Two Aviation Museums Stop Operation of Their B-17s Due to Rising Costs

Due to rising operational costs, both the National War Plane Museum in Geneseo, New York, and the Lone Star Flight Museum in Houston, Texas, announced last month they will stop operating their B-17s. 

The National Warplane Museum has had the “honor of operating the B-17 The Movie Memphis Belle for the family of David Tallichet and the Military Aircraft Restoration Corporation for the last four years. In light of the increasing hourly operation and insurance costs in connection with the aircraft, the Museum’s Board of Trustees has decided to cease operating the airplane effective immediately (Jan. 28) and terminate the lease of the aircraft,” said Bob Dauer, spokesman for the National War Plane Museum. Plans are currently underway to return the aircraft to the Tallichet family.

The Lone Star Museum published a similar statement: “Due to rising operational expenses, following the Jan. 25 flights, there are no further plans to fly the B-17 for the remainder of 2020.” Lone Star’s B-17 Thunderbird has been a popular attraction and has been a favorite “ride” event for many museum and airshow visitors.

To learn more about the museums and their slate of events and attractions, visit their websites: The National War Plane Museum at nationalwarplanemuseum.com and the Lone Star Museum at lonestarflight.org.