An advantage to living in Kalamazoo MI was that I didn't have to travel much to see some incredible vintage aircraft; they more or less come to me.  The Commemorative Air Force's Ghost Squadron, based in Midland Texas, visited Kalamazoo during July of 2004.  They arrived with Fifi, the only B-29 still flying in the world and Diamond 'Lil', a rare airworthy B-24 Liberator.

July 25, 2004:  Every summer, the CAF's B-24 (left) and B-29 (right) tour the country.  This year, the pair spent a week in Kalamazoo outside of the Air Zoo.  This shot was a lucky one; ATC vectored me and Dave over the museum right after takeoff in order to avoid a commercial jet on approach to the airport.  As seen here, the B-29 Superfortress clearly dwarfs the Air Zoo's F-4 Phantom.

July 24, 2004:  A head-on shot of the CAF's B-24, Diamond 'Lil'.  This particular Liberator was used as a VIP transport during WWII and, as such, did not carry much armament.  Despite that, there was still a sizable gun pointed out the nose of the aircraft making this the "business end".

July 24, 2004:  Diamond 'Lil' is one of only two or three airworthy B-24s in the world.

July 24, 2004:  Entering the aircraft was like stepping back in time, though the illusion was quickly broken when I recognized the post-WWII transponder (behind the prop controls) and audio panel (center of frame) as the same ones in my Piper Warrior...  The blank gray panel beneath the throttle quadrant was originally a bright yellow sign reading "Do Not Touch".  I appreciate the sentiment, but it ruined the shot and Paint Shop had to come to the rescue.

July 24, 2004:  As seen under gloomy skies, the size of the B-29 is staggering.  Fifi is the only B-29 still flying in the world.

July 24, 2004:  Underneath the distinctive nose of the B-29.  Even before I became interested in airplanes, I was intrigued by the look of the B-29.  For many years, it was one of the only piston-driven aircraft that I could recognize on sight.

July 24, 2004:  This shot was taken from behind the co-pilot's chair in Fifi.  As I stared out the front, I realized that the B-29 must have inspired the look of everyone's favorite Corellian freighter.