Boeing B-17G “Sally B“
More Than an Aircraft. A Living Memorial.
Keeping History Alive
Few aircraft represent the history of aviation as powerfully as the Boeing B-17 Flying Fortress. Once built for war, “Sally B” now serves a very different purpose. As Europe’s last airworthy Flying Fortress, she is not only a remarkable aircraft but also a living memorial to the thousands of aircrew who never returned from their missions during the Second World War. Every flight keeps their memory alive and preserves an important chapter of aviation history for future generations
Homebase
Imperial War Museum Duxford, United Kingdom
Aircraft
Boeing B-17G Flying Fortress “Sally B”
Operator
B-17 Preservation Ltd.
Photographers
Robert Kysela
Will Moore
Boeing B-17G Flying Fortress “Sally B“
B-17 Preservation Ltd. – Sywell Aerodrome, United Kingdom
© Will Moore
More than eighty years after she first flew, Sally B remains the only airworthy B-17 Flying Fortress based in Europe.
Boeing B-17G Flying Fortress “Sally B“
Four Wright R-1820 Cyclone radial engines produce more than 4,800 horsepower during take-off.
© Robert Kysela
The Sound of Four Wright Cyclones
For most visitors, the Sally B is a beautifully restored historic aircraft.
For those standing beside the runway, however, she becomes something entirely different. One after another, four Wright R-1820 Cyclone radial engines come to life, filling the air with a deep mechanical rhythm that no modern aircraft can replicate.
As the throttles advance and the aircraft gathers speed, history suddenly feels very present. Every vibration, every exhaust note and every movement across the runway is a reminder that this bomber was designed not for airshows, but for combat over occupied Europe.
A successful take-off is the result of careful coordination between pilots, engineers and ground crew. Although today’s missions are peaceful demonstrations, every departure still follows procedures developed more than eighty years ago. Flying Sally B is not a performance – it is the continuation of an extraordinary legacy.
Inside the Flying Fortress
Stepping into the cockpit of a B-17 Flying Fortress is like stepping back into 1944. There are no digital displays, automated systems or electronic flight management computers – only hundreds of gauges, switches and mechanical controls that demanded constant attention from the crew.
Every engine parameter, fuel transfer, propeller adjustment and navigation task had to be managed manually. Flying a bomber of this size required discipline, teamwork and absolute confidence in every crew member.
Unlike modern aircraft, the B-17 never relied on technology to reduce workload. Instead, success depended entirely on training, communication and experience. The cockpit of Sally B remains one of the most authentic places where visitors can still appreciate the complexity of operating a heavy bomber from the Second World War.
Boeing B-17G Flying Fortress “Sally B” – Flight Deck
Hundreds of analogue instruments and mechanical controls reflect the complexity of operating a four-engine heavy bomber during the Second World War.
© Robert Kysela
Boeing B-17G Flying Fortress “Sally B“
One of the last airworthy Flying Fortresses continues to inspire audiences across Europe.
© Robert Kysela
Boeing B-17G Flying Fortress "Sally B"
To most spectators, Sally B is a beautifully restored historic aircraft. Yet every flight represents something far greater than an air display. As the last airworthy B-17 Flying Fortress based in Europe, she carries the responsibility of preserving a chapter of aviation history that can no longer be recreated.
Watching Sally B climb into the sky is to witness living history in motion. The unmistakable silhouette, the sound of four radial engines and the slow, deliberate grace of a heavy bomber remind audiences of an era that shaped the modern world. Every display flight ensures that this remarkable aircraft remains more than a museum exhibit – it remains an experience.
Peter Kuypers & Elly Sallingboe
Dedicated to preserving Europe’s last airworthy B-17 Flying Fortress.
© Peter Tamblin
The People Behind Sally B
Keeping a seventy-year-old heavy bomber airworthy requires far more than technical expertise. Behind every display flight stands a dedicated team of engineers, volunteers and aviation enthusiasts who invest countless hours preserving one of Europe’s most remarkable historic aircraft.
Under the leadership of Elly Sallingboe and the B-17 Preservation team, Sally B has become far more than a flying exhibit. Every inspection, every maintenance task and every public appearance reflects a shared commitment to honouring the aircraft, its history and the people who once flew missions aboard Flying Fortresses during the Second World War. The continued operation of Sally B depends on passion, experience and public support. Unlike aircraft maintained by military organisations, her future rests largely in the hands of individuals determined to ensure that future generations can continue to see and hear – a genuine B-17 Flying Fortress in flight.
Boeing B-17G Flying Fortress “Sally B”
Europe’s last airworthy B-17 Flying Fortress continues to keep history alive.
© Robert Kysela
Experience the Full Story
Discover the complete story of Europe’s last flying B-17 Flying Fortress through exclusive photography, historic insights and behind-the-scenes reporting. Follow the remarkable journey of Sally B, the people who keep her flying and the legacy she continues to preserve with every flight.