b 17 sentimental journey schedule 2023

• Event Details

Flying Legends of Victory Tour 8/1/2023

Come see the Commemorative Air Force’s (CAF) authentically restored World War II aircraft. Climb into the cockpit of their B-17 and B-25 bombers, available for rides and tours. The B-17 Flying Fortress  Sentimental Journey  and the B-25 Mitchell  Maid in the Shade  will be parked next to the Museum.

A one-of-a-kind collection of the rarest historic military planes in the world will be near you. Come see them up close, and better yet,  fly in one!

NOTE: Weather and other factors beyond the Commemorative Air Force's control may affect availability.

Ground Tours:

Purchase ground tour tickets at CAF gate, no reservation required.

August 1-4, 2023

Tues-Wed: 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM Thurs: 9:00 AM to 9:00 PM Fri: Schedule based on availability during Boeing Seafair Air Show flights.

August 5-6, 2023 Museum admission is required for ground tours during Jet Blast Bash .

Sat-Sun: Schedule based on availability during Boeing Seafair Air Show flights.

August 8-13, 2023

Tues-Wed: 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM Thurs-Sun: 2:00 PM to 6:00 PM

• $30/family (up to four people) 
• $5/person w/ Museum admission (pay at CAF gate and show Museum wristband or proof of online ticket purchase)

Click the button below to book your ride directly with CAF. NOTE: Weather and other factors beyond the Commemorative Air Force's control may affect availability.

August 10-13, 2023

Thurs-Sun: 9:00 AM to 1:00 PM

Book Rides Here

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2024 B-17 Flying Fortress Spring and Summer Tours Announced

The three actively flying b-17s in the u.s. have living history flight experience (lhfe) tours or shows announced..

By Scott Thompson of Aero Vintage.

As the spring and summer flying and airshow season gets underway, it’s nice to see all three of the actively flying B-17s in the U.S. these days have Living History Flight Experience (LHFE) tours or shows announced. The LHFE is an FAA-sanctioned program that allows qualified museums to offer rides in vintage warbirds to the general public as a bit of an exception to the normal operating rules for these old aircraft. The LHFE programs go a long way in keeping these B-17s in the air as a way to offset the cost of just flying these bombers period. With the price of high-octane aviation fuel jumping faster than auto fuel, one wonders how much longer it will be economically viable to keep flying these airplanes. Besides the direct operating costs, such things as maintenance and insurance costs have also skyrocketed. So, if any readers are interested…this might be the year. Do be aware, though, that these are old airplanes…you are not taking a commercial airliner…so weather maintenance and other factors may modify the schedules available below.

The Commemorative Air Force’s (CAF) B-17G Sentimental Journey (44-83514/N9323Z) has announced its Flying Legends of Victory tour dates beginning on April 3 at Chino, California, and extending through August 18 at Akron, Ohio. Most of the dates are in the southeastern and eastern U.S., plus a few Canadian dates. Check out the schedule here . Rides are being sold in the B-17 as well as the CAF’s B-25 and C-47.

The Yankee Air Force’s B-17G, Yankee Lady (44-85829/N3193G) , based at Ypsilanti Airport near Detroit, Michigan, has a schedule posted for the spring and summer months with appearances mostly in Michigan and Ohio. Appearances start on June 8 in Reading, Pennsylvania, and extend through August 11 in Muskegon, Michigan. No doubt more dates will be added. B-17 flights are $550 per person…no aircraft location is specified. Discounts are made of Yankee Air Museum members.

Also actively flying is the Erickson Aircraft Collection B-17G, Ye Olde Pub (44-8543/N3701G) . It has a few appearances scheduled for the summer in which they will be offering rides in the B-17. The first posted dates are June 15-16 at the Olympic (Washington) airshow, with subsequent dates announced at Wenatchee, Washington, on June 21-22. No doubt additional dates will be posted as they are arranged. Thirty-minute flights B-17 flights are $525 per person. Check this page on the Erickson Aircraft Collection website.

The Experimental Aircraft Association’s B-17G, Aluminum Overcast (44-85740/N5017N) , based at Oshkosh, Wisconsin, remains grounded for some long-term maintenance to correct a structural problem found during a routine inspection. We hope to see the airplane return to the skies and tour again in 2025.

