B-17 Combat Survivors??

[SterlingM]

I messaged the the National Museum of the USAF earlier this week about ACTUAL combat surviving B-17 FFs. Got a reply, but only about four "known only to them." Here it is:

"Thank you for contacting the National Museum of the United States Air Force. The NMUSAF and the Air Force History & Museums program retain sixteen Boeing B-17 Flying Fortresses among the national historical collection. Four of these aircraft, identified below, have significant combat provenance.

These aircraft include:

BOEING B-17G, 42-32076, SHOO SHOO SHOO BABY
COMBAT ETO: 91ST BG (MAR 1944-MAY 1944); DAMAGED BY FLAK, INTERNED IN SWEDEN (29 MAY 1944)
ON DISPLAY AT NMUSAF, DAYTON, OH

BOEING B-17F, 41-24485, MEMPHIS BELLE
COMBAT ETO: 91ST BG (OCT 1942-JUN 1943); RETURNED TO US FOR WAR BOND TOUR
UNDER RESTORATION AT NMUSAF, DAYTON, OH

BOEING B-17D, 40-3097, SWOOSE
COMBAT PTO: 19TH BG (MAY 1941-NOV 1944); VIP TRANSPORT FOR GEN GEORGE BRETT "SWOOSE"
IN STORAGE AT NMUSAF, DAYTON, OH

BOEING B-17G, s/n 44-6393, STARDUSTER
COMBAT MTO: 97TH BG (AUG 1944-JUN 1945); VIP TRANSPORT FOR GEN IRA EAKER "STARDUSTER" (1948)
ON DISPLAY AT MARCH FIELD AIR MUSEUM, RIVERSIDE, CA)

Unfortunately, NMUSAF does not track the history of other B-17s which are privately owned, and not part of the museum's collection."



Anybody know of any others?

[tulsaboy]

Swamp Ghost is, Pacific Theatre. Pink Lady in France is, European Theatre. I think one of the ones sitting static in Texas went to the 15th Air Force and was assigned to a combat unit there as well, can't remember which one. There is one still sitting out in PNG, the "Black Cat Pass" example that has combat history, obviously. Several underwater wrecks that exist in substantial form, including one in the Adriatic off the coast of Vis island.
kevin

[Chris Brame]

I think one of the ones sitting static in Texas went to the 15th Air Force and was assigned to a combat unit there as well, can't remember which one.

I think you mean 44-83512 at Lackland; however, quoting Scott Thompson's Final Cut:

It has been suggested that this Fortress on display at Lackland had an actual combat record with the Eighth Air Force. As can be seen, the aircraft was not even built until hostilities in Europe had nearly ended, and did not emerge from the modification center at Tulsa for an additional seven weeks.

[Jerry O'Neill]

The B-17 in Tulare, CA should be a "combat" vet. It has suffered so many slings and arrows...and a truck hit that it could qualify!

[Joe Scheil]

Evergreen Museum's B-17G was in Cold War "combat" over China, being one of five B-17's flown during many (1950-1954?) nocturnal missions over the mainland.
Three were shot down on operations by Mig-15 or 17s I believe out of the original 5. While it is not a WWII history, the Evergreen 17 is a very
historic aircraft.

[hang the expense]

The B-17 in Tulare, CA should be a "combat" vet. It has suffered so many slings and arrows...and a truck hit that it could qualify!

Years ago there was talk that the Tulare bird had 3 missions with the 390BG.I cant remember if anyone ever figured out if this was true or not.Anybody know?

[Chris Brame]

The B-17 in Tulare, CA should be a "combat" vet. It has suffered so many slings and arrows...and a truck hit that it could qualify!

Years ago there was talk that the Tulare bird had 3 missions with the 390BG.I cant remember if anyone ever figured out if this was true or not.Anybody know?

According to the record card notes in the first edition of Final Cut, it was accepted into service May 17, 1945 and sent to the Louisville mod center on May 20, then to storage at Syracuse on June 25, so it doesn't look like it.

[hang the expense]

Thank you Chris.happy new year.

[tulsaboy]

Thanks for the clarification!

[Dan Jones]

Not to hijack this thread, but does anyone have an update on the Liberty Foundation's 44-83790?

[SterlingM]

Not to hijack this thread, but does anyone have an update on the Liberty Foundation's 44-83790?

Nope, not yet at least. I COULD be extremely behind and haven't gotten enough information (knowing me), but the last I saw on it was the seats getting refurbished and padding around the dorsal turret, for the riders I'd assume.

[Dan Jones]

Not to hijack this thread, but does anyone have an update on the Liberty Foundation's 44-83790?

Nope, not yet at least. I COULD be extremely behind and haven't gotten enough information (knowing me), but the last I saw on it was the seats getting refurbished and padding around the dorsal turret, for the riders I'd assume.

No, I mean the one they fished out of a river in Canada a few years ago after spending some sixty years underwater.

[DH82EH]

Hey Dan.

I don't know if you have seen this thread from over on Aero Vintages site.

http://www.aerovintage.com/forum/viewto ... f=1&t=1460

The most recent pics are a couple of years old, but, you can see some of the amazing progress on 83790.

Andy

[Dan Jones]

Thanks Andy. She's looking great!