What it takes to keep a B-29 flying...

Here's an interesting article about what it takes to keep FiFi flying.

Hint: $10,000 and 400 gallons per hour!

http://www.tested.com …m_campaign=zerg​net_874378

A similar article on the P-51

http://www.tested.com …own-and-fly-p-51-mustang/

interesting, would be neat to compare the price of maintenance & fuel when it was built, to the current day prices...

It wouldn't really be comparable, as these warbirds are 'priceless' now, with all components regularly overhauled or sourced regardless of cost.

When manufactured, these aircraft weren't expected to fly more than 1000 hours, with their engines only expected to last 100 hours or so, before being junked, and in a lot of war zones it was easier to replace an aircraft than repair it.

The economical fuel/ power settings they now fly around at would've been tactical suicide in a war zone. Also most warbirds have their turbos or super chargers removed now; the point being their wartime fuel consumption would've been much higher.

Just as further trivia, some of Mustangs and Spitfires now worth $2 million plus were sold brand new at the end of the war here in Australia as surplus for £15 and £5 respectively, mainly to farmers who wanted the engines.

( I was speechless when I was told this by an old RAAF pilot from WWII.)

Cool article I sent the link to my dad who flew on a B-29 as a gunner in the Korean war.
Thanks
John

JM45ACP wrote in post #18015630
Cool article I sent the link to my dad who flew on a B-29 as a gunner in the Korean war.
Thanks
John

You're welcome!

Perfectly Frank wrote in post #18014274
Here's an interesting article about what it takes to keep FiFi flying.

Hint: $10,000 and 400 gallons per hour!

http://www.tested.com …m_campaign=zerg​net_874378

Sounds about similar to the cost of a new bass boat.