Related Articles

Moreno Aguiari

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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29 Comments

Something Older than The B52 that Looks Good & is Still Flying! 👍🤣🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸

My kids bought me a ride on “Liberty Belle” some years back. Very lucky to have had the experience.

Come visit Winnipeg, MB http://www.royalaviationmuseu.com

A friend and I flew in the Aluminum Overcast at Osh Kosh 9 years ago. I’ll never forget it, once in a lifetime experience for me.

The should change the nickname to “Flying Coffin”. These planes belong in museums, not in the sky.

The aircraft design is safe, certified and legal. Recent accidents have been attributed to human error, maintenance failings, or are pending further investigation. There are no outstanding questions over the aircraft type’s safety overall. There are a number of B-17s in static museums, those flying are privately owned and follow the requirements to be able to be operated. We hope that clarifies your misunderstanding.

I would rather take a flight in any one of these B17s than even a short hop on a 737 MAX.

Well said Sir and let’s not forget that we are not flying over the Atlantic followed by Messerschmitts.

My dad’s boss at Westinghouse served as a navigator on a B24 and was shot down over Dresden Germany.The dedication and bravery of those men that served on the B-17 and 24s is amazing. I will honor them until I die.

Well stated. I was a 30 minute drive from Falcon Air Field in Mesa, AZ where B-17 Sentimental Journey was stationed. Visited many times, sent chills up my spine every time. My father was a navigator on B-24’s and then B-17’s; flew 35 missions successfully out of Mendelshom, England. Please keep all of them flying, the pride is immeasurable!!

Larry, there’s something missing in your bloodline. It’s America, anything is possible here and by the way over 40 in museums in the United States alone.

WHAT’S WRONG WITH EXPERIENCING WHAT THE GREATEST GENERATION EXPERIENCED FOR 35 MISSIONS!!!! THE UNKNOWN AND WONDERING IF YOU ARE GOING TO MAKE IT BACK!💥💥💥😱😱😱🤔💭

Do you think that the B-17s during WWII were much safer than the few still flying……at least no one will be trying to shoot you out of the sky. I flew on Nine-O-Nine……..it was an honor to be able to fly on it.

I also flew on 909, and that was one sad day in my life when I heard of it’s demise.

Sure, if you live close enough to visit a museum. My Dad is 89, he’d sure be irritated if I glued him to a rocking chair. All of the ol War Birds should fly free. They tell a story when flying low overhead, The sound, size and wow were they slow. I didn’t notice any of those points when visiting SAC Air Museum in Ashland Ne. Even the SR 71 hanging from the entrance ceiling seemed slow.

The same could be said for your car. It’s a proven fact there are more fatal accidents per miles driven in a car than there are in miles flown by a B-17. In fact there are SO MANY automobile fatalities EVERY DAY in the US, that they rarely get reported on the news, but a single B-17 accident is SO RARE, it’s reported worldwide. I’d gladly fly in a B-17 over driving my car to the store👍

Then you should stay on the porch or go to a museum

Surprised there aren’t more direct replies yet to this brilliant two line dismissive from Larry C, but it’s so ridiculous that it actually made me laugh. I’ve flown in one of these old B-17s, kind of in honor of my dad that was on B-17s in WWII before they put him on B-29s. This plane is one of the most rugged airplanes ever built and while you do have to seriously maintain these when they get very old like this, with dedication you can keep them safe and flying, which is a tribute to the men that originally built and flew on them and now a tribute to the airplane itself and the men that have kept just a few of them in the air. Perhaps more importantly than even the rare safety issue is that these are a tremendous part of our history and our heritage.

To your comment about the B17 safety yes it’s old but people like my father flew 30 missions over Europe a number of times coming back shot up. The key is the plane brought them back. He was the bombardier in the nose of the plane and managed to survive so I think just taking a ride should be ok. These men all heroes barely spoke about what they did. Beautiful airplane built to last and protect.

