B-17 in TV commercial ID?

[Steve Nelson]

OK, this is a silly question, but it's been bugging the heck out of me. There's currently a commercial running on TV for USAA insurance, with various shots of veterans (I can't find the particular spot on YouTube or I'd post a link.) One clip is a wide shot of a WWII vet standing in front of a B-17, and I can't figure out which one. It's a G-model, OD over Gray, with yellow prop hubs and red blast tubes on the chin turret guns, parked in front of a yellow hangar. The only one I can find in the registry that's close is 44-83663 "Short Beir" at the Hill AFB museum, but if it's that one, the nose art was either painted over or digitally removed for the commercial.

Any ideas?

SN

[wingsandrotorspilot]

March Field Air Museum

[Steve Nelson]

Thanks..it appears that's the one! Most of the pics I found online show her in her old "Return to Glory" markings, but a bit more investigation shows she was recently repainted. I found one pic of her in her new scheme, and she's definitely the one in the commercial.

Sorry for the bother..it's like when you get a snippet of music stuck your head but can't figure out what song it came from!


SN

[bipe215]

Is this the only surviving B-17 in 15th AF markings?

Steve G

[SaxMan]

I saw that commercial and was wondering the same thing. Glad you asked the question!

[bdk]

Always start by looking closest to Hollywood! My Stearman was in a Taco Bell commercial some years back.

[The Inspector]

Who owns the beautiful Lockheed C-60 in the pseudo 'Casablanca' airport scene commercial? It's one good lookin' bird.

[Steve Nelson]

This is the only pic I've been able to find of the March Field B-17 in her current colors (from the Museum's website.) It's labeled as August, 2012. It doesn't look like she carries any unit markings..I don't know if the museum plans to add the 15th AF markings in the future or not. I found a WIX post from Mustangdriver last year in which he states she'll be painted as "starduster," the markings she carried while serving as Ira Eaker's personal aircraft.

SN

[gary1954]

[/quote]

Isn't that a beautiful airframe