The Boeing Bee

By Paul Tannahill

Since restoration began on the aircraft in 1991, the Museum of Flights rare B-17F “Boeing Bee,” has been for the most part, inaccessible to the general public, largely viewable only by special appointment. (Paul Tannahill)One of the most iconic aircraft of WWII is the B-17. And nowhere is this sentiment more true than in the birthplace of Boeing, Seattle, Wash. After years hidden from public view, the Museum of Flight’s rare B-17F Boeing Bee has emerged from the shadows and has gone on display following an intensive restoration by museum volunteers.

Constructed by the Boeing Airplane Company in their Plant II facility at Boeing Field in Seattle, Wash., B-17F-70-BO s/n 42-29782, was accepted by the Army Air Force on Feb. 13, 1943. The aircraft was immediately flown to a modification center operated by United Airlines at Cheyenne, Wyo.

To ensure an uninterrupted flow of aircraft from the factories, it was deemed more efficient to build aircraft, and then add the latest upgrades after the aircraft was completed. Following its refit, the B-17’s first assignment was with the 7th Bomb Squadron, 34th Bomb Group at Blyth Field, Calif., which at the time was tasked with training replacement crews for overseas For the time being, the Flying Fortress will remain on display in front of the museum until a more suitable location can be found to house the aircraft. The red box at the tail gunners position, was temporarily added by the museum to protected the fragile external gun sight from curious hands. (Paul Tannahill)deployment.

After approximately 500 hours of operation the B-17 was sent to the Sacramento Air Service Command, McClellan Army Air Base, Calif., for overhaul, arriving on May 15 or 16. On June 15, 1943 the Fortress was transferred to the 593rd Squadron, 596th Bomb Group, Moses Lake AAB, Moses Lake, Wash.

Though the aircraft was once again utilized in the training role, such unglamorous service was not without risk or danger; thousands of airmen were lost in stateside training accidents during WWII.

On Sept. 20, 1943 the right main wheel came off the aircraft during takeoff and landing practice, causing the right wing to contact the ground, and resulting in damage to the right wing, as well as both engines and props on that side. The aircraft was repaired however and returned to service.

When the 396th Bomb Group was transferred to Drew Field, The Flight deck of “Boeing Bee,” has been returned to stock military configuration, lacking any evidence of modern instruments or avionics. (Paul Tannahill)Tampa, Fla., the Fortress went with it. Though there are some discrepancies regarding actual dates, sources indicate that the B-17 did go to England at some point between January and May of 1944. Though the purpose of this trip is unclear, one source indicates that the aircraft’s destination was listed as “SOXO,” a delivery code used to identify the 8^th Air Force in England. By this time in the war, newer B-17G models, were streaming in to the combat arena. Many individuals find it doubtful that the old B-17F would have been assigned to a unit, or flown in a combat role. After only a short stay overseas, the Fortress returned to the U.S. and continued its function as a training aircraft at Drew Field.

With the end of WWII, the B-17 joined the thousands of other surplus aircraft awaiting disposal with the governments Reconstruction Finance Corporation, at Altus Okla. Towards the end of the war, many aircraft had been flown to storage facilities almost directly from the factories. Individuals and companies looking to utilize the aircraft for flying purposes often chose these almost new aircraft, leaving the high-time, older models and combat veterans doomed to the smelters. This should have spelled the end for this old B-17F. Fate however intervened.

Evident by a look into the nose section, a tremendous amount of effort has gone into replacing as much of the original military equipment as possible. (Paul Tannahill)The Government was offering surplus military aircraft to communities around the country as war memorials. The B-17 was sent to Stuttgart, Ark. around September 19, 1946, and put on display in a park, wearing the name “Great White Bird.” It is interesting to note that the aircraft at this time is described as wearing a natural metal finish indicating that at some point the aircraft had been stripped of its standard olive drab and neutral grey paint scheme.  However as the aircraft’s condition and appearance deteriorated, the community grew tired of the old bomber. Though it was still property of the U.S. government, the city counsel sold the aircraft to a local man by the name of Gerald C. Frances in 1953, who removed the B-17 from the park. On April 23 of the same year the B-17 was again sold, this time to brothers Max and John Bergert.

