CAF Bombers at Deer Valley
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Three World War II bombers flown by the Commemorative Air Force arrived at Deer Valley Airport on Tuesday, April 12. The public had the opportunity to buy rides aboard North American B-25J Mitchell Maid in the Shade N125AZ, Boeing B-17G Flying Fortress Sentimental Journey N9323Z, and Boeing B-29 Superfortress Fifi N529B. These pictures were taken on Wednesday, April 13.
See the locations where I photographed the Commemorative Air Force Bombers at Deer Valley Airport on April 13, 2011 in Google Earth.
North American B-25J Mitchell Maid in the Shade N125AZ flew for the Army Air Corps as 43-35972. It was stored at Davis Monthan Air Force Base, Arizona in 1959. National Metals Company of Phoenix, Arizona registered it as N9552Z in January 1960 and sold it to Dothan Aviation of Dothan, Alabama in September 1960. It was fitted with an agricultural tank and spray bars in December 1960. John L. Stokes and Cen-Tex Aviation of San Marcos, Texas acquired it in August 1975 and sold it to Henry W. Fisher, Donald W. Ericson. and Robert E. Thompson of Bloomington, Mississippi in August 1979. It was bought by the Confederate Air Force of Harlingen, Texas in October 1981 and registered as N125AZ on September 6, 1991. It has been assigned to the Arizona Wing of the CAF at Mesa, Arizona in December 1999. It flies as 43-35972 Maid in the Shade.
Boeing B-17G Flying Fortress N9323Z Sentimental Journey carries its original Army Air Force serial number, 44-83514. Its construction number is 32155. It was retired from the Air Force at Davis-Monthan Air Force Base on January 27,1959. Acme Aircraft Parts of Compton, California registered it as N9323Z on July 31, 1959. Western Air Industries of Anderson, California acquired it in November 1960 and converted it to a fire tanker. It flew as tanker #E17. Aero Union Corp of Chico, California bought it on June 6, 1962 and flew it first as tanker #C17 and then as tanker #17. It was restored to stock military configuration as USAAF 44-83514 Class of 44 in 1977 by the Confederate Air Force. Soon after it was renamed Sentimental Journey. It is currently registered to the American Airpower Heritage Flying Museum of Midland, Texas. It is operated by the Arizona Wing of the Coommemorative Air Force.
Boeing B-29 Superfortress Fifi N529B was delivered to the US Army Air Force as 44-62070. Its construction number is 11547. Following retirement in 1958 it was placed on the bombing range at China Lake Naval Air Weapons Station. The Confederate Air Force acquired it on March 23, 1971 and registered it as N4249. It was flown to CAF headquarters at Harlingen, Texas on August 3, 1971. It was reigstered N529B in August 1981.
North American B-25J Mitchell Maid in the Shade N125AZ, Boeing B-17G Flying Fortress Sentimental Journey N9323Z, and Boeing B-29 Superfortress Fifi N529B
Boeing B-29 Superfortress Fifi N529B.
Boeing B-29 Superfortress Fifi N529B.
Boeing B-29 Superfortress Fifi N529B.
Starting up the number three engine of Boeing B-29 Superfortress Fifi N529B.
Starting up the number two engine of Boeing B-29 Superfortress Fifi N529B.
Running up the inboard engines of Boeing B-29 Superfortress Fifi N529B.
You can buy prints up to 11" by 16" or 5" x 7" greeting cards of this photograph.
Boeing B-29 Superfortress Fifi N529B.
You can buy prints up to 11" by 16" or 5" x 7" greeting cards of this photograph.
Boeing B-29 Superfortress Fifi N529B taxis out for a revenue flight on Wednesday morning.
Boeing B-29 Superfortress Fifi N529B.
Boeing B-29 Superfortress Fifi N529B.
Boeing B-29 Superfortress Fifi N529B.
Boeing B-29 Superfortress Fifi N529B lifts off of Runway 25 Left.
Boeing B-29 Superfortress Fifi N529B.
Boeing B-29 Superfortress Fifi N529B.
You can buy prints up to 11" by 16" or 5" x 7" greeting cards of this photograph.
Boeing B-29 Superfortress Fifi N529B.
Boeing B-29 Superfortress Fifi N529B on approach to land on Runway 25 Left.
You can buy prints up to 11" by 16" or 5" x 7" greeting cards of this photograph.
Boeing B-29 Superfortress Fifi N529B.
You can buy prints up to 11" by 16" or 5" x 7" greeting cards of this photograph.
Boeing B-29 Superfortress Fifi N529B.
Boeing B-29 Superfortress Fifi N529B.
Deer Valley is the busiest geneeral aviation airport in the United States. It is a popular destination for barnstorming warbirds.
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