Ex USAAF 44-83563. One of three B-17s which passed through Gatwick en-route to Bovingdon for the filming of the movie The War Lover. Once at Bovingdon all three were painted in the USAAF camouflage of the 324th Bomb Squadron of the 91st Bomb Group, N9563Z wearing the serial 41-27742/DF-T. After filming she returned to the US to join Aviation Specialties of Mesa as a fire tanker and in 1969 was involved in the film Tora Tora Tora. Sold to the National Warplane Museum at Geneseo NY. in 1985 flying as '297400' 'Fuddy Duddy' and current with the Lyon Air Museum in Santa Ana CA. at time of upload.

Actual serial is 44-85828.

Built as B-17G and delivered to the US Army Air Force in July 1945 as 44-85828. To the US Coast Guard as PB-1G 77254 in September 1946. To NAS Elizabeth City in October 1959, assigned for disposal. To several owners as N9323R after March 1960. Converted for aerial spraying (July 1962) and airtanker (1963-1980). Transferred to the Pima Air Museum in December 1980 for display, initially in authentic markings as 44-85828. In early 1986 it was painted in these fake markings as 231892 / DI-H.

Operated by Aircraft Specialties

Operated by Fast-Way Air Service. N3702G remained in use as an air tanker with different operators until 1979. Acquired by the USAF Museum at Castle AFB, California, where it was restored back to a production B-17G. Photo from: Civil Aviation Historical Society, Melbourne, Australia

Later restored to wartime B-17G configuration and operated as warbird "Yankee Lady" by the Yankee Air Museum

Restored to military configuration, now at Lyon Air Museum, California

Later to the Pima Air and Space Museum displayed as 42-31892. It had actually been 44-85828 is USAAF service.

N5230V converted back to a B-17 for static display at Barksdale AFB, Louisiana.

Tanker '65' of TBM Inc., previous identity 44-83868.

Tanker '68' of TBM Inc., previous identity 44-83546.

Looking superb in Evergreen's full colours, this is a Douglas-built B-17 with an interesting history. Flew as a CB-17G then VB-17G and became N809Z, used by the CIA with Skyhook Surface to Air Recovery System gear fitted in the nose for Project Coldfeet. This involved the dropping and air retrieval of agents with Soviet ant-submarine warfare intelligence from a polar ice station abandoned by the Russians in 5.63. After fire bomber service, restored to original military identity as per my 1988 photo