Two rare World War II-era bombers visited the Tulsa Air and Space Museum in late October.
The Commemorative Air Force flew FIFI, a B-29 Superfortress, and Diamond Lil, a B-24 Liberator, to Tulsa as part of its AirPower History Tour, as KTUL reported Sunday, Oct. 25. Three additional aircraft joined them: a T-6 trainer, a Beech C-45 and a Stearman biplane, according to News On 6.
The aircraft are rare. FIFI is one of only two flying B-29s worldwide. The Commemorative Air Force describes Diamond Lil as the world’s only flying B-24 Liberator.
"They're very rare planes and even rarer to have them sitting this close to each other," Jonna Whetsel, a left scanner aboard FIFI, told KTUL.
Whetsel's own path into aviation started with a trip to Tulsa to photograph FIFI. After talking with volunteers, she learned she could attend ground school and train as a crew member. She now monitors the aircraft in flight and communicates with the pilot.
Jeremy Lashbrook, a volunteer pilot with the Commemorative Air Force, said he saw young people working on pilot certificates at the event. The organization operates vintage military aircraft, often called warbirds, with a mission to educate the public and honor veterans.
Lashbrook said the group hopes to encourage young people to pursue careers as pilots and aviation mechanics while keeping historic aircraft flying.
Ramp access tickets for the tour were $20 for visitors 14 and older, $10 for ages 5 to 13 and free for children 4 and under, according to News On 6. Those tickets also covered admission to the museum and planetarium. Rides aboard all five aircraft were available for separate purchase.
Visitors can find information about future AirPower History Tour stops at airpowersquadron.org.
