One of the many schemes carried by this Fortress since it has been preserved at Eglin. See my 2024 photo as she is now with notes here

This is actually B-17G 44-83863 painted to represent a 96th BG B-17F, that unit being much later reformed as the 96th Test Wing here at Eglin. B-17F 42-3018 as painted was lost after conversion to an 'Aphrodite' flying bomb launched against U-boat pens in September 1944. The B-17G on show was delivered to the USN as PB-1W BuNo 77231 in 1945 and from 1947 was used in AEW testing by VX-4. Later with VC-11 and VW-1 before civilianisation as N6464D in 1957. Used as a fire tanker in the 1960s, becoming N5233V. Preserved at Eglin from 1975

This aircraft has had several different paint schemes since it has been at the museum. This appears to be the only one that has the original USAAF serial number on it.

Painted as 42-30180, but is in fact ex USAAF 44-83863.

4 July '45: TOS USAF as B-17G 44-83863. 11 Jul '45: TOS USN with BuNo 77231 and converted to PB-1W. 2/47: VX-4 and was used to evaluate and develop AEW equipment and procedures. 4/52: VC-11, NAS Miramar, CA. 6/52: VW-1. 10 Jul '56: SOC. 2 Dec '57 to 1971: Several owners with c/r N6464D, including use as firefighter. 1971: C/r N5233V with two companies. June 1975: USAF Armament Museum. Beginning in 2011 it was repainted to olive drab with a new identity.

4 July '45: TOS USAF as B-17G 44-83863. 11 Jul '45: TOS USN with BuNo 77231 and converted to PB-1W. 2/47: VX-4 and was used to evaluate and develop AEW equipment and procedures. 4/52: VC-11, NAS Miramar, CA. 6/52: VW-1. 10 Jul '56: SOC. 2 Dec '57 to 1971: Several owners with c/r N6464D, including use as firefighter. 1971: C/r N5233V with two companies. June 1975: USAF Armament Museum. Beginning in 2011 it was repainted to olive drab with a new identity.

4 July '45: TOS USAF as B-17G 44-83863. 11 Jul '45: TOS USN with BuNo 77231 and converted to PB-1W. 2/47: VX-4 and was used to evaluate and develop AEW equipment and procedures. 4/52: VC-11, NAS Miramar, CA. 6/52: VW-1. 10 Jul '56: SOC. 2 Dec '57 to 1971: Several owners with c/r N6464D, including use as firefighter. 1971: C/r N5233V with two companies. June 1975: USAF Armament Museum. Beginning in 2011 it was repainted to olive drab with a new identity.

Built as a B-17G-95-DL, serial 44-83863, it was transferred to the Navy as a PB-1W, serial 77231. Operated at this time by Aero Ag Inc. for fire suppression, the aircraft was ultimately placed on display at the Air Force Armament Museum, Eglin Air Force Base, Florida.

Built for USAAF in 1945 as B-17G 44-83863. Passed to US Navy as 77231 and modified as PB-1W radar picket serving VX-4, VC-11 and VW-11 squadrons 1945-1954. Sold as N5233V flying with several firms as a fire bomber. Acquired by USAF for display at Eglin, initially wearing spurious '46106' but later its correct 44-83863.