List of surviving Boeing B-17 Flying Fortresses


The Boeing B-17 Flying Fortress is an American four-engine heavy bomber used by the United States Army Air Forces and other Allied air forces during World War II. Of the 12,731 aircraft built, approximately 4,735 were lost during the War. Those that had flown in combat missions and survived the War were subsequently sent to boneyards, such as those at Walnut Ridge and Kingman, for smelting. Consequently, only five planes that survive today – 40-3097, 41-2446, 41-24485, 42-32076, and 44-8846 – claim combat provenance. The majority of survivors are planes that were built too late to see active service and then were used through the 1950s and 1960s in both military and civilian capacities. Many surviving examples are painted to represent actual planes that flew in combat. Today, 46 planes survive in complete form, 10 of which are airworthy, and 39 of which reside in the United States.

Surviving aircraft

Surviving aircraft by manufacturer

Surviving aircraft

Known wrecks

In addition to the 47 surviving planes, there are several known complete or near-complete wrecks around the world. The most recent wreck to be recovered was 41-2446, "Swamp Ghost," which was removed from a swamp in Papua New Guinea in 2006. There are currently no plans underway to recover any wrecks.
SerialLocationCoordinatesHistoryPhoto
41-9234Built at Boeing Seattle as B-17E. Crash landed on side of mountain near Wau 8 January 1943 after attack on convoy in Huon Gulf. Popularly known as "Gray Ghost." After retrieval of Swamp Ghost, this became the only remaining wreck on land.
41-24371 Built at Boeing Seattle as B-17F. Named "Devils from Hell." Crash landed off coast of Palermo 18 April 1943.
41-24521Built by Boeing Seattle as B-17F. Named "Black Jack/The Joker's Wild" Ditched near Aruliho during storm 11 July 1943. Discovered in 1986.
42-31044Built at Boeing Seattle as B-17G. Named "Her Did." Ditched off coast of Corsica 14 February 1944.
44-6630Built at Douglas Long Beach as B-17G. Ditched off coast of Vis 6 November 1944.