Larry C, While I will take exception to your characterization of these aircraft as “Fly8ng Coffin(s)”, I won’t argue with you about them belonging in museeums. As the years go by, we see fewer and fewer of these magnificent flying machines around to appreciate. It is a cold hard fact, one day each and every one of these war birds will take to the sky one last time, and then never again. While we do not know currently know the date that this will happen, we can control the condition of the airframe when it does happen. And while I would never want to be the hand that wields the pen that signs the final flight log, we can and should decide when the final flight should take place.

Will they be coming to Philadelphia

This is the information we have. Contact the organization direct for more.

Glad to see these beautiful ladies active again and the opportunities to experience flying in them to the public still happening.

Interested in riding in the B17 Flying Fortress. Near Las Vegas or in Ut

When is B17 Flying Fortress schedule to be posted

Hiya I’m from UK but love all the old planes go to see b17 Sally b as much as I can in the summer months would love to come to the US and have a fly in one

I had the honor of walking through the Memphis Belle a few years ago, and gave her a good long walk around last fall in Dayton Ohio, and if you could take it off from a Walmart parking lot, I’d gladly be on her.

On Sept 8 1944 staff Sgt Roy Manssen whom was in the 379th AAF Bomber Group was on a mission to Germany to bomb ball bearing factories,fuel depots and military producing factorys when his plane suffered a direct hit and blew up in mid air. He was only 18 and a member of my family. Now he is flying in God’s Air Force. Thank u for giving your life for your Country and freedoms we so enjoy today.

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Airport Journals

Ghost of christmas flights past: luckier even than santa, doolittle raiders fly into history books, james dietz – a master storyteller, carroll shelby—from curtiss to cobra. born january 11, 1923 flown west may 10, 2012, read my lips, steve ritchie—the last ace, julie clark’s flying adventures as captain and aerobatics superstar, adam aircraft to fly again a-500 donated to “wings over the rockies”, bobbi trout: “just plane crazy”, harry combs enters the jet age, harry combs: the early years, how emily hanrahan howell warner conquered the male-dominated airline industry, the sentiment behind the sentimental journey resilient b-17 kicks off 16-state tour.

• By: AJ Staff Writer
• In: National
• On: July 1, 2008

The Sentimental Journey takes off toward Boulder.

By Barry Biggs

While Doris Day may never have met Capt. Robert “Bob” Blue, she and the soft-spoken Commemorative Air Force pilot would be able to strike up a conversation: both have a deep and long-lasting affinity for the moniker “Sentimental Journey.” One prefers it be on the air; the other prefers it be in the air.

Day’s version hit the Billboard charts March 25, 1945, as Columbia Records’ catalog number 36769. Her melodic tones struck the heartstrings of listeners around the world as the war moved reluctantly from Europe to the Pacific.

Blue’s version was accepted into service by the U.S. Army Air Corps just 12 days earlier, on March 13, and was christened 44-85314. With four throaty 1,200-hp radial engines, this Boeing B-17 Flying Fortress filled the hearts of servicemen and women with a sense of pride, and it eventually became an icon of American offensive airpower. Although manufactured far too late to see service in the European theatre, this plane did fly briefly as an RB-17G in the Pacific, fitted as a platform for photo-mapping operations.

Sentimental Journey nose art features the popular actress Betty Grable.

More than 60 years later, 85314 is one of only a handful of the B-17s still flying. And while her tail number has changed, and she’s donned a more glamorous designation, Sentimental Journey still reports for duty.

Assigned now to the Arizona Wing of the Commemorative Air Force as a flying museum, Sentimental Journey serves to honor the men who flew and crewed the B-17s during the war, as well as the men and women who built them.

According to the CAF, an educational, historic, preservation, nonprofit organization that restores and flies vintage military aircraft, an average of 80,000 visitors see and pass through the meticulously restored plane during its annual summer tour, which this year brought her to the 2008 Rocky Mountain Metropolitan Airport Open House.

CAF volunteer pilot Blue, who has flown the restored B-17 for seven years, points out Sentimental Journey is as about as authentic as they come.

This view of Boulder is from Sentimental Journey’s starboard waist gun turret.

“This is the most accurately restored B-17 there is,” asserts Blue. “It’s about 96 percent accurately restored.”

