Tour B-29 Bomber FIFI This Weekend

The Commemorative Air Force (CAF) and CAF Airpower Museum invite you to spend Sat., Dec. 11 with heroes! It will be a busy day at the CAF with lots to offer West Texas community members including a seminar featuring U.S. Naval heroes and tours of aircraft, including the world’s only flying B-29 Superfortress FIFI!

Start your Saturday off with a tour of FIFI! Before heading off for winter maintenance at her new home in Addison, Texas, help the CAF give the old girl a proper send off! Throughout the day on Saturday, the public will have an opportunity to tour this powerful vintage bomber and purchase rides. Rides in the CAF’s B-29 will be available for purchase throughout Saturday and early Sunday. Purchase in advance by visiting www.cafb29b24.org or calling (432) 413-4100.

At 2 p.m. make your way to the CAF Commemorative Center for the second of the very popular “Remembrance of War” seminar series, a part of the museum’s Above and Beyond Educational Program. This seminar, “Hellcats to Tomcats,” will feature naval aviators from World War II to the present day speaking of how they earned their wings.

Hear stories of flight from World War II aviator Lt. (jg) George Coombes, USNR, who flew F6F Hellcats with VF-15. Cmdr. Emory Brown, USN (ret) who flew F-14 Tomcats with VF-84, will speak of his experiences in the 1970s and 80s. Maj. Chris "Skyler" Kyler, USMC (ret) flew AV-8 Harriers during Desert Storm and Iraqi Freedom and now flies the T-45 Goshawk with the Naval Air Training Command. Other invited speakers include Capt. Al Fox, who flew both fixed wing and rotor-wing aircraft during the Vietnam War, and Capt. Mark Hubbard, who flies the F/A-18 Horner and is currently commanding Strike Fighter Wing, US Pacific Fleet.

After the seminar, visit the aircraft on display and take a cockpit tour of the F-14 Tomcat, the SNJ advanced trainer and the F6F Hellcat.

Admission to the "Remembrance of War" seminar series is $10 for adults, $5 for students 6-18, museum members and CAF Colonels.  It is free for kids five years and under.  Seating is limited. At the conclusion of the seminar, attendees will have an opportunity to ask questions.

For more information, call the museum at (432) 563-1000 or visit www.airpowermuseum.org. The "Remembrance of War" seminar series is sponsored in part by the Odessa Council for the Arts and Humanities.