF in the early 1970s when a group of CAF members found her at the U.S. Navy Proving Ground at China Lake, Calif., where she was intended to be used as a missile target.

The airplane was rescued and restored and has flown for over 40 years traveling coast to coast each year, attracting large crowds at every tour stop