List of surviving Boeing B-17 Flying Fortresses
Main article: B-17 Flying Fortress.
When the B-17 Production lines closed down in late 1945 a total of 12,731 aircraft were produced by Boeing, Douglas & Lockheed While a vast majority of these aircraft were lost in both combat operations as well as training accidents, the remaining combat veterans and early production models were stored and later scrapped in the vast scrap drives of the late 1940s.
A vast percentage of the remaining aircraft that survive today came from the last batches of aircraft produced by both Douglas and Lockheed. These aircraft had found use in the 1950s and early 1960s as either as Drone Director aircraft with the USAF, as U.S. Navy / U.S. Coast Guard early warning, rescue or weather aircraft (known by the naval aircraft designations PB-1W or PB-1G), or overseas as photo mapping aircraft with French National Geographic Institute. After retirement from active service, these aircraft took up a second career during the early to late 1960s to the late 1980s as aerial sprayer or water tanker aircraft. During the late 1970s when the warbird movement began, these survivors were eagerly anticipated and as each came on the civilian market many were restored to original combat configuration.
With the availability of intact, existing airframes beginning to diminished, the warbird movement starting in the late 1990s and continuing to the present has been seeking out previously considered unrecoverable airframes for restoration.
Altogether 58 B-17’s have survived and, as of January 2007, 12 airframes currently in flying condition. There is at least another dozen airframes from various wrecks which could result in future restorations (including 2 known wartime B-17D wrecks).
Individual Histories
Altogether 44 B-17 have survived and, as of January 2007, 14 airframes currently in flying condition. Examples include:[1]
- Aluminum Overcast (44-85740) — The Experimental Aircraft Association's B-17G that tours the U.S. offering flight experiences.[2]
- Liberty Belle (44-85734) — The Liberty Foundation’s B-17G[3]
- The Memphis Belle, B-17F-10BO, 41-24485, which flew 25 missions over Europe before touring the United States to advertise war bonds, is arguably the most famous B-17 to survive.[4] Forgotten in the post-war rush to disarm, the "Belle" was rescued off a salvage yard at Altus, Oklahoma in 1946 by an alert Memphis citizen who convinced the city fathers to reclaim the bomber before it was scrapped. The "Belle" was displayed at several locations in Memphis from 1948 to 2003, and was then transported to Wright-Patterson Air Force Base in October 2005 for restoration and eventual display at the National Museum of the United States Air Force. The restoration is expected to take eight to ten years.[5]
- Picadilly Lilly II (44-83684) — The last active B-17 in the United States Air Force, retired in 1959 after nine years as a DB-17P drone director. Acquired by Edward G. Maloney for his infant air museum, first at Claremont, California, then at Ontario Airport, California through 1969. Primary aircraft for Twelve O' Clock High television series, 1964-1966 as Picadilly Lily (one "l"). Now at the museum Planes of Fame, Chino, California.[6]
- The Pink Lady (44-8846) — Flew 6 missions in April 1945 for the 511th Bomber Squadron of the 351st Bomber Group. Purchased by the French National Geographic Institute for survey work. Restored in 1984, it flew in the US film Memphis Belle as Mother and Country.[7]
- Return to Glory, formally Starduster II (44-6393) — The B-17G was delivered to the 97th Bomb Group of the 15th Air Force August 1944, was modified to a VB-17 and assigned to General Ira C. Eaker until he retired. Sold to Bolivia, it flew cargo until reacquired by the USAF Museum. It has been restored to its wartime appearance at the March Field Air Museum, March Air Reserve Base, Riverside, California.[8]
- Sally B (44-85784) — Housed at the Imperial War Museum Duxford, England.[9]
- Sentimental Journey (44-83514) — Housed at the museum at Falcon Field, Arizona by the Commemorative Air Force.[6]
- Thunderbird (44-85718) — Housed at the Lone Star Flight Museum, Galveston, Texas.[6]
- Wicked Wanda/Gremlin's Hideout/now unnamed (44-83863) — B-17G-95-DL/PB-1W BuNo 77231/firebomber, Tanker 18/71/D1, N5233V, now on display at Air Force Armament Museum, Eglin Air Force Base, Florida.[10]
- Yankee Lady (44-85829) - Housed at the Yankee Air Museum, Belleville, Michigan by the Yankee Air Force
- DB-17P (44-83624) (a converted B-17G that did not see combat), at the Air Mobility Command Museum at Dover Air Force Base (without its top turret, which it gave up for the restoration of Shoo Shoo Baby on display in the National Museum of the United States Air Force, Wright-Patterson AFB, Ohio). Shoo-Shoo Baby replaced 44-83624 as the Air Force Museum's long-time Fortress exhibit.
