This is the B-17G Texas Raiders on display at an airshow in the 1990's. She is sporting the new politically correct nose art where the pretty lady is wearing a top, something she didn't have in her WWII style markings. Texas Raiders is the first B-17 to have been purchased strictly to operate as a museum and educational tool. She has been operated by the CAF, now the Commemorative Air Force (more political correctness) by the Gulf Coast Wing based in Houston, Texas, at Ellington Field (the former Ellington AFB), the same airbase that supports NASA.

The FAA issued an airworthiness directive in 2001 related to wing spar cracking around bolt holes. The Texas Raiders is currently undergoing inspection and repair to comply with that directive. It is a huge undertaking that requires removing the wings along with significant disassembly of the aircraft.

Update—She flies! After 7-1/2 years of work, the Texas Raiders took to the air again on October 14, 2009. The Texas Raiders has always been the most popular of the B-17s that tour airports and airshows, so it will be great to have her back on the circuit again.