CAF's B-29 "Fifi" Arrives at Spirit of St. Louis Airport TAC Air Terminal

The Commemorative Air Force's B-29 "Fifi" arrived at Spirit of St. Louis Airport's TAC Air terminal today around 4:30 p.m.  It was joined by the MO CAF B-25J Mitchell "Show Me" on the apron.  "Fifi" will be in St. Louis for the next few days, and rides will be given as they are reserved.  B-29 combat veteran, Dick Windler, was on hand to welcome the B-29.  A crowd of enthusiasts gathered to view the aircraft, and here are a few photos of the event.  More coverage will follow this week. 

CAF's B-29 "Fifi" Taxis In After Landing in St. Louis, MO (Mark Nankivil Photo)

B-29 Combat Veteran, Dick Windler, Poses In Front of "Fifi" (Mark Nankivil Photo)

CAF B-29 "Fifi" at Spirit of St. Louis Airport, MO

CAF's B-29 "Fifi" Bomb Bay

Aviation Enthusiasts Gather to View CAF's B-29 "Fifi" in St. Louis

CAF's B-29 "Fifi" Attracts Attention in St. Louis

MO CAF B-25J "Show Me" Arrives at Spirit of St. Louis Airport

MO CAF B-25J "Show Me" Is Positioned Near B-29 "Fifi"

Beautiful 1956 Beech Twin Bonanza Stops in St. Louis from Texas

James S. McDonnell Prologue Room at Boeing IDS in St. Louis Honors Boeing, Douglas, North American and McDonnell Legacies

Boeing IDS HQ is located in St. Louis County, MO

Veterans Memorial adjacent to Boeing IDS HQ dedicated in 2005

Large F-15 Eagle model stands outside the Prologue Room  

Entrance to the Prologue Room

Wall of Honor: William Boeing, Donald Douglas, James Kindelberger, James S. McDonnell

Lobby theater is popular with tour groups

Large Blue Angels F/A-18A Hornet Model

Aircraft Lineage display tracks developments from 1920s to present

Mercury and Gemini spacecraft full-scale engineering development fixtures

Mercury spacecraft full-scale engineering development fixture

Gemini spacecraft full-scale engineering development fixture

Military aircraft model display

Weapons and spacecraft display

Commercial aircraft model display

For more information about visiting the James S. McDonnell Prologue Room, go to http://www.boeing.com/companyoffices/aboutus/tours/prologueroom/index.html for details.

Missouri Aviation Historical Society Welcomes B-29 Pilot Ahead of "Fifi" Visit

Members of the Missouri Aviation Historical Society were awed by fellow member Dick Windler, former USAAF B-29 pilot who flew 35 missions over Japan, as he reflected on his experience as a USAAF bomber pilot.  After flying B-17s and B-24s in Europe, Mr. Windler flew B-29s during and after the allied bombing campaign against Japan.  His story is featured in the new book, B-29 Combat Missions, by Donald Nijboer and Steve Pace.   At 90 years young, Dick Windler is looking forward to visiting the only flying B-29, "Fifi," when it arrives in St. Louis next month.

Greater St. Louis Air & Space Museum Displays Jetstar Once Owned by Howard Hughes

Lockheed Jetstar, s/n 5145, arrived at the Greater St. Louis Air & Space Museum in early 2007 and has since stood guard in front of the museum's historic 1929 Curtiss-Wright hangar. 

Trip to Evergreen Aviation & Space Museum Puts Local Air Museum President Among Giants

Jeremy Cox

The Aero Experience contributor Jeremy Cox, President of the Greater St. Louis Air & Space Museum and Author of St. Louis Aviation (see right column for details), was among giants today as he visited the Evergreen Aviation & Space Museum near McMinnville, Oregon.  GIANTS, like the Boeing 747-100 on top of the Water Park, a Boeing B-17G Flying Fortress heavy bomber from World War II, and of course the largest plane ever constructed - the Hughes-Kaiser HK-1 "Spruce Goose."  The aircraft made one tentative flight on November 2, 1947 with Howard Hughes and David Grant on the cockpit, along with a complement of flight engineers.  Below are a few photos of the HK-1 from Jeremy's visit.  For more information about the Evergreen Aviation & Space museum, please visit http://www.evergreenmuseum.org/.  Also visit our local Greater St. Louis Air & Space Museum website at http://www.airandspacemuseum.org/.

Voodoo Dolls - F-101s on Display in St. Louis County, MO

F-101B Voodoo 58-0281 - Spirit of St. Louis Airport, Chesterfield, MO

F-101F Voodoo 58-0269 - Civic Center, Florissant, MO