Boeing B-17F Restoration

B-17F Serial # 42-29782, N17W

Sponsored in part by the Boeing Management Association, volunteers have been restoring this B-17F over the last few years. 42-29782 is now owned by the Seattle Museum of Flight. This B-17 has a rather interesting history.... It never saw combat and was assigned to state- side training units during WW-II. After the war, it was displayed in the city of Stuttgart, Arkansas as a war memorial until late 1953 and then went through a succession of owners. She was modified as a sprayer and fire tanker in the early 1960's. "One-Seven-Whiskey" has appeared in a number of movies including "The 1000 plane raid", "Tora Tora Tora" (she was flown to Hawaii in 1968 for this role) and most recently, the movie "Memphis Belle" (she was flown to England for this role). Prior to the Musuem of Flight's acquisition, this B-17 was owned by the late Seattle resident Bob Richardson. Mr. Richardson donated the aircraft to the Museum of Flight.

Standing in front of Boeing B-17F 42-29782 (N17W) are Harold A. Hansen (left), an U.S. 8th Air Force WW-II Veteran. On the right is my good friend and fellow Boeing employee Mark Hesselbach. Mr. Hansen said he believes he's the only man still alive that has flown every model of the B-17. Mark Hesselbach, a Field Rep. here at Boeing, is one of the earliest of many current and retired Boeing employee volunteers that have helped restore this B-17.

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B-17F 42-29782 has been under restoration at the Boeing Renton plant since 1994. She has recently been moved to a ramp on the west side of the runway at the Renton airport (near Seattle, Washington). To date, two of the engines have been run up. Stay tuned for more information because we're told 17W will fly again soon!

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Last update: October 13, 1998

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