Pyote AAF and postwar B-17 storage

[aerovin]

I just added a post at aerovintage.com about the postwar storage of B-17s at Pyote AAF (otherwise known as the Rattlesnake Bomber Base) in west Texas. About 75 or so unused B-17s were stored there in the postwar years and they became the source of many of the DB-17s and QB-17s in the 1950-1959 period. I am continuing to look for photos of B-17s in storage at Pyote...they are very few and far between if they are even out there.

https://www.aerovintage.com/2024/01/26/rattlesnakes-and-idled-bombers-post-war-pyote-army-air-field-and-its-b-17s/

[junkman9096]

I may have imagined it but I recall a story that Pyote remained an Air Force base until the local congressman died in office. Once his blessing/influence went away they closed it up very quickly. Could be one of those stories.