So, How Many B-17s Are Still Flying?

You see that question asked a lot. The current answer is….four, but it sort of depends on what you mean by “flying”? My answer to that question is that “flying B-17s” can be rolled out of the hangar today, have some (actually, lots of $8 a gallon) fuel and oil added, and get airborne. I call those “Operational B-17s.”

As of the October2024, these operational B-17s are 44-8543 flying as Ye Olde Pub from Madras, Oregon; 44-83514 flying from Falcon Field, Arizona, as Sentimental Journey; 44-85829 that, as Yankee Lady, was recently sold to to a new owner and is awaiting disassembly for a rebuild, and 44-85784 flying as Sally-B from Duxford in the UK.

There are several B-17s that are “close” to flying…but they don’t qualify as “flying” or “operational” because either they have not flown for many years, may be out of annual inspection, or are grounded for major maintenance reasons. However, one of those (Movie Memphis Belle) is expected to be flying again in November 20224. A recent change was the EAA’s Aluminum Overcast (44-85740) being moved from a maintenance hangar to static display at the EAA Eagle Hangar as decisions about its future status are made.

Thus, by my count, as seen below, there are four B-17s flying out of 46 existing complete B-17s. Check out the detailed information linked below. There is some good stuff contained there that will answer your questions.

And, I’ll add that the book Final Cut: The Post-War B-17 Flying Fortress and Survivors, available right here on this website, has the in-depth story of each of the 48 B-17 survivors (2018 count B-17 count at publication…since then, we’ve tragically lost two B-17s), told both with text and photos. And, there is so much more contained in its 288 pages that you won’t find anywhere else. If you are a B-17 guy or gal, you need to check out the book.