B-17 — The Flying Fortress Survivors
Airworthy Flying Forts

‘And then there were ten...’ Long live the memory of the Liberty Belle. She was active for only 6 years since being restored, but what a magnificent six those were.

There are few creations of technology as majestic as a 4-engine heavy bomber in flight. They are little more than bits of aluminum, fabric, 72 pistons, and a dozen propeller blades all moving through the sky in loose formation. The only thing that comes close is a steam locomotive with all of its moving parts on the outside of the machine. But a locomotive will never fly, and can never spark one's imagination to shoot for the stars like a B-17 Flying Fortress.

Built mostly over 3 years from mid-1942 to mid-1945, these four engine heavy bombers once filled the skies. Workers across the US built 12,731 B-17's, 19,258 B-24's, and 3,960 B-29's. They are all but gone today, with only one B-29 still flying and three B-24's still airworthy. The B-17, however fared a little better. Many saw post-WWII action as transports, passenger craft, sprayers, and water bombers. While this service was not as glamorous, it kept the Flying Fortress lineage alive and in the air. As a result, there are 15 B-17 Flying Fortresses still airworthy, plus a few other hulks that have a realistic chance of being restored.

Someone once said that a B-17 operates on gas, oil, and money. Especially money. A B-17 will easily burn 200 gallons of fuel per hour, plus about 10 gallons of oil per hour. Consumables and wear items cost an estimated $3,000 per flight hour. For each hour a Flying Fortress spends in the air, ten are spent on the ground in maintenance. An engine overhaul can cost $40,000, and FAA required wing-spar inspections and repairs will cost each Flying Fortress in excess of $100,000. The Collings Foundation's Nine'O'Nine overran the runway in Beaver Falls, PA, a number of years back. The EAA's Aluminum Overcast had her landing gear collapse in 2004. Liberty Belle was once destroyed by a tornado. While each of these restoration projects are technical and financial marvels, the value of the volunteer work that goes into such a project is beyond imagination.

Operating a B-17 is more than what most any one person can do. As a result, most are owned by foundations or museums set up specifically to keep the Flying Fortress in the air. These organizations are partly funded by corporate donations and air show fees, but most depend on touring. A B-17 tour will take the Flying Fortress from city to city across the USA, where she will be on display for tours, and a lucky few have a chance to take a flight on the B-17. If you hear that a B-17 tour is stopping in your city, please do go check it out, contribute a few dollars, and consider taking a B-17 flight. I can promise it will be the thrill of a lifetime. Keep 'em flying...