Iconic Superfortress Forced to Push Back the Start of the 2025 Tour

FIFI, one of only two flying B-29 Superfortresses, will be grounded for the next month or so for intensive repairs to two of its engines. Unfortunately, this timing means that the Commemorative Air Force will be forced to push back its 2025 AirPower History Tour.

The iconic bomber had been undergoing typical preseason checks with the B-29/B-24 Squadron maintenance team, spearheaded by Matthew Hood, when issues were noticed with engines two and four. These were identified as necessary repairs, leaving Squadron leadership with the tough decision to delay the aircraft’s first tour stop.

"We understand how disappointing this news is for our volunteers, supporters, and aviation fans," commented Jeremy Lashbrook, B-29/B-24 Squadron Leader. "But our guiding principle remains clear: If the job is done right, it is safe. We owe it to the brave veterans who flew these aircraft — and to future generations — to ensure FIFI continues to fly with the highest standards of safety and care."

Hood and the team removed engines two and four before sending them to California for cheaper and more efficient repairs. Volunteers have been working alongside the crew and are expected to complete the project within the next month, getting FIFI back in the air in time for the Lexington, Kentucky, tour stop on June 25, 2025.

In the meantime, the Commemorative Air Force is seeking some extra financial assistance to help it through FIFI’s repairs. As if maintaining an eighty-some-year-old airplane isn’t expensive enough, losing a significant amount of tour revenue early on puts an extra burden on the non-profit and the hundreds of other warbirds in its collection.

"We have an incredible community around these aircraft," Lashbrook continued. "Now more than ever, we need everyone to come together — whether it's volunteering your time, pitching in at tour stops, or making a donation. It truly takes a village to keep history alive."

The AirPower History Tour will still have plenty of stops with FIFI, going through Evansville, Mansfield, Wright-Patterson AFB, Oshkosh, Des Moines, St. Louis, Tulsa, and more. Its final stop will be Dallas’s Aviation Discovery Fest in October.

FMI: www.airpowersquadron.org