Commemorative Air Force
AirPower History Tour at TRI
The Commemorative Air Force make a stop at Tri-Cities Airport (TRI) on their nationwide 2021 AirPower History Tour. The CAF brought their Boeing B-29 Superfortress “FIFI”, North American P-51D Mustang “Gunfighter”, North American AT-6 Texan, and Boeing PT-13 biplane on the tour and all aircraft were available for ride flights during their week long stay. Poor weather on the weekend delayed the scheduled ride flights on the B-29 “FIFI” until the weather had passed each day. The other aircraft were kept busy all week giving rides to numerous eager passengers.
26-31May21
May 24th, 2021
Commemorative Air Force AirPower History Tour arrival day at Tri-Cities Airport (TRI)
Boeing B-29 Superfortress "FIFI" Heavy Bomber 24May21
Boeing B-29 Superfortress "FIFI" Heavy Bomber 24May21
North American AT-6 Texan Advance Trainer 24May21
Beechcraft T-34 Mentor Advance Trainer The Mentor did not stay for the CAF's week long residency at TRI. It flew back to the CAF headquarters in Texas. 24May21
CAF's Boeing B-29 Superfortress “FIFI” Arrival & Shutdown
The Commemorative Air Force bring their B-29 Superfortress “FIFI” to Tri-Cities Airport (KTRI) on their 2021 AirPower History Tour. Video includes bonus US Navy P-8A Poseidon Touch-n-Go’s and a Bell 407 Helicopter Departure.
24May21
Boeing PT-13 Stearman Biplane Arrival - Takeoff - Landing - Shutdown
The Commemorative Air Force bring their Boeing PT-13 Stearman to Tri-Cities Airport (KTRI) on the 2021 AirPower History Tour. The Stearman was available for ride flights and several visitors took advantage of the opportunity.
24-25May21
CAF AT-6 Texan Startup - Takeoff - Flyover - Landing at TRI
The Commemorative Air Force bring their North American AT-6 Texan trainer to Tri-Cities Airport (KTRI) on their 2021 AirPower History Tour. The AT-6 Texan was available for ride flights and several visitors took advantage of the opportunity.
25May21
May 26th, 2021
CAF AirPower History Tour at Tri-Cities Airport (TRI)
North American AT-6 Texan returning to TRI after performing a ride flight. 26May21
Boeing PT-13 with storage compartment open. 26May21
North American AT-6 Texan 26May21
North American AT-6 Texan 26May21
North American AT-6 Texan 26May21
May 27th, 2021
CAF AirPower History Tour at Tri-Cities Airport (TRI)
P-51D Mustang "Gunfighter" arrives at Tri-Cities Airport. 27May21
North American P-51D Mustang "Gunfighter" taxis in to park after landing. 27May21
North American AT-6 Texan passing overhead on a ride flight. 27May21
North American AT-6 Texan 27May21
Boeing B-29 Superfortress "FIFI" 27May21
Gentleman climbs into the cockpit of the Boeing PT-13 biplane trainer prior to taking a ride in it. 27May21
Boeing PT-13 biplane trainer. 27May21
North American P-51D Mustang "Gunfighter" takes shelter for the evening. 27May21
CAF P-51D Mustang “Gunfighter” Overhead Break & Landing
The Commemorative Air Force bring their North American P-51D Mustang “Gunfighter” to Tri-Cities Airport (KTRI) on the 2021 AirPower History Tour. The Mustang performed an overhead break on its landing approach and then was taxied back to the hangers for the night.
27May21
CAF Boeing PT-13 Stearman - Ride Flight 01 - Preflight-Takeoff-Overhead Break-Landing
The Commemorative Air Force bring their PT-13 Stearman to Tri-Cities Airport (KTRI) on their 2021 AirPower History Tour. The Stearman was available for ride flights and several visitors took advantage of the opportunity.
27May21
CAF Boeing PT-13 Stearman - Ride Flight 02 - Preflight-Takeoff-Overhead Break-Landing
The Commemorative Air Force bring their PT-13 Stearman to Tri-Cities Airport (KTRI) on their 2021 AirPower History Tour. The Stearman was available for ride flights and several visitors took advantage of the opportunity.
27May21
May 28th, 2021
CAF AirPower History Tour at Tri-Cities Airport (TRI)
Boeing B-29 Superfortress "FIFI" receives fuel as the crew prepares the aircraft for its weekend flights. 28May21
Boeing B-29 Superfortress "FIFI" 28May21
North American P-51D Mustang "Gunfighter" with cockpit buttoned up to protect it from the random rain showers. 28May21
North American P-51D Mustang "Gunfighter". Note the crewman on the wing of "FIFI" in the background. 28May21
North American P-51D Mustang "Gunfighter" 28May21
North American P-51D Mustang "Gunfighter" 28May21
North American P-51D Mustang "Gunfighter" 28May21
Boeing PT-13 Stearman biplane trainer 28May21
Boeing PT-13 Stearman biplane trainer 28May21
May 29th, 2021
CAF AirPower History Tour at Tri-Cities Airport (TRI)
Boeing PT-13 Stearman Biplane Trainer 29May21
Boeing PT-13 Stearman Biplane Trainer 29May21
Gentleman being strapped into his parachute prior to taking a ride in the CAF's P-51D Mustang "Gunfighter". 29May21
P-51D Mustang "Gunfighter" takes shelter from the rain under an open hanger. 29May21
CAF Boeing B-29 Superfortress "FIFI" Ride Experience at AirPower History Tour at TRI
The Commemorative Air Force’s Boeing B-29 Superfortress “FIFI” takes passengers on a ride flight experience during the 2021 AirPower History Tour stop at Tri-Cities Airport (KTRI).