B-17 Survivors
Each line describes one remaining complete or partial airframe. Each line is broken down into several sections:
| Aircraft number | History | Markings | Holder | Location | Condition |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| B-17G-35BO 42-32076 (F-BGSH) |
ex 8th / 401st BS / 91th BG ex Danish AF 672 ex Institut Geographique National |
Shoo Shoo Baby | USAFM | Dayton, Ohio | (D) |
- Aircraft Number describes the type of aircraft and model B-17G-35BO its s/n 42-32076
and registration (F-BGSH). - History tells the military history (oldest to newest): ex 8th / 401st BS / 91th BG
then Danish AF 672 then ex Institut Geographique National. - Markings deals with current markings, codes first then name: Shoo Shoo Baby
- Holder is currrent owner or museum: USAFM
- Location deals with either location where it might be seen or owners address: Dayton, Ohio
- Condition:
- (D) = Display
- (F) = Flyable
- (S) = Stored
- (R) = Under restoration
- (W) = Wreck
B-17D BO Boeing-Seattle
- B-17D-BO 40-3097, ex 19th BG Ole Betsy, ex Personnel transport of Gen. George Brett, “ The Swoose “, NASM, Dulles Airport, Virginia (D)
B-17E BO Boeing-Seattle
- B-17E-BO 41-2446, ex 7th BG / 22th BS, " Swamp Goast ", David Tallichet, Lae, Papua New Guinea (S)
- B-17E-BO 41-2595, ex 97th BG / 383 BG, ex XC-108A, " Desert Rat ", Mike Kellner, Galt, Illinois (R)
- B-17E-BO 41-9032, ex 8th AF / 97nd BG, “ My Gal Sal “, Ultimate Sacrifice Memorial, Cincinnatti, Ohio (R)
- B-17E-BO 41-9090 (N3142U), ex 8th AF / 97nd BG, " Sooner " , Ultimate Sacrifice Memorial, Narsawak, Greenland (W)
- B-17E-BO 41-9210 (N12355), Flying Heritage, Museum, Bellevue, Washington (R)
- B-17E-BO 41-9234, ex Fortress IIA FL461, ex 5th AF / 43rd BG / 65th BS, " Grey Ghost ", Wau, Papua New Guinea (W)
B-17F BO Boeing-Seattle
- B-17F-10BO 41-24485, ex 8th AF / 91st BG / 322nd BS, “ DF A / Memphis Belle “, USAF Museum, Dayton, Ohio (R)
- B-17F-20BO 41-24521, ex 5th AF / 43rd BG / 63rd BS, “ Black Jack “,Milne Bay, Papua New Guinea (W)
- B-17F-70BO 42-29782 (N17W), ex-TB-17F, “ Boeing Bee “ , Museum of Flight, Renton, Washington (D)
- B-17F-115BO 42-30681 (S)
B-17F DL Douglas-Long Beach
- B-17F-15DL 42-3008, ex 8th AF, Poeskallavik, Sweden (W)
- B-17F-50DL 42-3374, ex-TB-17F, “ 230230 / L / Homesick Angel “, Offutt AFB, Nebraska (D)
B-17G BO Boeing-Seattle
- B-17G-BO 42-31044, ex 15th AF / 97th BG, Calvi, Corsica (W)
- B-17G-35BO 42-32076, ex 8th AF / 401st BS / 91th BG, ex Danish AF 672, ex Institut Geographique National (F-BGSH), “ Shoo Shoo Baby “ , USAFM, Dayton, Ohio (D)
- B-17G-90BO 43-38635 (N3702G), ex Tanker, “ A N / Virgin s Delight “, Castle AFB, California (D)
B-17G VE Lockheed-Vega
- B-17G-35VE 42-97854 (N9094V), ex 8th AF / 390th BG, Aeronautical Archaeological Research, Auburn, California (W)
- B-17G-70VE 44-8543 (N3701G), ex TB-17G, ex ETB-17G, ex JTB-17G, “ Chuckie “ , Vintage Flying Machines, Ft. Worth, Texas (F)
- B-17G-85VE 44-8846 (F-AZDX), ex 15th AF / 351st BG / 511th BS - 6 combat missions, ex Institut Geographique National, “ The Pink Lady “ , Saint-Yan, France (F)
