B-17G 44-85619 - Can anyone give any info?

[harrison987]

Does anyone have any history of this aircraft? I found a box temperature gauge, and the overahaul tag states if came from a B-17G 44-85619.

Can anyone help?

Thanks!

mike

[Bill Walker]

From Joe Baugher's web site, this was a Vega built aircraft that went to Portugal in 1947, as FAP 7401, and was struck off in 1960.

[Leendert]

From Roger Freeman's "The B-17 Flying Fortress Story":

Delivered Louisville 6 Apr 45, Sth Plains 16 Apr 45, 2137 BU Smyrna 6 Nov 45,
342 BU Smyrna 5 May 46, 4104 BU Rome 10 Jun 45 (= 46?), 554 BU Memphis 12 Jun 45 (= 46?), 4104 BU Rome 30 Sep 46, Recl Comp 10 Apr 47.

Must have been picked up by the Portuguese then in 1947.

Regards,

Leendert

[Leendert]

Mike,

A little addition: Portugal received 5 B-17s and they were used as SB-17G from Lajes Field, Azores in the SAR role from 1947-1960.

Your B-17 must have been one of them....

Leendert