About the B-17s

The U.S. Army Air Force (USAAF) used the B-17s during WWII for daylight precision strategic bombing campaigns. They mainly operated in Europe, but they were also used in the Pacific when needed.

The B-17 was a high-flying, long-range bomber that was able to defend itself. It was built so well that they were known for being able to return back to their bases, despite heavy damage, earning it the nickname “the Fortress of the Skies.” Thanks to high success rates, the B-17s dropped more bombs than any other U.S. aircraft in WWII.

About the Erickson Aircraft Collection’s B-17

This specific B-17 Bomber was manufactured by Lockheed-Vega and delivered to the U.S.A.A.F. on October 16, 1944. It was modified to be a “Pathfinder” B-17, equipped with the latest ground scanning H2X radar for nighttime bombing. During WWII it was used stateside in a training role before being dropped from the U.S.A.F. inventory in May 1959.

In 1961, Albany Building Corporation purchased it and used it for hauling freight, before selling it in 1963 to Donthan Aviation Corp. who used the airplane as an agriculture sprayer. In 1979, Doc Hospers of Fort Worth, Texas purchased the airplane and restored it to flying condition. The airplane was then sold to Jerry Yagen at the Military Aviation Museum in 2009 before being purchased by Erickson in 2013. It is the only B-17 “Pathfinder” left in existence.

In January 2019, the Erickson Aircraft Collection repainted this B-17 to “YE OLDE PUB” in honor of the men who flew the original B-17 “Ye Olde Pub” in the skies of Germany.

Learn More: https://www.ericksoncollection.com/boeing-b17f-flying-fortress/

Pilot Bio

Doug Griffin, Warbird pilot for the Erickson Aircraft Collection, has over 30 years of experience restoring, flying and maintaining WWII aircraft and civil aircraft.

Doug’s interest in flying began at a very young age, and he earned his pilots license at the age of 17 and soon started honing his skills as a mechanic which led to restoration of aircraft as well. Doug flies for many airshows as a well seasoned pilot with over 11,500 flight hours.

When not flying in airshows, his real job is a firefighting tanker pilot. Doug’s love of aircraft and especially warbirds led him to be a pilot for the Erickson Aircraft Collection where he currently flies the P-38 Lightning, P-40 Kittyhawk, P-51 Mustang, Grumman FM2 Wildcat, AD4 Skyraider, Bellanca Aircruiser, TBM Avenger, J2F6 Duck, PBY Catalina, B-25 Bomber, B-17 Bomber, F4U Corsair, P47 Thunderbolt, Me109 and many other aircraft.

Doug’s skills are shared each year as he travels the airshow circuit with Erickson Aircraft Collection, located in Madras, Oregon. Doug flies the B17 Bomber today for your entertainment.