- B-17G-85VE 44-8889 , ex Institut Geographique National (F-BGSO), Musee de l Air, Le Bourget, France (D)
- B-17G-95VE 44-85583 , ex Brazilian AF (5402), Base Aerea de Recife, Brazil (D)
- B-17G-100VE 44-85599 , ex EDB-17G, ex DB-17G, ex DB-17P, “ 338133 / Reluctant Dragon “ , Dyess AFB, Abileme, Texas (D)
- B-17G-105VE 44-85718 (N900RW), ex Institut Geographique National (F-BEEC), “ 238050 / BN U / Thunderbird “ , Lone Star Aviation Museum, Galveston, Texas (F)
- B-17G-105VE 44-85734 (N390TH), ex Pratt & Whitney turboprop test aircraft, “ 231636 / OR / Outhouse Mouse “, Flying Tigers Warbird Restoration Museum, Kissimee, Florida (R)
- B-17G-105VE 44-85738 , ex DB-17G, ex EDB-17G, “ K / Preston s Pride “ , AMVETS, Tulare, California (D)
- B-17G-105VE 44-85740 (N5017N), “ 2102516 / FU D / Aluminum Overcast “, EAA Museum, Oshkosh, Wisconsin (F)
- B-17G-105VE 44-85778 , ex TB-17G, ex VB-17G, “ Miss Angela “ , Pond Wirdbirds, Palm Springs, California (F)
- B-17G-105VE 44-85784 (G-BEDF), ex EB-17G, ex ETB-17G, ex Institut Geographique National (F-BGSR), “ 124485 / Sally B “ , B-17 Preservation Ltd, Duxford, England (F)
- B-17G-105VE 44-85790, Art Lacey, Oregon City, Oregon (D)
- B-17G-110VE 44-85813, ex EB-17G, ex JB-17G, ex Curtis-Wright turboprop test aircraft, Tom Reilly, Douglas, Georgia (R)
- B-17G-110VE 44-85821, ex PB-1G Bu 77247, British Columbia, Canada (S)
- B-17G-110VE 44-85828 (N9233R), ex PB-1G Bu 77254, “ 231892 / I ll Be Around “ , Pima Air & Space Museum, Tucson, Arizona (D)
- B-17G-110VE 44-85829 (N3193G), ex PB-1G Bu 77255, ex tanker C34 / 34, “ GD Y / Yankee Lady “, Yankee Air Force, Ypsilanti, Michigan (F)
B-17G DL Douglas-Long Beach
- B-17G-50DL 44-6393, ex 15th AF, ex CB-17G, ex VB-17G, “ 2nd Patches “, March AFB, California (D)
- B-17G-75DL 44-83316, Ocotillo Wells, California (S)
- B-17G-75DL 44-83387, MGM Twelve O'Clock High, (Nose section only)California (S)
- B-17G-80DL 44-83462, (D)
- B-17G-85DL 44-83512, ex TB-17G, “ H T / Heaven Above “ , USAF History and Traditions Museum, Lackland AFB, TX (D)
- B-17G-85DL 44-83514 (N9323Z), ex RB-17G, ex DB-17G, ex DB-17P, “ F / Sentimental Journey “, CAF Southern Wing, Mesa, Arizona (F)
- B-17G-85DL 44-83525(N83525), ex DB-17G, Weeks Air Museum, Kissimmee, Florida (R)
- B-17G-85DL 44-83542 (N9324Z), ex tanker 18, “ Picadilly Princess “, Fantasy of Flight, Polk, Florida (D)
- B-17G-85DL 44-83546 (N3703G), ex CB-17, ex VB-17G, “ Memphis Belle “ , David Tallichet, Chino, California (F)
- B-17G-85DL 44-83559, ex DB-17G, ex DB-17P, “ 23474 / EP B / King Bee “ , SAC Museum, Offutt AFB, Nebraska (D)
- B-17G-85DL 44-83563 (N9563Z), ex CB-17G, ex VB-17G, “ 297400 / K T / Fuddy Duddy “, American Airpower Museum, Farmingdale, Long Island, NY (F)
- B-17G-85DL 44-83575 (N93012), ex TB-17H, ex SB-17G, “ 231909 / OR R / Nine-O-Nine “, Collins Foundation, Stowe, VT (F)
- B-17G-90DL 44-83624, ex MB-17G, ex DB-17G, ex DB-17P, " 2107112 / VE O / Sleepy Time Gal ", Dover AFB, Dover, Delaware (D)
- B-17G-90DL 44-83663, ex TB-17G, Ex Brazilian AF (5400), “ Short Brier “, Hill AFB, Ogden, Utah (D)