29May21
CAF P-51D Mustang "Gunfighter" Ride Flight Experience at AirPower History Tour Stop
A lucky gentleman paid to take a ride flight experience in the Commemorative Air Force’s P-51D Mustang “Gunfighter” on a Saturday afternoon during the 2021 AirPower History Tour stop at Tri-Cities Airport (KTRI) in Blountville, TN.
29May21
CAF North American AT-6 Texan Ride Flight at AirPower History Tour at TRI
The Commemorative Air Force’s North American AT-6 Texan trainer takes passengers on a ride flight experience during the 2021 AirPower History Tour stop at Tri-Cities Airport (KTRI).
29May21
CAF PT-13 Stearman Biplane Ride Flight Experience on AirPower History Tour at TRI
The Commemorative Air Force’s PT-13 Stearman biplane takes a passenger on a ride flight experience during the AirPower History Tour stop at Tri-Cities Airport (KTRI).
29May21
May 30th, 2021
CAF AirPower History Tour at Tri-Cities Airport (TRI)
Sunset over the CAF's B-29 Superfortress "FIF" and P-51D Mustang "Gunfighter". 30May21
"FIFI" and "Gunfighter" done for the day. 30May21
Exhaust stacks on the Mustang make perfect tennis ball holders! 30May21
"FIFI" 30May21
267 30May21
P-51D Mustang "Gunfighter" banks hard in the overcast skies. 30May21
North American AT-6 Texan cruises through overcast skies. 30May21
North American AT-6 Texan turns to join the landing pattern at Tri-Cities Airport. 30May21
North American AT-6 Texan 30May21
CAF P-51D Mustang "Gunfighter" Ride Flight Experience at AirPower History Tour at TRI
The Commemorative Air Force’s North American P-51D Mustang “Gunfighter” takes passengers on ride flight experiences during the 2021 AirPower History Tour stop at Tri-Cities Airport (KTRI).
30May21
CAF North American AT-6 Texan Ride Flight at AirPower History Tour at TRI
The Commemorative Air Force’s North American AT-6 Texan trainer takes a passenger on a ride flight experience during the 2021 AirPower History Tour stop at Tri-Cities Airport (KTRI).
30May21
CAF Boeing PT-13 Stearman Biplane Ride Flights at AirPower History Tour at TRI
The Commemorative Air Force’s Boeing PT-13 Stearman biplane is kept busy taking passengers on ride flight experiences during the AirPower History Tour stop at Tri-Cities Airport (KTRI).
30May21
May 31st, 2021
CAF AirPower History Tour at Tri-Cities Airport (TRI)
Early morning fog obscures the horizon and delays the CAF's departure time. 31May21
Crew member cleans the windows on "FIFI" for the flight crew. 31May21
Crew member cleans the windows on "FIFI" for the flight crew. 31May21
"FIFI" crew members prepare the Superfortress for departure. 31May21
Boeing B-29 Superfortress "FIFI" 31May21
North American P-51D Mustang "Gunfighter" 31May21
North American AT-6 Texan 31May21
North American AT-6 Texan 31May21
North American AT-6 Texan 31May21
North American AT-6 Texan 31May21
Crew meeting (socially distanced) prior to departure. 31May21
Boeing B-29 Superfortress "FIFI" 31May21
All four of the engines on "FIFI" are named. 31May21
Boeing B-29 Superfortress "FIFI" 31May21
Skies are clearing and the aircraft are ready to go. 31May21
Mustang crew strapping up as they prepare to depart. "FIFI" crew have pre-flight meeting. 31May21
Mustang crew strapping up as they prepare to depart. "FIFI" crew have pre-flight meeting. 31May21
Boeing B-29 Superfortress "FIFI" warming up the engines prior to departing for its next stop on the CAF's AirPower History Tour. 31May21
CAF AirPower History Tour Warbird Departure Day-B-29 Superfortress, P-51D Mustang, AT-6 Texan, PT-13
Morning fog gave way to blue skies as a flight of four warbirds from the Commemorative Air Force depart Tri-Cities Airport (KTRI) on their way to Baltimore Maryland for the next stop of the 2021 AirPower History Tour. Aircraft departing included B-29 Superfortress "FIFI", P-51D Mustang "Gunfighter", AT-6 Texan, and PT-13 Stearman biplane.
31May21