Although Sentimental Journey entered service at the tail end of the war, she still had work to do. After her tour in the Pacific, she was transferred to Eglin Field, Fla., and was converted to a DB-17G for service as an air-sea rescue craft.

During the 1950s, she was reconfigured as a DB-17P, serving with the 3215th Drone Squadron at Patrick Air Force Base in Florida. There, in 1951, she took part in “Operation Greenhouse,” the fourth in a series of postwar atmospheric nuclear weapon tests designed to study the principles that would lead to the development of the hydrogen bomb.

During the classified testing, Sentimental Journey was designated as the airborne mother ship, used to remotely fly and control a drone B-17 as it traveled in and out of the target area and collected radioactive cloud samples.

But eight years later, on Jan. 27, 1959, the Air Force mothballed Sentimental Journey and transferred her to storage at Davis Monthan AFB in Tucson, Ariz. But not for long.

Engines number 1 and 2 can be seen from the bombardier seat in the aircraft’s glass nose.

According to the War Bird Resource Groups registry for 44-83514, Acme Aircraft Parts of Compton, Calif. briefly picked up Sentimental Journey on July 31, 1959. She was re-designated as a civilian aircraft with a brand new tail number, N-9323Z, which she still wears today.

Western Air Industries, of Anderson, Calif., then acquired Sentimental Journey in November 1962, and converted her from her B-17 configuration to airborne fire tanker #E17. From there, she moved to the Aero Union Corporation of Chico, Calif., where she was flown as #C17 and #17 and eventually restored in 1977 to her military configuration as USAAF483514/Class of ’44.

In January 1978, the storied plane was donated to the newly formed Arizona Wing of the CAF. Local media launched a contest to name the plane. Out of more than 800 entries, “Sentimental Journey” was selected.

But a warbird of this stature needed appropriate nose art. The wing obtained permission from the estate of Betty Grable, who was perhaps the most famous pinup girl of the era, to use her famous pose as part of the finishing touches.

Barry Bills “operates” one of the two waist gunner turrets on the B-17.

Wing members worked diligently to return Sentimental Journey to her original glory, but even in her pristine condition, she was still missing what really made her a Flying Fortress— four operational turrets, operational bomb bay doors, navigator and radio operator stations, a Norden bomb sight and machine guns.

The next two years found wing members scrounging junkyards and airfields in search of elusive original parts. Seattle-based Boeing Aerospace provided photos and engineering drawings to make the restoration as authentic as possible. Boeing even helped install a new nose turret, the first major piece of equipment of the restoration.

By 1986, Sentimental Journey was an air show favorite, making more than 60 appearances across the U.S. and Canada. In 1988, she suffered a brake failure during a landing at Burbank Airport in California. The accident caused extensive damage to the underside front section of the aircraft and took six months to repair.

CAF wing members made repairs, and Sentimental Journey is once again making the rounds. This year, she and her volunteer crewmembers kicked off their summer tour with a roster that includes stops in 16 states, featuring walk-though tours and rides for some lucky locals who feel that flying aboard Sentimental Journey is well worth the $425 price tag.

Cleared to land, the Flying Fortress is on short final for runway 29R at Rocky Mountain Metro Airport, coming in at about 110 mph.

Passengers, under the watchful eye of the crew chief are free to move about the interior of the aircraft and can sit at most of the plane’s 10 crewmember positions. They can stroll down the catwalk or watch the world pass by from the vantage of the .50-caliber starboard waist gun turret, which has a large acrylic opening for use as an observation platform. It is the perfect roost for any photographer who has the ability to focus with one hand and hang on with the other.

The best seat in the house belonged to the bombardier, who sat tucked in the clear glass bubble beneath the nose. The 180-degree view makes up for a tight fit. Interestingly enough, during wartime operations, the bombardier would actually take control of the plane during bomb runs. Using the B-17’s autopilot controls and famous Norden bombsight, the bombardier would carefully calculate distance, speed and other factors affecting his ability and apply his skills in delivering the payload on target. Then with the “bombs away” command, he returned control of the aircraft to the pilot.

