Aero Vintage recently provided exciting updates on several examples of the historic World War II bomber. You can read and reproduce the article adapted for our website with permission. For those who follow the history and restoration of the Boeing B-17 Flying Fortress, the Erickson Aircraft Collection in Madras, Oregon, is home to three examples of this iconic World War II bomber. Here’s the latest update on these aircraft, including restoration efforts and future plans.
B-17G 44-85718 – Formerly “Thunderbird”
Owned by Scott Glover’s Mid-America Flight Museum in Mt. Pleasant, Texas, B-17G 44-85718 (N900RW) has been undergoing extensive inspection and repair at Erickson since early 2021. A critical aspect of this restoration involves replacing the spar tubes on both inner wing panels to ensure the aircraft’s structural integrity for years to come.
New spar tubes, sourced from a vendor in the United Kingdom, have been installed after the painstaking disassembly of the spar structure. The intricate process of riveting everything back together is nearly complete. Once finished, the spar assemblies will be reinstalled into the inner wing panels, marking a significant milestone in the project. While no exact timeline has been provided, reassembling the aircraft and addressing additional restoration needs will take several more years. Upon completion, the aircraft will be repainted in a new scheme and fly under the name We the People.
B-17G 44-85829 – Formerly “Yankee Lady”
Several smaller components, including turrets and other structural elements, have already been shipped, while the remaining parts await transport this spring. Meanwhile, the aircraft’s engines will be rebuilt by a U.S.-based restoration shop. Erickson Aircraft Collection specialists will inspect and repair the inboard wing sections—a process set to begin in earnest once work on 44-85718’s wings is complete. This is another long-term restoration project, but the outcome will be a meticulously restored B-17, ready for many years of flight.
B-17G 44-8543 – “Ye Olde Pub”
Unlike the other two, B-17G 44-8543 (N3701G), known as Ye Olde Pub, remains airworthy under the care of the Erickson Aircraft Collection. Following the completion of its annual inspection, the aircraft is ready for the upcoming airshow season. Currently, Ye Olde Pub is one of only three airworthy B-17s in the world, alongside Sentimental Journey (44-83514, N9323Z) operated by the Commemorative Air Force in Mesa, Arizona, and Sally B (44-85784, G-BEDF) based in Duxford, UK. A preliminary airshow schedule for Ye Olde Pub is available on the Erickson Aircraft Collection’s website.
As for the rest of the airworthy B-17s, there are still only three flying examples worldwide: the CAF’s Sentimental Journey (N9323Z), Ye Olde Pub (N3701G), and Sally B (G-BEDF) in the UK at Duxford. We remain hopeful that MARC’s B-17G, The Movie Memphis Belle (N3703G), will return to the skies soon following an extended maintenance period at the Palm Springs Air Museum. Looking ahead to 2025, this remains the most optimistic outlook for operational B-17s, as other restoration projects are still far from completion. Keep an eye on updates from the CAF and Erickson for opportunities to see a flying B-17 this summer—such chances are becoming increasingly rare.
