06/10/2026
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https://commemorativeairforce.org/aircraft/1
Boeing B-17G 44-83514 was built by Douglas Aircraft in late 1944, and was accepted by the U.S. Army Air Forces on 13 March 1945. Assigned to the Pacific theater for the remainder of the war, it was subsequently placed in storage in Japan. In 1947, the B-17G was reconfigured as a RB-17G for a new role in photo-mapping and assigned to Clark Field in Manila.In 1950, the aircraft was transferred to Eglin Field, Florida and converted to a DB-17G for service as an air-sea rescue craft. During the 1950s, it was modified to a DB-17P standard, serving with the 3215th Drone Squadron at Patrick Air Force Base in Florida. One of its important missions was "Operation Greenhouse," the fourth postwar atmospheric nuclear weapon test series conducted by the United States during the spring of 1951.On 14 January 1978, at a membership banquet for the newly formed Arizona Wing of the Commemorative Air Force, Colonel Mike Clarke announced the donation of the aircraft to the CAF for assignment to the Arizona Wing. A contest was initiated by the local media to name the aircraft, which resulted in more than 800 entries, and the ultimate selection of the name "Sentimental Journey" with nose art featuring World War II pinup Betty Grable.
CAF Airbase Arizona | Mid-Atlantic Air Museum | Nikon
