While working down-range on Fort Carson, last Wednesday, I heard what I initially thought was one of the many C-130's that frequent our area. But strangely, something sounded a bit different. Looking up and into the distance toward the Colorado Springs Airport, KCOS, I was amazed to see the profile of what appeared to be a B-29 Super Fortress, banking over on the last leg of it's approach circuit. But.. but.. there's only one still flying in existence.. could it be? ..am I seeing things? ..I had not heard anything on the local news about any fly-ins. So when I got home, I immediately did an online search, and sure enough, the Commemorative Air Force was flying "Fifi" down to the Springs for a visit! So the Missus and I, hopped into the car and made tracks for the airport, and got these shots...









Some additional surprise visitors (yes, that's a B-24 flying overhead in the pic above)...







^ Beechcraft C-45 with B-24 "Diamond Lil" in the background. Also, some shots of "Diamond Lil" taxiing after a "fun ride". Tickets were 499 usd, but considering the cost to keep these birds in the air, it's quite understandable. A ride on "Fifi" was 599 usd, although I'm sure her fuel consumption is considerably more.









^ This was supposed to be a "one chance only" straight-on profile shot of take-off, complete with motion-blurred background. Lesson learned; Never buy a camera that features the power button next to the shutter button. Yes, I pressed the wrong button; and by the time the camera powered back up, this was all I could capture. Good thing I was not using a flash, or I could have blinded the poor fellow in the foreground.

Cheers mates! Hope you enjoyed the pics

Cool stuff! I'm sooo glad they changed the name back to "Diamond Lil".

With the cancellation of the Prairie Air Show this year, the only warbirds we've gotten to see are ones passing through on their way to somewhere else. A couple weeks ago, the B-25 "Maid in the Shade" was here in Peoria and flew around a bit. Unfortunately, I had to go to work and wasn't able to go to the airport to see her.

very cool, thx for the pics

Nice Rudi, Saturday I was having lunch downtown Toronto, with my sister, when the Lancaster flew over.
A wonderful noise, and yet as my sister said, " funny no one is looking up, they have no idea of the historical importance, or what this aircraft did,or is"
Anyway great photo's.
Regards Alan

Yeah very cool pictures.
Ty!

I'm jelous!

You sure are lucky!

Great shots Rudi.

Thanks for your comments everyone

btw; if anyone has a chance to see Fifi, be sure to check out the bomb bays. If you look closely at the photo, you'll see a bunch of feet milling about, just below the bay doors. The crew allowed everyone to climb a ladder to access the navigator compartment and the cockpit, then go down the ladder next to the nose gear. Unfortunately, I did not get any pictures, but the bomb bay is actually furnished with a complete compliment of 500 lb inert bombs, complete with fuses. There is also a large pipe about 3 feet in diameter, that runs along the spine of the fuselage above the bomb bays, to allow crew members to crawl and access each end of the aircraft in a pressurized environment. The tube is furnished with an olive drab canvas pad, or mattress, along the length of the crawl-way.

ATB! ~ Rudi

Great shots Rudi, you are one very fortunate man. I'm glad you went back to get the shots. Thank you for sharing.