While just the sight of Sentimental Journey is exciting for many, its crewmembers, who rotate throughout the season, will remind guests that she’s not a joy ride: she’s a grand lady and a flying memorial and museum of the men who flew and crewed these airplanes, as well as the men and women who built them more than 60 years ago. Out of 12,731 built, only 10 restored and airworthy examples remain in the country.

“It’s really such a privilege to be part of the B-17,” said Capt. Mike Buckley, Sentimental Journey copilot and CAF director of operations. “It’s a wonderful experience to feel what the guys did before us—to be a part of a plane that’s part of our history—and then be able to go around the country and share that with the public.”

Buckley, who is a retired airline pilot with 35 years under his belt at Northwest, confessed the best part for him was to be able to talk with former B-17 crewmembers.

Capt. Bob Blue, retired after 39 years with United Airlines, has flown the restored B-17 for seven years.

“Whether they were gunners, waist gunners or pilots, it’s always very satisfying to talk to them—and thank them for their service to our country,” he said.

Buckley hopes that during their annual summer tours, future generations will have a better understanding of what the B-17 Flying Fortress did for the nation.

“Hopefully, the younger generations will pick up an appreciation for what we have—and why we have it,” he said.

For more information about Sentimental Journey, including tour stops, visit the Arizona Wing of the CAF at [http://www.azcaf.org], or call 602-448-9415 for information and scheduling of rides. Upcoming stops this summer will include Michigan, Wisconsin, Iowa, Illinois, Missouri, Oklahoma and Texas. A special thanks to Bea Khan Wilhite of the Colorado Aviation Historical Society for making possible the interviews and flight aboard the Sentimental Journey.

Crewmembers including Mike Pemberton (left) and Chuck Youngbeck rotate throughout the season.

© Copyright 2016 Airport Journals

Historic WWII plane arrives in Montana for tours and rides

HELENA — A historic WWII airplane - the B-17 Flying Fortress "Sentimental Journey" - landed at Helena Regional Airport on Monday, June 19, 2023, and will be there through June 25.

The plane is based in Arizona and belongs to the Commemorative Air Force, which restores and preserves World War II-era combat aircraft.

Some of planes are taken on "tour" each summer around the country for people to learn about, explore, and even ride.

GROUND TOURS Tue-Thur: 9p – 5p Fri-Sun: 2p – 6p $15 per person/$30 for a family of 4 Purchase tour tickets at the trailer, no reservation required.

Rides in the plane are available Friday, Saturday, and Sunday from 9am until 1pm. Click here for more information.

The Commemorative Air Force website includes this overview of the bomber:

Designed for daylight precision bombing, B-17s flew unescorted bombing missions over Europe for much of the war. B-17s were legendary for their ability to return home after taking brutal poundings. They dropped over 640,000 tons of bombs over Europe. A total of 12,731 B-17s produced by Boeing, Vega, and Douglas. Our Sentimental Journey is one of only five B-17s around the world actively flying today and was built in November, 1944. Post-War: After World War II, B-17s were used for other military purposes including photo-mapping, atmospheric nuclear weapon testing drone control, fighting forest fires, and other civilian purposes.

There will also be merchandise and souvenirs for visitors to buy; all proceeds go toward keeping this and other CAF planes flying.

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13 th of May, 2022

History Takes Flight This Week at Planes of Fame

• "Hangar Talk" & P-51D Mustang "Flying Demo" on Saturday (May 14)
• Rides Available in a B-17G and B-25J Friday (May 13) thru Sunday (May 15)
• Tours of the B-17 & B-25 Included with Museum Admission (May 12 thru May 15)

Planes of Fame Air Museum and the Commemorative Air Force (CAF), Arizona Wing, have an incredible "step back in time" experience for everyone this week at the Museum.  The CAF is bringing both their B-17G Flying Fortress "Sentimental Journey" and their B-25J Mitchell "Maid in the Shade" to Planes of Fame and offering rides and tours throughout their visit. 

Your admission to the Museum gets you a tour of these two incredible aircraft. Beginning Thursday, May 12th and continuing daily until Sunday, May 15th, guests to the Museum will have the opportunity to walk thru and tour both of of the CAF's visiting bomber aircraft.  Tours will begin in the afternoon (following flights) and the aircraft (and the Museum) will remain open each day until 6:00pm.

