Converted to a transport by the removal of the turrets as part of the Green Project to expedite the return of troops after the end of the war. It could carry 40 soldiers. Photo from: National Archives at College Park, Maryland

Shot down by a Bf 109G near Schweinfurt, Germany, on October 14, 1943. In this photo the aircraft above is casting its shadow over 42-29803. The photo was taken during a mission but over which country it was at the time is not recorded. Photo from: National Archives at College Park, Maryland

Displaying her 'Roll of Honour' patch

Escort version of the B-17F with extra guns. The flaw in the idea was the heavy YB-40s could not keep up the bombers once relieved of their bomb loads. The 21 pre-production YB-40s were withdrawn after only 14 missions. 42-5736, at one time called Tampa Tornado, was flown back to the US for scrapping. Photo from: National Archives at College Park, Maryland

Flying near Tampa. Given date March 1942 and the farthest aircraft, 41-2575, served at MacDill Field from 14 February 1942 until 20 April when it crashed. 41-2540 crashed in Texas in 1943 on a war bond tour, masquerading as Suzy Q although it never saw combat. Photo by: Frank Scherschel / Life

QB-17 drones were used to sample clouds from nuclear explosions. Seen here ground crew are removing filters from the aircraft during the Operation Sandstone tests. The fate of the B-17 is not known. Photo from: National Archives at College Park, Maryland

photographer unknown

The RCAF acquired several war-weary B-17s for use as trans-Atlantic mail planes. Despite being described as dilapidated when delivered and suffering several accidents including a midair collision between Prestwick and Gibraltar, 9205 continued in service until December 1946. It was sold in Argentina as LV-RTP and finally scrapped in 1964. Photo from: Library and Archives Canada

Ex N68629, USAAF 44-83735. Previously operated by the Institut Geographique Nationale from Criel near Paris. Displayed in false marks as 231983 'Mary Alice'.

Ex ZS-DXM, F-BGSP, 44-8846. Withdrawn on 27 August 1979 and stored in airworthy condition at Creil, taking part in a flypast over the Champs Elysee for the 14 July 1984 Bastille Day parade. Became F-AZDX in 1985, and named 'Lucky Lady' (later 'Pink Lady'). Grounded in 2010 as no longer airworthy, and preserved at Cerny-La Ferte Alais near Paris.

Ex 44-85643. Destroyed on 25 July 1989 in the fire caused by a crash immediately after take-off at Binbrook, during the re-make of the 'Memphis Belle' movie.

Ex ZS-DXM, F-BGSP, 44-8846. Withdrawn on 27 August 1979 and stored in airworthy condition at Creil, taking part in a flypast over the Champs Elysee for the 14 July 1984 Bastille Day parade. Became F-AZDX in 1985, and named 'Lucky Lady' (later 'Pink Lady'). Grounded in 2010 as no longer airworthy, and preserved at Cerny-La Ferte Alais near Paris.

C/n 8246 ex ZS-DXM, F-BGSP, 44-8846. Withdrawn on 27 August 1979 and stored in airworthy condition at Creil, taking part in a flypast over the Champs Elysee for the 14 July 1984 Bastille Day parade. Became F-AZDX in 1985, and named 'Lucky Lady' (later 'Pink Lady'). Grounded in 2010 as no longer airworthy, and preserved at Cerny-La Ferte Alais near Paris. Photographer Ian Joslin.

16 Jul '45: TOS USAAF as B-17G. June/46: NAF Mustin Field, PA. Converted to PB-1G. 6 Dec '46: TOS USCG. Served several stations, including ice patrol. 11 May '59: Ace Smelting Inc, Phoenix, AZ with c/r N3193G. November/59: Fairchild Aerial Surveys, Los Angeles, CA. Modified for use in photographic/magnetometer surveys. 10/65: Biegert Bros, Shickley, NE; used as agricultural sprayer. 19 Mar '66: Aircraft Specialties Inc, Mesa, AZ. January/68: Converted as fire tanker. January/69: Flew to Hawaii for use in the movie Tora, Tora, Tora. July/86: Yankee Air Force, Willow Run, MI. 1986 to by 1995: Restored.