Commemorative Air Force B29 B24 Squadron

Commemorative Air Force B29 B24 Squadron The CAF B-29/B-24 Squadron's mission is to maintain, preserve and operate the world’s most famous fly Tippie National Aviation Education Center (NAEC).
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The CAF B-29/B-24 Squadron was created in the 1970s to oversee the maintenance and operation of two of the rarest aircraft in the world: one of two airworthy B-29 Superfortresses "FIFI", and the oldest and only flying B-24A Liberator "Diamond Lil". The squadron operates these two iconic aircraft to honor America’s military aviation and veterans through flight and exhibition. Since October 2021 the

Squadron is based at the Commemorative Air Force National Air Base in Dallas, Texas. When the aircraft are not on the road touring the United States, they will be on display at the Henry B. If you are interested in becoming a member of the Commemorative Air Force and the B-29/B-24 Squadron, please visit our web site at www.cafb29b24.org. Please direct all media inquires to our Public Information Officer, Jacques Robitaille, at [email protected].

Here's a perfect shot for from Randy Jennings. The Boeing Stearman Model 75 was one of the most iconic American milita...
05/30/2026

Here's a perfect shot for from Randy Jennings. The Boeing Stearman Model 75 was one of the most iconic American military trainer aircraft of the 1930s and 1940s. More than 10,600 were built, and the aircraft became the primary trainer for thousands of Allied pilots during World War II.

Originally produced by Stearman Aircraft before the company became a Boeing subsidiary in 1934, the aircraft was widely known as the Stearman, Boeing Stearman, or Kaydet. It served with the U.S. Army Air Forces, the U.S. Navy, and the Royal Canadian Air Force. In the USAAF, the two most produced variants were the PT-13, powered by the Lycoming R-680 radial engine, and the PT-17, powered by the Continental R-670 radial engine. There were also a smaller number of PT-18s with Jacobs R-755-7 engines. The Stearman you see appearing with FIFI at most stops is a PT-13.

Do you know what the aircraft was designated in the US Navy?

As you probably already know, the B-29 was designed by Boeing, and the B-24 by Consolidated. So, would it blow your mind...
05/29/2026

As you probably already know, the B-29 was designed by Boeing, and the B-24 by Consolidated. So, would it blow your mind to know that both companies share a special connection to May 29th?

On May 29, 1923, Reuben Fleet founded Consolidated Aircraft Corporation in Buffalo, New York. It became one of the leading producers of military aircraft during the interwar years and World War II, developing famous designs such as the PBY Catalina flying boat and the B-24 Liberator.

Then, six years later to the day, Boeing Aircraft of Canada was incorporated by William Edward Boeing of Seattle along with Henry Stonestreet Hoffar and Charles George Beeching of Vancouver, to design and build aircraft and to take over the Hoffar-Beeching Shipyards at Vancouver.

And to extend the connection between the two companies even further, during WWII Boeing Canada manufactured hundreds of Consolidated Catalina flying boats for Allied military service under license from Consolidated. Small world, right?

The more you know. 🌠

Before setting out on the first leg of the 2026 Airpower History Tour, the whole crew got to pose for a group photo befo...
05/28/2026

Before setting out on the first leg of the 2026 Airpower History Tour, the whole crew got to pose for a group photo before departing HQ. Recognize anyone?

05/27/2026

Have you ever seen inside the wing of a B-24 before?

If you're wondering how Diamond Lil is doing, the maintenance crew is hard at work back home trying to get her ready. The fuel tanks had to be resealed, so here's a rare look INSIDE the wing as the guys work on the tanks.

On the night of 26/27 May 1952, ten B-29 Superfortresses from the 19th Bombardment Group attacked the Sinhung-dong rail ...
05/26/2026

On the night of 26/27 May 1952, ten B-29 Superfortresses from the 19th Bombardment Group attacked the Sinhung-dong rail bridge in North Korea. Their target was not random. By this stage of the Korean War, United Nations air forces were trying to disrupt the movement of Communist troops, supplies, ammunition, and equipment from the rear areas toward the front.

The raid was part of the larger air interdiction campaign against North Korea’s rail network. Rail bridges were especially important targets because they created choke points. Destroying a bridge could stop or delay trains, force cargo onto slower routes, and complicate repairs across an already strained transportation system.

