Boeing B-17G Flying Fortress - Sally B
From 1942 until the end of the aerial bombing offensive against the Third Reich in April 1945, the Boeing B-17 Flying Fortress and its sister, the Consolidated B-24 Liberator, carried the United States Army Air Force's Strategic Bombing Offensive to the heart of the Third Reich. Flying in daylight often without fighter support, casualties were heavy throughout the campaign, with 79,000 aircrew lost. So as a fitting tribute to these brave airmen, Boeing B-17G Flying Fortress, Sally B is flown as a memorial at airshows in the UK and Europe.
The machine was built as a B-17G at the Lockheed-Vega plant in Burbank, California and was one of the last constructed. It was accepted into USAF service with the serial number 44-85784 in June 1945. However, the European war had ended by this time, so the Fortress was modified to become a training aircraft with the designation TB-17G. From November 1945, it was based at Wright Field, Ohio.
During its service career, it was operated by the 2750th Air Base Group and was further modified to become a test aircraft with the designation EB-17G. The machine was involved in tests of which little has come to light. In 1954, with the test days over, the B-17 was returned to standard configuration at Hill Air Force Base.
In November 1954, Sally B went to France to fly with Institut Geographic National (IGN). The IGN flew B-17s on survey and mapping works, continuing to do so until the 1970s when the Fortresses were retired as spares and operating costs became too high.
In March 1975, businessman Ted White brought the B-17 to the UK, where it was based, as now, at Duxford. The aircraft's first public air display was at the 1975 Biggin Hill Airshow. In 1980 Ted White and Elly Sallingboe formed the Sally B Supporters Club, which over the years has proved to be the lifeblood of the operation of the aircraft. Unfortunately, in 1982 tragedy struck when Ted was killed while flying a Havard in Malta. Elly and the team were devastated by this but continued to fly the B-17. In Ted's memory, the aircraft's starboard inner engine cowling carries the same black and yellow chequered markings as were applied to his Harvard.
Sally B continues to fly despite significant setbacks such as engine problems and a lack of funds. Charitable status has opened up new areas of funding which has kept the aircraft in the air. In March 2000, the B-17 Charitable Trust was formed; however, the constant effort the Trust puts in to allow this flying memorial to continue grace our skies must be remembered and applauded.
Further information regarding Sally B can be found here - www.sallyb.org.uk
The machine was built as a B-17G at the Lockheed-Vega plant in Burbank, California and was one of the last constructed. It was accepted into USAF service with the serial number 44-85784 in June 1945. However, the European war had ended by this time, so the Fortress was modified to become a training aircraft with the designation TB-17G. From November 1945, it was based at Wright Field, Ohio.
During its service career, it was operated by the 2750th Air Base Group and was further modified to become a test aircraft with the designation EB-17G. The machine was involved in tests of which little has come to light. In 1954, with the test days over, the B-17 was returned to standard configuration at Hill Air Force Base.
In November 1954, Sally B went to France to fly with Institut Geographic National (IGN). The IGN flew B-17s on survey and mapping works, continuing to do so until the 1970s when the Fortresses were retired as spares and operating costs became too high.
In March 1975, businessman Ted White brought the B-17 to the UK, where it was based, as now, at Duxford. The aircraft's first public air display was at the 1975 Biggin Hill Airshow. In 1980 Ted White and Elly Sallingboe formed the Sally B Supporters Club, which over the years has proved to be the lifeblood of the operation of the aircraft. Unfortunately, in 1982 tragedy struck when Ted was killed while flying a Havard in Malta. Elly and the team were devastated by this but continued to fly the B-17. In Ted's memory, the aircraft's starboard inner engine cowling carries the same black and yellow chequered markings as were applied to his Harvard.
Sally B continues to fly despite significant setbacks such as engine problems and a lack of funds. Charitable status has opened up new areas of funding which has kept the aircraft in the air. In March 2000, the B-17 Charitable Trust was formed; however, the constant effort the Trust puts in to allow this flying memorial to continue grace our skies must be remembered and applauded.
Further information regarding Sally B can be found here - www.sallyb.org.uk