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  B-17G-85-DL "Nine-O-Nine" Serial Number 44-83575  
USAAF

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Justin Taylan 2008

Aircraft History
Built by by Douglas at Long Beach under contract for Boeing. Constructors Number 32216. Delivered to the U.S. Army Air Force (USAAF) as B-17G-85-DL Flying Fortress serial number 44-83575.

Postwar
During 1952, this B-17 was parked during an atomic test site in Nevada. Afterwards, abandoned.

During April 1965, salvaged by Valley Scrap Metal of Phoenix, AZ. On May 5, 1965, acquired by Abe Sellards / Aircraft Specialties Inc of Mesa, AZ and and registered as N93012. Rebuilt and ferried to Mesa on May 14, 1965. Stored at Mesa from 1969 until 1977 and stripped for spare parts.

In 1977, converted to a tanker at Mesa, AZ. Owned by Globe Air Inc. in Mesa, AZ and nicknamed "Lady of Yukka" with the fuselage code 99 and operated until 1985.

Next, acquired by the The Collings Foundation. Restored by Tom Reilly Vintage Aircraft at Kissimmee Airport to its wartime configuration. After restoration, flown as part of the "Wings of Freedom" airshow touring regional airports across the United States.

On January 28, 1987 crashed while landing at Beaver County, PA. Afterwards, repaired and restored at Kissimee, FL by January 1991. Painted in the markings of B-17G "Nine-O-Nine" 42-31909.

In 1995, suffered an undercarriage collapse in Sioux City, IA. Repaired by July 10, 1995.

On October 2, 2019 took off from Bradley International Airport (BDL) at 9:45am and soon becoming airborne experienced problems and attempted to return to land and crashed at roughly 10:00am with seven killed and seven seriously injured. After the crash, the bomber caught fire and burned, temporarily closing the airport.

References
USAF Serial Number Search Results - Douglas/Long Beach B-17G-85-DL Fortress 44-83575
"83575 converted to TB-17H and then to SB-17G. Served as static test target for nuclear tests in Nevada. Sold on civilian market as N93012. Served as borate bomber for 20 years. Sold in January 1986 to Bob Collings and restored by Tom Reilly Vintage Aircraft. Damaged in landing accident Aug 23, 1987 at Beaver County Airport but repaired. Now owned and flown by Collings Children's Trust Fund painted as B-17G-30-BO 42-31909 'Nine-O-Nine'."
The Collings Foundation - Boeing B-17G Flying Fortress
Hartford Courant "At least two killed, 12 injured, when World War II-era plane crashes at Connecticut’s Bradley International Airport" October 2, 2019

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Last Updated
September 2, 2025

 

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