On display at RAF Museum Hendon. Built in July 1945, this USAAF B-17G was transferred to the USN as BuNo. 77233 to serve as a land-based AEW aircraft. It was equipped with an AN/APS-20 search radar and flew as a PB-1W with VPW-1 in support of the Pacific Fleet and with VW-2 in the Atlantic Fleet. Struck off charge in 1956, it was converted to a firefighting tanker in the 1960s. It was restored to military configuration and ferried from California to the UK via Lajes in 1983. The aircraft wears the markings of 332nd BS, 94th BG(H) based at Bury St. Edmunds.

The aircraft was built in July 1945 by Douglas Aircraft Corporation, Long Beach, California. Displayed at Hendon from December 1983.

This particular aircraft actually served in the USN with VX-4 as 77233 being one of 20 brand new B-17Gs allocated to the Cadillac II programme (land-based long-range Airborne Early Warning, command and control system) until replaced by WV-2 Warning Stars. In 1956 she was converted to a water bomber and flew with Butler Aviation as N5237V. After acquisition by the RAF Museum she was converted to 1944 USAAF configuration and displayed in markings representing the 94th BG, 8th AF based at Bury St. Edmunds.

Generally I dislike when mannequins are displayed alongside preserved aircraft. In this case, however, I think it works well!