- B-17G-90DL 44-83684 (N3713G), ex DB-17G, ex DB-17P, “ Picadilly Lilly “ , Planes of Fame Museum, Chino, California (R)
- B-17G-95DL 44-83690, ex DB-17G, ex DB-17P, Grisssom AFB, Indiana (D)
- B-17G-95DL 44-83718, ex Brazilian AF (5408), Museu Aerospacial, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil (S)
- B-17G-95DL 44-83722, Fantasy of Flight, Polk City, Florida (S)
- B-17G-95DL 44-83735,ex Institut Geographique National (F-BDRS), “ 231983 / IY G / Mary Alice “, Imperial War Museum, Duxford, England (D)
- B-17G-95DL 44-83785 (N207EV), ex TB-17, ex SB-17, ex CIA, Air Venture Museum, McMinnville, Oregon (D)
- B-17G-95DL 44-83790, ex 8th AFBrooks Aviation, Douglas, Georgia (R)
- B-17G-95DL 44-83814 (N66571), ex tanker A18, 18, C13 & 09, NASM, Dulles Airport, Virginia (S)
- B-17G-95DL 44-83863 (N5233V), ex PB-1W Bu 77231, ex tanker F71, D1, 18, Air Force Armament Museum, Eglin AFB, Florida (D)
- B-17G-95DL 44-83868 (N5237V), ex PB-1W Bu 77233 XD-2, ex tanker E15, F15, 65, " N ", USAAF Memorial, London, England (D)
- B-17G-95DL 44-83872 (N7227C), ex PB-1W Bu 77235, “ Texas Raiders “, CAF, Texas (R)
- B-17G-95DL 44-83884 (N5230V), ex PB-1W Bu 77244 XD-10, ex tanker C19, E19 & 19, “ Yankee Doodle II “ , Barksdale AFB, Lousianna (D)
References
- ^ "B-17:The History". www.b17flyingfortress.de.
{{cite web}}: Unknown parameter|accessmonthday=ignored (help); Unknown parameter|accessyear=ignored (|access-date=suggested) (help) - ^ "The B-17 Aluminum Overcast". b17.org.
{{cite web}}: Unknown parameter|accessdaymonth=ignored (help); Unknown parameter|accessyear=ignored (|access-date=suggested) (help) - ^ "Liberty Belle's history". Libertyfoundation.org. 2007.
{{cite web}}: Unknown parameter|accessmonthday=ignored (help); Unknown parameter|accessyear=ignored (|access-date=suggested) (help) - ^ "Memphisbelle.com". www.memphisbelle.com.
{{cite web}}: Unknown parameter|accessmonthday=ignored (help); Unknown parameter|accessyear=ignored (|access-date=suggested) (help) - ^ "FAQ Memphis Belle". www.nationalmuseum.af.mil.
{{cite web}}: Unknown parameter|accessmonthday=ignored (help); Unknown parameter|accessyear=ignored (|access-date=suggested) (help) - ^ a b c B-17s: Where to find them. Aero Vintage Books. Retrieved 15 January.
{{cite book}}: Check date values in:|accessdate=(help); Unknown parameter|accessyear=ignored (|access-date=suggested) (help) - ^ Ryan (2006). "A Concise History of the Pink Lady". www.thepinklady.fr.
{{cite web}}: Unknown parameter|accessmonthday=ignored (help); Unknown parameter|accessyear=ignored (|access-date=suggested) (help); Unknown parameter|month=ignored (help) - ^ "Boeing B-17G Flying Fortress". www.marchfield.org.
{{cite web}}: Unknown parameter|accessdaymonth=ignored (help); Unknown parameter|accessyear=ignored (|access-date=suggested) (help) - ^ "Sally B:The History". sallyb.dcgservices.com/.
{{cite web}}: Unknown parameter|accessdaymonth=ignored (help); Unknown parameter|accessyear=ignored (|access-date=suggested) (help) - ^ "Air Force Armaments Museum". www.destin-ation.com.
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