To book a flight in one or both of these aircraft, click this red button: 

Learn more about both of these aircraft by clicking on these following links:  B-17 Sentimental Journey and B-25 Maid in the Shade

Hangar Talk:

Saturday, May 14th is when the fun really kicks into gear. Our May edition of "Hangar Talk" will begin at 10:30am (the Museum opens at 9:00am on Saturday).  Topics include the 80th anniversary of the Battle of the Coral Sea, a look at the Norden Bombsight and the role of the Bombardier during World War II, and a special TED Talk about the dedication and courage that led to aerial fire-bombers.

At 12:15pm we'll begin the "Flying Demo" featuring the P-51D "Mustang" in a dazzling aerial display over the Museum.  Among its many roles during World War II, this fast escort fighter provided aerial protection to the bombers during that conflict.

Special Engine Start & Taxi. You won't want to miss the orchestrated engine start and taxi we've got planned.  First, the Mustang will fire up its powerful 1,400-horsepower Merlin engine and taxi away directly in front of the audience. Then, all four of the radial engines of the B-17 will power-up and it will taxi by.  A short time later, it will be the B-25's turn as it will power-up both of its Wright Twin-Cyclone radial engines and taxi away for its flight.

The P-51 will fly over the Museum for approximately 20 minutes, performing a number of passes and turns.  The B-17 and B-25 will each make a single pass over the Museum.

Following the Mustang's flight, guests can participate in a question and answer session with pilot Tom Nightingale to find out what flying one of these restored warbirds is really like.

On-site food service includes Coffee and Smoothies, Mexican food, and a fabulous dessert truck.  Or, visitors can opt to visit Flo's Airport Cafe (your admission sticker to the Museum will get you 10% off your bill at Flo's) and then return to the Museum.

The Museum's B-17G will be open for tours. Museum Guides will be on-site as well as Re-enactors (Living Historians in period military dress).  We will also be conducting our 'members only' raffle ride in the Museum's North American AT-6D/SNJ-5 'Texan' .

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Ride the B-17 and B-25 in Lethbridge, AB

Tue Jul 04 2023 at 09:00 am to 05:00 pm

Lethbridge Airport | Lethbridge, AB

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Event Location & Nearby Stays:

Host or Publisher CAF Airbase Arizona

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B-17 & B-25 Coming to Warrenton

Airbase Arizona of the Commemorative Air Force is bringing its gorgeous B-17 Sentimental Journey and stalwart B-25 Maid in the Shade to Warrenton- Fauquier Airport for tours and revenue flights from June 18-23, 2024. We don’t yet know whether they’ll want us to support them (and ourselves!) by bringing our concession trailer to sell food on Saturday and Sunday, but if that transpires, we’ll put out a call for volunteers. In the meantime, though, put these dates on your calendar and plan to visit two classic warbirds. The current schedule has ground tours on both planes on Tuesday and Wednesday all day from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm, and on Thursday through Sunday only in the afternoons, from 2:00 pm to 6:00 pm. Ground tours cost $15 per person and $30 for a family of four, and are purchased at the gate. Revenue flights are scheduled Thursday through Sunday from 9:00 am until 2:00 pm, which explains the lack of morning ground tours. For each plane, the price varies with the location of the seat you’re buying, and you stay in that section of the plane. On the B-17, it’s $475 for each of the 6 waist compartment seats, and $850 for each of the 2 bombardier/navigator compartment seats. On the B-25, it’s $375 for each of the 4 radio compartment seats, and $590 for each of the 3 jump seats. For more information and to book your seats, click here . Keep ’em flying – even the ones that aren’t ours! Every ticket sold for any tour – ground or flight – helps keep these warbirds in the air.

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The B-17 Flying Fortress Sentimental Journey will be hosted by Cutter Aviation at the Albuquerque International Sunport in Albuquerque, NM September 27 – 29, 2024.

A one of a kind collection of the rarest historical military planes in the world will be near you. Come see them up close and personal, and better yet fly in one!

Ground Tours:

Fri – Sat: 2p – 6p $10 per person/$20 for a family of 4 Purchase tour tickets at the trailer, no reservation required.

