World War II B-29 Superfortress Lands In OKC

News 9 was on board the old war bird, "Fifi," the world's only airworthy B-29 Superfortress on Tuesday. It's in Oklahoma City and you can see it too.

Tuesday, October 2nd 2012, 7:22 pm

By: News 9


News 9 was on board the old war bird, "Fifi," the world's only airworthy B-29 Superfortress on Tuesday. It's in Oklahoma City and you can see it too.

Our cameras captured the view from the seat of a World War II crew member, specifically a bombardier. A view shared with World War Air Force crew members in 1945, when the U.S. dropped atomic bombs on Japan.

The B-29 is most well-known for two missions that occurred in August 1945, the missions flown over Hiroshima and Nagasaki that lead to the end of World War II.

"It was an airplane that helped end World War II," Commemorative Air Force Pilot, Bill Goeken said.

When Commemorive Airforce pilot has been flying Fifi for 15 years, when he's up in the air he can't help but think about America's Greatest Generation.

"Even more so when you get to meet a lot of the world war 11 veterans that have come out and looked at the airplanes and heard their actual stories," Goeken said.

The chance to hear those stories is diminishing as World War II veterans are dying every day.

The commemorative air force takes this heavy duty bomber across the nation, and offers flights for a fee.

"I've taken a lot of ww2 veterans up in the airplane and it brings back some emotional times," Goeken said. "I have seen many guys just start breaking into tears looking at the airplane hearing it start up."

When we landed from the 40 minute flight from Tulsa to Wiley Post Airport, a large crowd had already gathered to come and see. That's when we met Jim Fowler.

Jim Fowler served in the Korean War, but he recognized this familiar engine and choked up remembering those men who fought and died before him.

"This country will never be able to repay that debt and I hope the people will never forget it," Korean War Air Force Veteran, Jim Fowler said. "Too many people growing up today, don't even know what the hell happened."

Fowler and the crew hope younger generations learn to appreciate a view of our nation's history too.

Anyone can pay $10 to get right up next to the historic aircraft. It will be in Oklahoma City at Wiley Post Airport for the next six days. It's $20 if you want to bring the whole family.

Going up on a flight is more expensive. B-29 Gunner's Compartment Seat costs $595. Bombardier's seat costs $1,495 at the event.

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