# B-17 'Liberty Belle' back in the air

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/b-17-liberty-belle-back-in-the-air/282430>\
**Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\
**Created:** [December 31, 2004, 3:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/b-17-liberty-belle-back-in-the-air/282430 "2004-12-31T15:24:05Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 4\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![Johnny\_L.A](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnny_l.a/32/1084_2.png) [@Johnny\_L.A](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_L.A)\
**Post date:** [December 31, 2004, 3:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/b-17-liberty-belle-back-in-the-air/282430/1 "2004-12-31T15:24:05Z")

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> [@](#):
>
> [December 8, 2004, 2:40 EST - the B-17 “Liberty Belle” was taken airborne for the first time in over 45 years!](http://www.libertyfoundation.org/index.php) Following an extensive 15-year restoration, our B-17’s first test flight was a huge success! While there is still much to do to prepare the Liberty Belle for her extensive 2005 tour schedule, the aircraft flew effortlessly around the Kissimmee Airport and was a pleasure to fly. This now brings the number of airworthy B-17s to 14 in the world.

I just love it when old aircraft are resurrected. 🙂

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**Author:** ![Scruloose](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/e68b1a/32.png) [@Scruloose](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Scruloose)\
**Post date:** [December 31, 2004, 9:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/b-17-liberty-belle-back-in-the-air/282430/2 "2004-12-31T21:00:46Z")

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Outstanding. The B-17 is my favorite plane of that era. While working the EAA Fly-In in Osh Kosh one year, I got to check out 2 B-17’s, inside and out. At the time, there were (IIRC) 10 flying 17’s. I almost joined the B-17 historical society for $400, just because one of the bennies was a flight in one.

I’ve always regretted not doing that.

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**Author:** ![Bear\_Nenno](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bear_nenno/32/3358_2.png) [@Bear\_Nenno](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bear_Nenno)\
**Post date:** [December 31, 2004, 10:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/b-17-liberty-belle-back-in-the-air/282430/3 "2004-12-31T22:42:42Z")

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A man I used to work with was a Lead Bombardier in a B-17. He’s got some great stories to tell!!

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**Author:** ![Tripler](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tripler/32/21807_2.png) [@Tripler](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tripler)\
**Post date:** [January 1, 2005, 2:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/b-17-liberty-belle-back-in-the-air/282430/4 "2005-01-01T02:09:39Z")

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Thank God.

It’s a great thing when something like this happens. I’m glad an old lady of the war can fly again. Even if it’s by ‘Wild Bill’ Kelso, USAAC. 😃

Tripler  
A great aircraft, a great legacy, and a great liftoff. ::salute::