Recent Pictures Of B-17 "Boeing Bee"

APG85 · **Posted:** Fri Jun 09, 2006 6:18 pm

Some pictures courtesy of WW2John.......
His guide for the B-17 tour was Hank Hendricksen – 30 combat mission B17 8AF Pilot – 7 missions as lead plane.

Tigercat · **Joined:** Mon Jun 20, 2005 11:54 am **Posts:** 288

Nice!!!!

Is B-17 airworthy? Sorry if this subject has already been discussed.

Aircraft Mech Paul · **Posted:** Fri Jun 09, 2006 7:22 pm

Hi,

I've heard that Boeing Bee is airworthy, but due to it's ownership (Boeing I believe) she isn't flown much if at all, but kept in an airworthy condition. It would be nice to see her at an airshow though

Paul

bdk · **Joined:** Sun May 02, 2004 1:16 am **Posts:** 11324

My guess is one final flight to Boeing Field for display when they have room in the mausoleum. After they ditched the 307, I can well understand Boeing's opposition to flying any more than absolutely necessary. That litle error really tripped the spend-o-meter.

ww2John · **Posted:** Fri Jun 09, 2006 7:58 pm

The B17-F Boeing Bee was restored to, and is maintained in, "airworthy" condition.

It is owned by the Seattle Museum of Flight & is stored just down the road from the museum in a Boeing building on Boeing property (and is not available for public viewing) pending the construction of new display space adjacent to (or connected to?) the museum.

There are currently no plans by the museum to fly the aircraft again.

Jack Cook · **Posted:** Fri Jun 09, 2006 9:14 pm

"Boeing Bee" was donated to the MOF by Robert Richardson (or his estate I guess) with the provision that it never be flown.

mike furline · **Joined:** Wed May 05, 2004 3:45 pm **Posts:** 2635

Nothing like having a great Airworthy restoration not being able to fly or for public viewing.

I wish more planes were like that! LOL! What a shame.

Regards,
Mike

bluethunder28 · **Joined:** Fri Jan 27, 2006 2:26 am **Posts:** 199

mike furline wrote:

Nothing like having a great Airworthy restoration not being able to fly or for public viewing.

I wish more planes were like that! LOL! What a shame.

Regards,
Mike

Shoo Shoo Shoo Baby is another B-17 that had a airworthy restoration and only flew to the USAFM

Dover did it and wanted her but the AF gave Dover another B-17. Even in 2000 people at Dover are still ticked.

APG85 · **Posted:** Sat Jun 10, 2006 12:12 pm

Shoo Shoo Baby was obtained by the Air Force Museum and "contracted" to Dover for restoration and eventual display in Dayton. The deal was, once complete, it would be flown to the USAF Museum and Dover would recieve the B-17G that was on display at the USAFM. Bottom line, Dover does a B-17 restoration and in turn gets a B-17 of their own. At least, thats how it was explained to me (and, if I'm not mistaken, the USAFM owns the Dover collection). Correct me if I'm wrong........

Pat Carry · **Posted:** Sat Jun 10, 2006 1:41 pm

Nice! I hope the MOF puts it on public display someday.

oshosh84 · **Joined:** Thu May 11, 2006 10:01 pm **Posts:** 90

Quote:

Shoo Shoo Shoo Baby is another B-17 that had a airworthy restoration and only flew to the USAFM Sad Sad Sad Dover did it and wanted her but the AF gave Dover another B-17. Even in 2000 people at Dover are still ticked.

Now that USAFM has the Belle, they should sell or trade Shoo Shoo Baby.

I can only complain about government owned museums, we are tax payers after all

APG85 · **Posted:** Sat Jun 10, 2006 2:11 pm

I believe the plan is to display them both - together. The Memphis Belle won't be display ready for at least 8 - 10 years.........

bluethunder28 · **Joined:** Fri Jan 27, 2006 2:26 am **Posts:** 199

APG85 wrote:

Shoo Shoo Baby was obtained by the Air Force Museum and "contracted" to Dover for restoration and eventual display in Dayton. The deal was, once complete, it would be flown to the USAF Museum and Dover would recieve the B-17G that was on display at the USAFM. Bottom line, Dover does a B-17 restoration and in turn gets a B-17 of their own. At least, thats how it was explained to me (and, if I'm not mistaken, the USAFM owns the Dover collection). Correct me if I'm wrong........

The people at Dover had a different story. Dover wanted a flyable plane but the history of "Shoo" out weighted what Dover wanted. The plane that Dover got wasn't air worthly. Dover did an excellent job on Sleeping Time Gal.

systemofadown1162 · **Posted:** Sat Jun 10, 2006 7:24 pm

Nice looking. Was it just recently restoreed?

Shay · **Posted:** Sat Jun 10, 2006 8:58 pm

APG85 wrote:

(and, if I'm not mistaken, the USAFM owns the Dover collection)

The NMUSAF has domain over all USAF installation museums and their aircraft. Including Dover's.
As well as some aircraft loaned out. The Yankee AFM's A-7 is now here in Dayton and I noticed today that the wings were loaded on to a flatbed truck so it looks like she might be taking a road trip to another museum.

Shay
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