Fri-Sun: 9a – 2p

We will be located at:

Book your flight at Albuquerque, NM

Flights will be posted here soon

More about the flying legends of victory tour.

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B-17 AD Update: June 10, 2023

Here is the current known situation with the FAA Airworthiness Directive that was effective on June 1, 2023, and the four formerly airworthy B-17s ( Sentimental Journey , Ye Olde Pub , Yankee Lady , and Sally B ).

We are happy to see that the Commemorative Air Force B-17G, 44-83514 (N9323Z) , otherwise known as Sentimental Journey and operating from Airbase Arizona at Mesa, received its FAA blessing on Friday, June 9. The inspection procedure used to comply with the AD proved satisfactory to the FAA, and the airplane departed today (Saturday morning) to join the CAF’s 2023 Flying Legends of Victory Tour at Rock Springs, Wyoming.

B-17G 44-8543 (N3701G) , otherwise known as Ye Olde Pub and operated by the Erickson Aircraft Collection from Madras, Oregon, was never directly affected by the AD. As per an Erickson source, the airplane had an inspection several years ago that complied with the AD. Paragraph (g) of the current AD states, in part, that  “ …no action is required by this AD if all wing terminal fittings have been inspected in accordance with paragraph (b)(1) of AD 2001–22–06, Amendment 39–12485 ( 66 FR 54111 , October 26, 2001), and, as of the effective date of this AD, no more than 10 years or 2,500 flight hours have accumulated since that inspection. ” Fortunately for the Erickson B-17, its prior inspection met this requirement, so it was never actually grounded. It remains ready to fly (it is undergoing routine maintenance right now) and has several airshow dates later in the summer.

The Yankee Air Force grounded its B-17G, 44-85829 (N3193G) , otherwise known as Yankee Lady , at its base at Ypsilanti, Michigan, back on April 15 while it awaited the issuance of the FAA AD. The YAF cancelled all scheduled summer appearances of Yankee Lady . Beyond that, it seems to be a bit of a black hole of information. My request for an update from the YAF on the status and plans for the B-17G have yet to answered. So, it is but a guess that the YAF has the less invasive bolt removal inspection underway on the airplane. We await some concrete information and will pass it along when received.

And, finally, B-17G 44-85784 (G-BEDF) , otherwise known as Sally B and operated by B-17 Preservation from Duxford (UK): The FAA AD is not technically applicable to the UK-registered B-17, its operator self-grounded the B-17 out of an abundance of precaution. As with Yankee Lady , I have not yet received any response to my inquiry to get some accurate information, but all available sources suggest it has been or is being inspected by removing the innermost bolt from the wing spar tube/terminal fitting joint. Those sources, which may not have accurate information, indicate it may be flying within a few weeks. We shall see.

So, of the four airworthy B-17s that were directly affected by the AD, two are now airworthy again and in compliance with the AD. From all indications, the innermost bolt removal inspection has proven to be quite doable so it is probable that all four B-17s will be back in the skies by the end of summer. It should be noted, however, that the FAA is using the AD to gather more information about whether further action is required. But, with Sentimental Journey and Ye Olde Pub evidently having a clean bill of health, perhaps it bodes well that the structural failure originally detected on the EAA B-17G, Aluminum Overcast (B-17G 44-85740, N5017N ) in 2021 is not indicative of the fleet in general.

It is probable that several B-17s, Aluminum Overcast and the Mid America B-17G ( N900RW , formerly Thunderbird ) under overhaul at Madras, Oregon, included, will be flying again within the year. Bigger question marks surround several other B-17s, including MARC B-17G 44-83546 (N3703G) , otherwise known as Movie Memphis Belle , and Collings B-17G 44-83785 (N207EV) , both under long-term maintenance back to flying condition. No word yet on either airplane about AD compliance.

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Pilots Fred DeWitt,left, and Don Otto with the Sentimental Journey at Tri-Cities Airport on Sunday.

• Copy article link

Ray Whiteman, a Telford resident, travels with the B-17 Sentimental Journey.

Sentimental Journey: B17 crew keeps history alive

• Sep 16, 2017

BLOUNTVILLE — Keeping history alive keeps Fred DeWitt in the air, even on his days off.

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