The Fortress was moved to the Stuttgart airport in preparation for a ferry flight to Nebraska. However, when the Government found out about the illegal sale of their property, they intervened, refusing to issue a registration number. Eventually, an agreement was reached, and after paying the Feds the then astronomical sum of $20,000, the Bergerts were given clear title to the aircraft. On Nov. 25 1953 the B-17 was assigned the civil registration number N6015V. The registration was changed to N17W five months later however at the request of the Bergerts.     

The Bergerts converted the aircraft for use as a large area sprayer, with A lack of frontal firepower on the F model Fortresses lead the Luftwaffe developed a tactic of attacking B-17 formations head on. The devastating nature of these attacks lead to numerous field modifications to increase culminating in the distinctive power operated chin turret indicative of the B-17G. (Paul Tannahill)the addition of spray bars under the wings, as well as several chemical tanks. A 300 gal. tank was installed in the nose, two 425 gal. tanks were installed in the bomb bay, as well as three tanks equaling 950 gal. positioned in the waist area and two surplus 450 gal. drop tanks from an F-94 slung under the wings. All of this added up, to give the B-17 a very impressive 3,000 gal. 20,000 lb. spray capacity.

In 1960 the aircraft was leased to Abe Sellards, who had the aircraft further modified to enable it to act as an air tanker for aerial fire fighting. Included in the modification was the addition of a cargo door on the left side of the fuselage. The aircraft retained its spray equipment however, giving the aircraft duel capabilities as a spray and air attack platform. In Aug. of the same year, the B-17 operated on its first fire. Simultaneously, along with a B-17G modified by another company, the two aircraft were the first to usher in an age that would see the venerable Flying Fortress combating a new but still very dangerous enemy, as the backbone of America’s heavy air-tanker force.

 On Oct. 26, 1961 Abe Sellards purchased the Fortress and had the spray The B-17F was stressed for a greater bomb load than the earlier E model. The B-17F was able to carry 12,800 lbs. of ordinance internally and 8,000 lbs. fitted on external racks. “Boeing Bee” is loaded with incredibly convincing inert bombs. (Paul Tannahill)equipment removed, leaving it as a dedicated air tanker. In 1963 Sellards along with others formed Aviation Specialties, and on April 17, the B-17 was transferred to the new company. Aviation Specialties would go on to operate six B-17 air tankers in the course of its existence, loosing two to crashes. Of the twenty three B-17 utilized in the air attack role, nine were lost. This is an attrition rate of over one third.

During the aircrafts twenty five year career of fire fighting, the Fortress wore numerous paint schemes and call signs including E84, C84, C44, and 04. Despite the rigors of fire fighting operations the B-17 still found time for the silver screen, with roles in 1000 Plane Raid in 1968, and Tora! Tora! Tora! in 1969.

On Feb 18, 1985 Aviation Specialties became Globe Air. Shortly thereafter the company closed, its assets slated for liquidation. What resulted was the now famous Oct. 1985 Globe Air auction. Before the auction however, Robert Richardson of Seattle, purchased the aircraft.

Richardson relocated the B-17 to Boeing Field, Seattle, Wash., and the Museum of Flight. The aircraft was stripped of its air attack colors and military style markings were applied over the bare aluminum surface. An authentic top turret was also added to the aircraft along with a false ball turret. In July of 1989, the aircraft once again returned to England, this time for the filming of the movie Memphis Belle. When shooting had wrapped up, the aircraft returned to the U.S. and spent some time in Geneseo, New York. In 1990, Richardson passed away suddenly. In keeping with his will, ownership of the Fortress passed to the Museum of Flight. The B-17 was flown back to Boeing field, and once again displayed in front of the museum, flying to the occasional airshow appearance.

