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.

In 1998, the museum at Elmira was called the National Warplane Museum. The rights to that name was taken over by the current museum at Geneseo, NY in 2010. The collection is now known as the Wings of Eagles Discovery Center. "Fuddy Duddy", ex 44-83563, Douglas built, painted as USAAF 297400/E/K. It was a VB-17G and fire tanker before restoration.

7 Apr '45: TOS USAAF with s/n 44-83563 at Hunter Army Air Field, GA, then delivered to Patterson Field, OH. 5/45: Delivered to Philippines. Converted to CB-17G. Ca.6/45: Converted to VB-17G. 7/45: Used by Gen Jimmy Doolittle at Kadena, Okinawa. Also carried Gen. Dwight D. Eisenhower. 1952: Returned to the USA for overhaul and then to 6000th Base Service Group, Japan. 1955: Stored at Davis-Monthan AFB, AZ. With civilian fire-bomber owners it flew in two movies: "The War Lover" and"Tora, Tora, Tora". 1985: National Warplane Museum.

7 Apr '1945: TOS USAAF with s/n 44-83563 at Hunter Army Air Field, GA, then delivered to Patterson Field, OH. 5/1945: Delivered to Philippines. Converted to CB-17G. Ca.6/1945: Converted to VB-17G. 7/1945: Used by Gen Jimmy Doolittle at Kadena, Okinawa. Also carried Gen. Dwight D. Eisenhower. 1952: Returned to the USA for overhaul and then to 6000th Base Service Group, Japan. 1955: Stored at Davis-Monthan AFB, AZ. With civilian fire-bomber owners it flew in two movies: "The War Lover" and"Tora, Tora, Tora". 1985: National Warplane Museum.

7 Apr '45: TOS USAAF with s/n 44-83563 at Hunter Army Air Field, GA, then delivered to Patterson Field, OH. 5/45: Delivered to Philippines. Converted to CB-17G. Ca.6/45: Converted to VB-17G. 7/45: Used by Gen Jimmy Doolittle at Kadena, Okinawa. Also carried Gen. Dwight D. Eisenhower. 1952: Returned to the USA for overhaul and then to 6000th Base Service Group, Japan. 1955: Stored at Davis-Monthan AFB, AZ. With civilian fire-bomber owners it flew in two movies: "The War Lover" and"Tora, Tora, Tora". 1985: National Warplane Museum.

In 1998, the museum at Elmira was called the National Warplane Museum. The rights to that name was taken over by the current museum at Geneseo, NY in 2010. The collection is now known as the Wings of Eagles Discovery Center. "Fuddy Duddy", ex 44-83563, Douglas built, painted as USAAF 297400/E/K. It was a VB-17G and fire tanker before restoration.

One of seven airworthy aircraft on display at the Lyon Air Museum, all of which in immaculate condition and look as if they are brand new. "Fuddy Duddy" carries "44 83563" in small print below the tailplane, which is its actual former USAAF serial. It became N9563Z in Aug 1959, and in 1962 this Douglas-built B-17 featured in the movie "The War Lover" (painted as "127742 / DF-T"). A few years later it became an aitanker, and in the late 1980s it entered the warbird circuit, falsely painted as "297400 / K-E" as seen here. William Lyon acquired it for his museum in Jan 2006.

One of seven airworthy aircraft on display at the Lyon Air Museum. All seven are in immaculate condition and look as if they were painted and polished yesterday. Fuddy Duddy carries "44 83563" in small print below the tailplane, which is its actual former USAAF serial. It became N9563Z in Aug 1959, and in 1962 this Douglas-built B-17 featured in the movie "The War Lover" (painted as "127742 / DF-T"). A few years later it became an aitanker, and in the late 1980s it entered the warbird circuit, falsely painted as "297400 / K-E" as seen here. William Lyon acquired it for his museum in Jan 2006.

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

"Fuddy Duddy", ex 44-83563, Douglas built, painted as USAAF 297400/E/K. Was a VB-17G and firetanker before restoration. At the annual WWII airshow sponsored by the Mid Atlantic Air Museum.

Fuddy Duddy taxiing out with another load of enthusiastic warbird fans.

Starting up No.3 engine with a characteristic puff of smoke.