@aviationhighlights: The first flight of 2026 marked another milestone for Sally B, the last remaining airworthy B-17 Flying Fortress based in Europe. After winter maintenance and preparation by her engineering and flight crews, the aircraft returned to the skies from Imperial War Museum Duxford, continuing a tradition that has now spanned more than half a century in Britain. Built in 1945 as a Boeing B-17G-105-VE, the aircraft arrived too late to see wartime combat. Instead, she served in a variety of post-war research and survey roles in the United States and later in France before being purchased by businessman and pilot Ted White and brought to Britain in March 1975. Renamed “Sally B” after his partner, Elly Sallingboe, the aircraft was restored to a wartime appearance and began a new career on the air show circuit. Since then, generations of volunteers have helped keep the four-engined bomber flying despite the considerable expense and technical challenges involved in operating such a historic aircraft. Sally B has now spent more than 50 years in private ownership and preservation in the United Kingdom. Following Ted White’s passing in 1982, Elly Sallingboe continued the project, and the aircraft has been operated by B-17 Preservation and supported by the B-17 Charitable Trust. Today, the aircraft relies on donations, sponsorship, merchandise sales and volunteer effort rather than government funding, making her continued airworthiness a remarkable achievement.

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Tuesday 02 June 2026 16:47:58 GMT