Friday, October 29, 2010

B-17 PICADILLY LILLY





Boeing B-17G-65-VE Flying Fortress Picadilly Lilly Serial No. 44-8435
Assigned to First Bombardment Division, 41st Combat Wing, 379th Bomber Group (Heavy), 525th Bomber Squadron
Stationed at USAAC Airfield #117, Kimbolton, England 1944-45





Piccadilly Lilly II
Serial No. 44-83684 was the last active B-17 Flying Fortress bomber in the United States Air Force, and retired in 1959 after nine years as a DB-17P drone director. She is currently part of Edward T. Maloney's aviation collection and is being restored to flying condition at the Planes of Fame air museum, Chino, California.

This aircraft was possibly the last aircraft assigned to the 8th AF / 447th Bomb Group but perhaps not delivered.

This aircraft was used in the Dick Powell Theatre episode Squadron and The Quinn Martin production of Twelve O'Clock High starring Robert Lansing. She was redressed to represent the numerous aircraft which comprised the mythical 918th Bomb Group. She also appeared in The Thousand Plane Raid as well as Black Sheep Squadron.






FRIDAY FILLY HERE




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5 comments:

  1. Very interesting. If you would like additional funding for this worthy project. Visit PayPal. Me/AXTFinance This is not an offer from scammer.

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  2. Photo of Piccadilly Lilly 44-8435 submitted by Fred Acomb is not correct. She was a NMF (Natural Metal Finish) & you can see the Demarcation Lines separating the Green from the Gray. I have searched for over 15 years for a photo of this bird and spoke with some Veterans who flew her, they too wanted one.

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    1. I am a historian for the 379th BG and will need more proof than shown that this is 44-8435. Also, meant to point out another mistake. I can be contacted at any facebook page about the 379th BG

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  3. Hey Richard....I see you are on the case! BP

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    1. Yep! I guess you see what I do that eliminates this Aircraft off our list?

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