B-17G 'Shady Lady', P-38 Lightning Expected To Fly Again

When the Collings Foundation made a deal to acquire the Evergreen Museum in McMinnville, OR, the deal came with several warbirds that will join the Foundation's stable of airworthy aircraft.

Warbirdwatcher.com reports that the foundation will be restoring the museum's B-17G "Shady Lady" and a P-38 Lightning to flying condition. According to Collings Foundation president Rob Collings, the P-38 should be flying again sometime next year, while the B-17 should be airworthy again in 2017.

Collings said that the P-38 needs some mechanical work simply because it has been idle on static display for such a long time, as well as some minor cosmetic work. He also said that there are currently no plans to install a second seat.

When "Shady Lady" is flying again, it will allow the foundation to do necessary work on its existing B-17 "Nine-O-Nine" that are currently on hold because  of the "Wings of Freedom" tour schedule.

With the museum acquisition, the foundation also acquired a P-40 Warhawk, which is likely to fly again, according to Collings. A Bf-109 was also part of the package, but Collings said it has issues that will prevent it from being restored to airworthy condition. It's static restoration will be completed, Collings said.

(Images provided by the Evergreen Museum)

FMI: www.collingsfoundation.org