The mission was reported as a tactical success. The attacking B-29s destroyed one locomotive, sixteen boxcars, 350 linear feet of the bridge, and nearly 400 feet of track on the approaches. That meant the strike damaged not only the bridge itself, but also the rail infrastructure needed to use it.

The larger picture was more complicated. Communist repair crews had become skilled at restoring damaged rail lines and bridges, often under difficult conditions. By May 1952, UN planners were increasingly aware that rail interdiction alone was not producing decisive results. The enemy could still move supplies, even if at greater cost and with more delay.

The Sinhung-dong raid shows both the power and the limits of air interdiction in Korea. The B-29s could destroy bridges, trains, and tracks with devastating force. But airpower also faced an adaptive enemy that repaired, rerouted, concealed, and defended its supply system. The result was a constant contest between destruction from the air and recovery on the ground.

This Memorial Day, please join the CAF in honoring all those Americans who gave their life in the service of our country...
05/25/2026

This Memorial Day, please join the CAF in honoring all those Americans who gave their life in the service of our country. Enjoy the holiday, but never forget why we have it. 🫡

📸 Kevin Hong

Check out this photo of FIFI on takeoff by Curt Jennings. Nice capture, right?Anyone know, or care to guess, what the r...
05/23/2026

Check out this photo of FIFI on takeoff by Curt Jennings. Nice capture, right?

Anyone know, or care to guess, what the rotation speed on a B-29 is?

Another fan with a personal connection to the B-29, Jim Dunigan, wrote to share his grandfather's story. Some details in...
05/22/2026

Another fan with a personal connection to the B-29, Jim Dunigan, wrote to share his grandfather's story. Some details in it may differ from the documented historical record, but this is a family history passed down over generations. We share it in that spirit:

❝
I wanted to thank you all for your hospitality, and thanks for letting me sit in my grandfather's position on board "FIFI". It was the highlight of my visits.

I brought my grandfather's wings with me to take pictures with at his flight station.

My grandfather was F/O. James F. Dunigan. He served under the command of Col. Paul W. Tibbetts, U.S. 509th Composite Group, as a Flight Engineer/Aircraft Observer.

He never made it over to Tinian to join the rest of the advanced elements of the 509th. His flight, along with another were sitting on the tarmac at Hamilton Army Airfield, California, "waiting for the order to go". He, along with the two flights, remained at Hamilton for a few days; they were ordered not to leave their aircraft, chow and everything they'd need would be brought to them. They were under strict secrecy while on the ground at Hamilton.

They were to be ordered to Tinian if the two "devices" didn't lead to Japanese capitulation. The 509th's designation was (A) for Atomic. If the "devices" didn't work? Upon arrival, the 509th was to become one heavy bombardment group amongst the 20th U.S. Army Air Force, and their designation would change to (H) for heavy. They would begin softening up the Japanese home islands for Operation Downfall, the Invasion of Japan.

It was my grandfather's flight that came up with the technique to release the "device" without being destroyed or suffering damage from the initial nuclear blast radius when coming off the IP.

After a few days, they were told: "We just dropped the first 'device', we're going to drop the second in a couple of days... they can't hold on for much longer...". They were ordered back to Kirtland Army Airfield, New Mexico, and their flights were broken up and sent off to other commands.

My grandfather remained in the U.S. Army Air Forces until 1946, when he was honorably discharged from the service.

I'd like to share a few images with y'all. Feel free to make a post. I don't mind. I'm just happy to share his unique and largely forgotten story with the U.S. 509th Composited Group with y'all.
❞

Thank you for sharing his story with us, Jim, and our gratitude for your grandfather's service.

05/21/2026

Keeping history flying means knowing when to slow down and do things right.

Diamond Lil is currently undergoing additional maintenance and fuel tank resealing before joining the summer tour schedule. While we know many were looking forward to seeing her on the road, our priority is ensuring she is completely ready before she leaves home base.

While we don’t have an exact timeline to share just yet, the goal is still to have Diamond Lil back on the road and flying this summer.

We’re proud of the work happening behind the scenes every day to preserve these aircraft for the long haul. Here’s a look at a recent B-24 gear swing test from the maintenance team.

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5661 Mariner Drive
Dallas, TX
75237

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+19729774245

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