Aircraft History
This is the oldest B-17 Flying Fortress left in the world. Built by Boeing constructors number 2125, completed on April 28, 1941.

Initially assigned to the 11th Bombardment Group, 14th Bombardment Squadron, adorned with red and white striped tail, with tail number 21.

Part of the first group of 14th BS B-17s to fly across the Pacific. They flew via Darwin and 7-Mile Drome on September 9, 1942 arriving at Clark Field, the longest mass flight of land based aircraft flown until that date, Nicknamed "Old Betsy" (no nose art).

Wartime History
After the attack on Pearl Harbor, this B-17 flew what was likely the first American combat mission of the war, a reconnaissance mission out of Del Monte Airfield.

Less than a week later, "Ole Betsy" took off to bomb Lingayen Gulf, piloted by Goodman. Soon after taking off, it experienced engine trouble and proceeded to Davao, an alternate target. The airplane arrived over the Davao Gulf in darkness and conducted the first American night bombing attack of the war.

At the end of December 1941, this B-17 was relocated to Singosari Airfield on Java. During a mission to bomb Tarakan on January 11, 1942, three enemy fighter aircraft mounted a 35-minute attack. The crew claimed two of the attackers and the B-17 escaped. The damage was extensive enough to end her career as a bomber.

Flown to Melbourne for a complete overhaul and fitted with a new tail scavenged from B-17D 40-3091. Captain Weldon Smith became the new pilot of this restored Flying Fortress. and nicknamed it "The Swoose (It Flys)" after a popular song. Assigned as personal transport of General George Brett.

Postwar
After the war, it was stored at Kingman, AZ to be scrapped. Instead, was saved by the efforts of Frank Kurtz,, who flew it during the war.

On April 6, 1946, Kurtz flew the B-17 to Mines Field (Los Angles Airport) with passengers aboard including the mayor of Los Angeles and Mrs. Kurtz. Following acceptance ceremonies, airport personnel stored the B-17 inside a hangar at the airport.

Plan for war memorial fell through and Frank Kurtz arranged for the National Air Museum to acquire the aircraft. Kurtz flew the plane in May 1948 to the old C-54 assembly plant at Park Ridge, IL for storage. In June 1950 the USAF claimed the Park Ridge facility for military use. On Jan 18, 1952, an Air Force crew flew the plane to Pyote, TX for storage. Flown to Andrews AFB, MD Dec 3, 1953 and stored outdoors for six years.

NASM & Storage
In April 1961, the plane was trucked to the National Air & Space Museum Paul Garber Facility. The B-17 was placed into storage in a preserved but unrestored state from 1961-2008. The drift meter from this bomber is part of the NASM collection, Inventory Number: A19500075025.

USAF Museum
During July 2008, "The Swoose" was moved from National Air & Space Museum Paul Garber Facility to the USAF Museum, arriving on July 14, 2008. Visitors may see "The Swoose" in the museum's restoration facility by signing up for a Behind the Scenes tour held each Friday. Advanced registration is required.

At this time, USAF Museum staff has not finalized restoration plans. The Swoose will undergo an extensive and detailed technical inspection. Based on the findings, the museum will determine how to best restore and display the historic aircraft. The extensive restoration is expected to take a number of years.

References
The Swoose: Odyssey of a B-17 by Herbert S. Brownstein, Smithsonian Press 1993.
The Swoose comes home to roost at the National Museum of the U.S. Air Force July 14, 2008 USAAF Museum news release
NASM Profiel B-17D "Swoose"

Contribute Information
Do you have photos or additional information to add?

Last Updated
November 9, 2009

B-17

Photo Archive