WARBIRD REGISTRY > B-17 FLYING FORTRESS REGISTRY > PREVIOUS PAGE

B-17 FLYING FORTRESS/44-85813

44-85813 in use by Black Hills Aviation, pre-1969.

Serial #: 44-85813
Construction #:
  8722 (-VE)
Civil Registration:
  N6694C

Model(s):
  B-17G Flying Fortress
  EB-17G Flying Fortress
  JB-17G Flying Fortress
  Model 299Z
Name: Champaign Lady
Status: Restoration
Last info: 2017

History:
Delivered to USAAF as 44-85813.
Curtiss-Wright Corp, Caldwell, NJ, October 1945-1957
- Leased.
- Converted to Model 299Z by Boeing, Wichita, KS, 1946.
-- Equipped with fifth engine in nose.
- Air tested XT-35 turboprop series starting September 1947.
- Tested J65 Saphire jet, 1950-1951.
Curtiss-Wright Corp, Woodbridge, CT, August 30, 1957-1966.
- Registered as N6694C.
- Wright R3350 in nose for propeller research.
- T-64-G Turbine with 6 bladed propellor installed by 1965.
Ewing Aviation Co, San Ramon, CA, December 1, 1966-1969.
Ewing-Kolb Aircraft, Spearfish, SD, August 15, 1969-1970.
Arnold Kolb/Black Hills Aviation, Spearfish, SD, July 30, 1970-1980.
- Later Alamogordo, NM,.
- Rebuilt Spearfish, 1969-1970.
- Fitted with Standard forward fuselage (from 44-83316).
- Flew as tanker #C12, #12.
- Crashed while firebombing, Bear Pen, NC, April 16, 1980.
Tom Reilly Vintage Aircraft, Kissimee, FL, 1985-1990.
- Wreckage used as parts source for 44-85734/N5111N
Champaign Aviation Museum, Urbana, OH, 2006-2017.
- Under restoration to airworthy.
- Using parts and remains 44-83722
- Known as Champaign Lady.