B-17 "Nine-O-Nine"

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: Boeing B-17E / B-17G Flying Fortress - СШАUSA - 1941

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: Boeing B-17E / B-17G Flying Fortress - СШАUSA - 1941

Oil-streaked and sun-faded, Nine-O-Nine cruises off the California coast. After numerous repaints and retouchings, the B-17 has gradually changed hue over the years.

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: Boeing B-17E / B-17G Flying Fortress - СШАUSA - 1941

Nine-O-Nine off the California coastline near Santa Barbara, as it proceeds to its next tour stop in San Francisco.

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: Boeing B-17E / B-17G Flying Fortress - СШАUSA - 1941

Tom Reilly performs a test flight high above the Florida haze during March 1987. At this stage the top turret had yet to be installed. Ill-fortune was awaiting the Fortress; just a few months later a pilot ran it off a runway and down a 200ft embankment.

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: Boeing B-17E / B-17G Flying Fortress - СШАUSA - 1941

Nine-O-Nine displays its graceful lines over Southern California farmland.

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: Boeing B-17E / B-17G Flying Fortress - СШАUSA - 1941

Yucca Lady at Falcon Field, Mesa, Arizona, in June 1968. At this time work was being carried out on the bomber as time permitted. Note the old Military Air Transport Service search-and-rescue markings. A great deal of reskinning was needed to replace metal damaged by three atomic bomb explosions. Although the aircraft was theoretically “cool”, the University of Arizona undertook a test during the late 1960s to examine the droppings from rats which had taken up residence in the bomber. The droppings were found to be radioactive!

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: Boeing B-17E / B-17G Flying Fortress - СШАUSA - 1941

With smoke on, the Collings B-17G and B-24J Liberator beat up the Oxnard Strawberry Festival on April 15, 1993. Since this photograph was taken, the Liberator has had its identity changed from All American to The Dragon and His Tale. Owing to a change in FAA restrictions, passengers are now allowed to be flown on both bombers.

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: Boeing B-17E / B-17G Flying Fortress - СШАUSA - 1941Consolidated B-24H / B-24J Liberator - СШАUSA - 1943

With Stars and Stripes flapping in the breeze, the bomber shows off its distinctive nose art.

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: Boeing B-17E / B-17G Flying Fortress - СШАUSA - 1941

The Douglas-built B-17G breaks away from the camera aircraft.

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: Boeing B-17E / B-17G Flying Fortress - СШАUSA - 1941

Aviation Specialties removed two B-17s from the atomic test site; the second, USAAF s/n 44-83722, had suffered much heavier damage. Here, part of the fuselage is seen in the Aviation Specialties junk pile during October 1985. (The good thing about the operators of fire-bomber and agricultural aircraft is that they never throw anything away.) The remains were purchased by Kermit Weeks, and some of this aircraft has been incorporated into the composite display B-17 that forms part of his Fantasy of Flight attraction at Polk City, Florida.

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: Boeing B-17E / B-17G Flying Fortress - СШАUSA - 1941