In 1991, the B-17 was flown to Renton Field, in Renton, Wash. for restoration. When work began on the Fortress, the aircraft was found to be in rough condition due to years of hard use and neglect. Typical of ex-air attack aircraft, corrosion was rampant. Almost all of the belly skins aft of the bomb bay needed replacement. The area for the ball turret had been skinned over and the radio room floor had been altered and needed reconstruction. The cargo door that had been added back in 1960 had to be removed and the structure and skin returned to its original configuration. In all a tremendous amount of work was required to return the aircraft to its original wartime configuration.

Fortunately for the Museum of Flight, Boeing stepped forward to sponsor the restoration. Boeing contributed engineering and technical assistance as well as assisting in the fabrication of replacement components. During its civilian life, practically every piece of original military equipment had been removed from the aircraft. Over the course of the restoration, approximately 98 percent of the original military equipment has been reinstalled on the aircraft, and around 95 percent of that is actually operational.

The aircraft has led a rather nomadic existence since the Museum of Flight has taken possession of it. During its roughly 17-year restoration, the project has been plagued by work stoppages and location changes.

Around 2006, the B-17 was once again flown to Boeing Field, but steady housing for the large project remained an issue. For a time the B-17 was even housed in the now historic Plant II where it was built in 1943. A single, low quality photo is all that is known to exist of the aircraft during WWII. Based on this photo, the B-17 has been finished in a simple, standard paint scheme of olive drab and neutral grey that was applied to all B-17Fs. To honor the aircrafts lineage, the museum has given the aircraft nose art and named it Boeing Bee. Though it has been restored to airworthy condition; there are no plans to fly the aircraft.

For the first time since restoration began in 1991, the Fortress was on long-term public display in front of the Museum throughout this last summer. Unfortunately the B-17 is once again loosing its hangar space, prompting an intensive effort by the museum to find a facility that can shelter this historic aircraft. It is feared that long-term exposure to the elements may undo years of hard work. Until a new location is secured, the B-17 will remain on display in front of the museum. It is planned that the B-17 will eventually be displayed in a proposed addition to the Museum of Flights existing facility. Called the Boeing Pavilion, the space is designed to be so large that it will not only house the B-17F but also the museum’s B-29 which is currently undergoing restoration. The building will also encase the entire Red Barn, which is part of Boeings original 1916 factory. It is hoped that the facility will be open by 2016 in time to celebrate the Boeing Aircraft Company’s 100th anniversary. Though the immediate future of this venerable old B-17 is uncertain, one thing is for sure, this beautifully restored survivor will be around for generations to come preserving the memory of the men and women who built and flew the Flying Fortress.  

The Museum of Flight is interested in obtaining any photos or information regarding their B-17 particularly during its military service. For more information on the Museum of Flight please contact them at (206) 764-5720 or visit their website at www.museumofflight.org

Bibliography

• ·      Museum of Flight. The History & Restoration of B-17F Mil. Serial #42-29782. Seattle, WA: Museum of Flight, 1998
• ·      O’Leary, Michael. B-17 Flying Fortress A Bombing Legend. London: Osprey Publishing Limited,1992
• ·      Birsall, Steve. B-17 Flying Fortress in Color. Carrollton, TX: Squadron / Signal Publications, Inc. 1986
• ·      Johnsen, Fredrick A. Fire Bombers in Action. North Branch, NM: Specialty Press, 2010
• ·      Harris, Steven K. The B-17 Remembered. Seattle, WA: Museum of Flight, 1997
• ·      Eden, Paul. The Encyclopedia of Aircraft of WWII. London: Amber Books Ltd, 2004
• ·      Bauer, Eugene E. Boeing the First Century. Enumclaw, WA: TABA Publishing, Inc. 2000