AeroVintage’s B-17 Restoration Updates From Madras

Scott Thompson of Aero Vintage Books provides the latest updates on three B-17s at the Erickson Aircraft Collection. While Thunderbird and Yankee Lady undergo extensive restorations, Ye Olde Pub remains airworthy and ready for the airshow season.

Moreno Aguiari
Moreno Aguiari
44-85829, Formerly “Yankee Lady” wrapped up and ready for shipping to Avspecs Ltd., New Zealand. Photo by Warren Denholm via Simon Brown
Platinum B 729

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.

Three B 17G Flying Fortresses outside enjoying the sun today at The Warbird Shop in Madras Oregon. Thunderbird Ye Ole Pub and Yankee Lady . All three were sold by Platinum Fighter Sales
Three B-17G Flying Fortresses outside enjoying the sun at The Warbird Shop in Madras, Oregon. “Thunderbird”, “Ye’ Ole Pub” and “Yankee Lady”. All three were sold by Platinum Fighter Sales. Photo by David Reed via Platinum Fighter Sales.
By Scott Thompson of Aero Vintage

B-17G 44-85718 – Formerly “Thunderbird”

b 17 Mid america air museum David Reed Via Platinum Fighter Sales
Partially disassembled “Thunderbird” soon to be “We the People” at the Erickson Aircraft Collection. (Photo by David Reed Via Platinum Fighter Sales)

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.

Thunderbird Ground Crew 1
42-38050 and its ground crew in April 1945. Image via Wikipedia

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”

B 17G Yankee Lady 44 85829
Here is another Short B-17 Update From Aero Vintage Books. In the picture, B-17G Yankee Lady 44-85829. Photo via Aero Vintage Books
B-17G 44-85829 (N3193G) was acquired by Charles Somers of Sacramento in early 2024 from the Yankee Air Museum. The aircraft was subsequently transported to Madras for disassembly, with the major airframe components scheduled to be shipped to Avspecs Ltd. in Auckland, New Zealand, for a full restoration.
B 17 Yankee Lady disassembled
44-85829, Formerly “Yankee Lady” wrapped up and ready for shipping to Avspecs Ltd., New Zealand. Photo by Warren Denholm via Simon Brown

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”

RWW Ye Olde Pub 05
[Photo by Randy Malmstrom]

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.

RWW Ye Olde Pub 03
[Photo by Randy Malmstrom]

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.

TG Photography Sentimental Journey 1
CAF Arizona Airbase B-17G “Sentimental Journey” flying low over the Arizona desert. (Image by Tony Granata).
Scott Thompson Aero Vintage Books Many thanks indeed to Scott A. Thompson for allowing us to reproduce this article… his book, Final Cut: The Post-War B-17 Flying Fortress and Survivors as well as other titles are the gold standard when it comes to the airframe history it describes! Final Cut The Post War B 17 Flying Fortress and Survivors
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Born in Milan, Italy, Moreno moved to the U.S. in 1999 to pursue a career as a commercial pilot. His aviation passion began early, inspired by his uncle, an F-104 Starfighter Crew Chief, and his father, a military traffic controller. Childhood adventures included camping outside military bases and watching planes at Aeroporto Linate. In 1999, he relocated to Atlanta, Georgia, to obtain his commercial pilot license, a move that became permanent. With 24 years in the U.S., he now flies full-time for a Part 91 business aviation company in Atlanta. He is actively involved with the Commemorative Air Force, the D-Day Squadron, and other aviation organizations. He enjoys life with his supportive wife and three wonderful children.
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