By Scott Thompson of Aero Vintage
As part of Vintage Aviation News’ ongoing effort to highlight aircraft preservation and restoration projects around the world, we are pleased to share this update provided by Scott Thompson of Aero Vintage. Thompson reports on the latest developments involving several Boeing B-17 Flying Fortress projects currently underway at The Warbird Shop in Madras, Oregon. The Warbird Shop serves as the maintenance and restoration division of the Erickson Aircraft Collection and has become an increasingly important center for heavy warbird structural work. At present, elements of three B-17 Flying Fortresses are located at the facility. Erickson’s own B-17G, serial number 44-8543 (N3701G), remains airworthy and is being prepared for the upcoming airshow season. Meanwhile, extensive structural work continues on B-17G 44-85718 (N900RW), owned by the Mid America Flight Museum in Mount Pleasant, Texas. In addition, the inner wing panels from B-17G 44-85829 (N3193G), owned by Charles Somers, are now at Madras awaiting inspection and evaluation. Additional B-17 wing restoration projects may also be undertaken at the facility in the future.
B-17G 44-85718: Major Structural Work Progresses
B-17G 44-85718, previously known as Thunderbird during its years with the Lone Star Flight Museum, arrived in Madras in late 2020 after being purchased by Scott Glover for the Mid America Flight Museum. Initial inspections revealed significant structural concerns in the wing spar assemblies, prompting a comprehensive disassembly of the aircraft to address the issues. Over the past several years, technicians at The Warbird Shop have undertaken one of the most ambitious B-17 structural repair efforts attempted to date. The project included the removal and replacement of the aft spar tubes in both inner wing panels, along with a rebuild of the complex wing-to-fuselage attachment structure. These components form a critical part of the B-17’s wing structure and are essential for the aircraft’s long-term airworthiness.
According to recently released images from the Mid America Flight Museum, the rebuilt inner wing panels were removed from custom-built assembly fixtures last fall and are now undergoing test fitting to the fuselage. This step allows technicians to verify precise alignment and complete the drilling and reaming required for the numerous attachment bolts that secure the wings to the fuselage. Given the tight tolerances required for the B-17’s wing attachment structure, the successful alignment of the rebuilt components marked a significant milestone. The replacement of major spar components on a B-17 wing has rarely been attempted, making this project a noteworthy achievement in the field of warbird restoration. Work has also progressed on the fuselage. Earlier repairs addressed corrosion in the aft fuselage, including reskinning sections of the structure. Current work is focused on the forward fuselage, where the upper decking over the cockpit and bomb bay has been removed to allow structural inspection and corrosion control.
The aircraft also retains several unique features from its postwar civilian career, including aerial survey windows installed during its time in commercial service. According to representatives at The Warbird Shop, these modifications will remain as part of the aircraft’s configuration when restoration is complete, reflecting an important chapter in the airplane’s operational history. No completion timeline has been announced for the project. When the aircraft returns to flight, however, it is expected to carry the name We The People, as previously announced by the Mid America Flight Museum.
B-17G 44-85829: Wing Inspection Underway
Another B-17 project connected to Madras involves B-17G 44-85829, widely known for its years flying as Yankee Lady with the Yankee Air Museum. The aircraft was purchased in 2024 by Charles Somers of Sacramento. Most of the airframe, excluding the engines and inner wing panels, was shipped to AvSpecs in New Zealand last year for restoration work. The inner wing panels, however, remained in the United States and were transported to The Warbird Shop for detailed inspection. With the completion of the spar replacement work on B-17G 44-85718, the custom wing fixtures at Madras are now being used to examine the wing panels from 44-85829. Technicians will conduct a comprehensive structural assessment, including inspection of the spar tubes and associated fittings.
The results of this inspection will determine the extent of repairs required to ensure the wings meet airworthiness standards. Once the evaluation and any necessary repairs are complete, the wings will eventually be reunited with the remainder of the aircraft during the later stages of the restoration project in New Zealand. The availability of replacement spar tubes will play a key role in determining the scope of the work. At present, four spare spar tubes remain available for use if required.
The Broader Challenge of B-17 Wing Spars
The issue of wing spar integrity has become one of the most significant structural challenges facing operators and restorers of the surviving B-17 fleet. Each inner wing panel of the aircraft contains four spar tubes—upper and lower, forward and aft—which form the primary structural backbone of the wing. Corrosion, particularly near the inboard ends where attachment fittings are mounted, has increasingly become a concern as the aircraft age. Addressing these issues requires complex structural work and specialized manufacturing capabilities. Evidence of this growing challenge recently appeared in a statement by Experimental Aircraft Association CEO Jack Pelton in the February 2026 issue of Sport Aviation magazine. Pelton noted that the EAA’s B-17G Aluminum Overcast (44-85740, N5017N), grounded since 2021 following structural inspections, will require new spar components as part of its eventual return to flight.
Pelton explained that the EAA and other B-17 operators are planning a coordinated effort to manufacture new spar tubes. According to sources familiar with the project, the components will be produced by a specialized European manufacturer currently identified as the only company capable of producing the complex extrusions required. Representatives at The Warbird Shop have confirmed that the EAA is expected to be part of this upcoming production order. As restoration and preservation efforts continue, facilities such as The Warbird Shop are playing an increasingly important role in maintaining the airworthiness of the world’s remaining Flying Fortresses. With multiple projects underway and more potentially on the horizon, Madras is likely to remain a focal point for B-17 structural restoration for years to come.
