Commemorative Air Force displays airworthy B-29 in Oklahoma

The Commemorative Air Force is displaying four historic aircraft at Wiley Post Airport in Oklahoma City. The event, called the Air Power Tour, runs through Labor Day weekend in 2026.

Visitors can see and hear the planes, some of which are eight decades old, in operational condition. The aircraft are maintained by volunteers and are capable of flight, offering a different experience from static museum displays. "It's one thing to see these in a museum or static display, but it's a whole 'nother feeling to hear the engines start up and the smell, that smoke," said B-29/B-24 squadron unit leader Burney Baskett, according to local news station KFOR.

The Aircraft on Display

The tour's centerpiece is a Boeing B-29 Superfortress bomber named 'Fifi'. It is one of only two airworthy B-29s remaining in the world. The other three aircraft on site were not individually named in the source report.

Baskett described the B-29 as a technological marvel for its era. "You go from a biplane to five years later, we're flying a pressurized, fully enclosed, computerized bomber," he said. The aircraft's original engines have been refurbished and are maintained with what Baskett called "a lot of tender, love and care" and many volunteer man-hours.

Mission of Education and Inspiration

The Commemorative Air Force states its mission is to honor, educate, and inspire. The organization aims to honor the people who built and flew the aircraft, educate the public about their historical significance, and inspire new generations of aviation professionals.

Baskett connected the aircraft to broader historical impacts. He cited the influence of World War II on modern politics, the nation, and America's industrial rise in the 20th century. Army veteran Robert Bach, who attended the event with his wife Laura, emphasized the value of seeing the history firsthand. "You need to come out and go through it," he said.

Public Access and Details

The aircraft are available for public viewing and, in some cases, for paid flight experiences. A KFOR crew observed one of the aircraft taxiing and taking off with paying passengers on the Wednesday before Labor Day.

Laura Bach noted the rarity of such opportunities. "It's fun to go and see this stuff, you know, cause, you know, there's not much left," she said. Specific details regarding ticket prices for ground tours, flight costs, and the exact schedule were not provided in the source. The report directs interested individuals to the event organizer's website for further information.