WHERE ARE THEY NOW?

From 1939-45, United States aircraft factories built 12,731 of the Boeing designed B-17 aircraft of various model designations. They flew in several theaters of operation but primarily in Europe. Even though they were outnumbered eventually by the ubiquitous B-24, of which some 18,000 were built, the B-17 is generally regarded as the airplane that opened the skies for allied bombing activities. A few of the B-17s were actually used by the Air Force well into the 1950’s.

During World War II, 4,754 of these amazing planes were destroyed. Many more were sold or delivered to allies and we do not have accurate records of their fate. After the war, hundreds of the planes were sold to private parties and to other countries for a wide variety of uses. The official price for these surplus B-17s was $13,750, but few paid that much. Many planes sold for $600-$1,000. Often the fuel left in the tanks was worth more than the selling price. In any event, after all the dust settled, some 7,000 of these magnificent machines were salvaged for the scrap metal. With the passage of time, it seems a shame that more of these planes were not preserved for posterity.

The best research available today indicates that there are only 52 known B-17s left in the world. Of these, 13 are flying and 4 more are undergoing restoration with the hope that they will fly again. At least 5 of the planes are stored in unknown condition mostly in the United States. Another 19 planes are on static display in museums and at airports. That leaves 11 planes that are in known crash sites in the mountains, jungles or under the ice. Some may be recovered in the future, but most will remain where they are.

It seems like an ignominious epitaph for such a proud, courageous warrior.