FIFI B-29 Prepares for Takeoff at KCID Cedar Rapids Iowa

Fifi the B-29 World War II bomber made a four day stop in Cedar Rapids, Iowa this weekend. These three photos are from this morning during the plane's last full day here. Yesterday the weather was fantastic and many people turned out to see the aircraft and other WWII era fighters.

By going black and white and jacking the contrast I produced this old time looking image of the plane. With some sand and tropical trees this could very well be some runway in the South Pacific during 1945.

Fifi's late morning trip around the Cedar Rapids area ended with another successful landing at KCID. Airport Park area on the east side of the property is an excellent place to see and hear planes of all sorts come and go. Its just not everyday when a historic aircraft like the B-29 comes to town.

KCID to ORD on American Eagle

Today was humid, hot and windy. Cedar Rapids conditions remained pleasant for most of the afternoon. This American Eagle flight to Chicago was delayed at Cedar Rapids due to a developing front moving through the Chicagoland area.

Once cleared, the American Eagle took off to the west and turned to the northeast. With a strong tail wind this flight reached O'Hare airport in just 35 minutes. Conditions at O'Hare later developed into a 100 minute delay for departures as the front grew in intensity. Summer is just two weeks away but storm delay season in the upper Midwest is already here.

Sunset on CID

Another beautiful sunset over the control tower and hangers at the Eastern Iowa Airport (CID,KCID) near Cedar Rapids, Iowa.

Aluminum Overcast Visits Cedar Rapids During 2014 D-Day + 70 Years - Part 3

Me in front of the Aluminum Overcast yesterday at the Eastern Iowa airport in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. 

People gathered to see the warbird. A trailer housed the merchandising portion of the ground support group. 

Nose section of the B-17. That's the Norton bombsite in the front. Shhh, its still a secret.

US markings on the left fuselage of the Aluminum Overcast B-17.

Aluminum Overcast Visits Cedar Rapids During D-Day + 70 Years - Part 1

One of perhaps 13 flying B-17s left in the world is Aluminum Overcast, a B-17G Flying Fortress from the WWII era.

Today, June 7th is D-Day +70 Years and one day, was also day two of the B-17 visit to Cedar Rapids, Iowa. Aluminum Overcast last visited our post on the prairie in 2010. There are many area vets, relatives and interested people who came for a look at a piece of aviation history.

A local EAA volunteer takes photos of the plane for her collection. She also offered to photograph visitors using their camera and helped people get safely around the aircraft.The B-17's pilot and his copilot can be seen on the far right.

Filled with 10 paying passengers, Aluminum Overcast needs only a short distance to take off and land. The aircraft flies around the Cedar Rapids area for about 30 minutes. During this visit I have seen and heard it flying slowly around town at relatively low altitudes on four different occasions. Last year Fifi the only flying B-29 provided the same type of visit.

This is Aluminum Overcast's tail gunner. The dummy sports goggles, mask and a helmet from the WWII era. His scarf is stitched with the name of Lee. The historic aircraft will be here through tomorrow (Sunday, June 8th). Go to the former PS Air terminal on the west side of the airport by FEDEX operations. The ground walk around of the plane is free. Cost to go inside is $10 and $449 person to fly in WWII bomber comfort for 30 minutes. Call ahead of time, I believe one of the support crew told me only a few seats remain for Sunday series of flights.

Taking Off with Allegiant Air at KCID

Mid-evening is a busy time for the Eastern Iowa Airport (KCID) in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. A few nights ago the airport was the scene of activity with commercial, government and private aircraft. An Allegiant Airlines jet makes its way eastbound on the taxi runway for a westbound takeoff. Close behind is an arriving United Airlines Express jet taxiing to the terminal.

As the Allegiant aircraft makes two quick right turns near the end of the runway, sunshine floods the plane's silhouette, showing Allegiant's colorful branding scheme.

It's nose up and wheels locked as another Allegiant flight goes direct to a sunny destination with no hub transfer.

Groundhog Day At Cedar Rapids (CID) Airport

Punxsutawney has its Phil to comment on the coming of Spring. At the Cedar Rapids airport (CID) the tarmac is graced with aircraft from other parts of the globe. On February 2 (Groundhog Day) a Boeing 737-81Q from Miami International Airlines was present for chartered passengers. Through the power of the internet you can see where this commercial plane travels by going to a link like FlightAware. Its been a week since this scene was recorded. The snow is all but gone having been melted by warmer temperatures and rain. Sounds like Punxsutawney Phil was right about fewer weeks until Spring arrives.