In January of 2009, the Mighty Eighth Air Force Museum welcomed its very own B-17 Flying Fortress. This B-17G was donated to the Museum from the National Air and Space Museum in Washington DC after a decade-long search for this rare heavy bomber. The aircraft, alongside the B-24 Liberator, was flown on combat missions to German targets from 1942-1945. The Museum is pleased to utilize this original aircraft in its educational programs and in its mission to preserve the legacy of the courageous airmen and women who served in the Eighth Air Force. This Flying Fortress is undergoing a complete restoration and is on display inside the Museum’s Combat Gallery. The Museum is restoring its B-17 in honor of the B-17 named City of Savannah. On December 3, 1944 it was the 5000th airplane to be processed through Hunter Army Air Field in Savannah, Georgia during World War II. It was christened prior to its take-off to England to fly combat missions with the 388th Bomb Group, 563rd Squadron of the Eighth Air Force. The B-17 Flying Fortress City of Savannah will be restored to its full combat configuration, including operational systems and components, with the goal of making it the finest static display B-17 in the World.

The B-17 City of Savannah restoration website is dedicated to the men and women of the U.S. Army Eighth Air Force who fought against the Axis powers of Germany, Italy and Japan in World War II. They recognized the dangers inherent in conducting strategic air strikes on select targets of high military importance virtually every day. They repeatedly put themselves in harm's way, and often paid the ultimate price, so that people everywhere could live in freedom. Facing overwhelming odds, they bravely flew against a powerful and relentless enemy as they conducted daylight bombing missions over Europe. The 8AF suffered high losses, yet they persevered and, over time, wore down the Axis powers, eventually turning the odds in their favor.

Their generation played a defining role in the global march of freedom. They taught us that the price of freedom is not cheap. They placed America at the forefront of what was then a combined military effort by enemy forces to achieve world domination. Their determination first to stop and then to repel advancing enemy armies made America the nation that the world looked to as the model of freedom and strength, a nation willing to pay whatever price was necessary in the pursuit of universal freedom.

The volunteers of the City of Savannah project are proud to honor the young men of the Eighth Air Force who flew their bombers into harm's way from 1942 to 1945. This website documents the restoration of the aircraft, its history, and the stories of some of the brave souls who made the B-17 a legend.