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
N3154S
Construction #:
8722 (-VE)
Civil Registration:
N6694C
N3154S
Model(s):
B-17G Flying Fortress
EB-17G Flying Fortress
JB-17G Flying Fortress
Model 299Z
Name: Champaign Lady
Status: Restoration
Last info: 2025
B-17G Flying Fortress
EB-17G Flying Fortress
JB-17G Flying Fortress
Model 299Z
Name: Champaign Lady
Status: Restoration
Last info: 2025
History:
Delivered to United States Army Air Force as 44-85813.
- BOC: N/A
- SOC: N/A
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.
- Delivered to Spearfish, SD with rounded nose cap.
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 on take-off for firebombing sortie, Bear Pen, NC, April 16, 1980.
Tom Reilly Vintage Aircraft, Kissimee, FL, 1985-2005.
- Wreckage used as parts source for 44-85734/N5111N
Jerry Shiffer/B-17 Project Inc, Urbana-Grimes Field, OH, 2005-2007.
- Remaining components used in 10 year rebuild to fly of 44-83722 at Urbana-Grimes Field
- First trailer load of components arrived at Urbana from Kissimmee, November 29, 2005.
Tech II, Springfield, OH, February 26, 2007-2016.
- Registered as N3154S.
- Restoration to airworthy at Urbana-Grimes Field, OH continued.
Champaign Aviation Museum, Urbana, OH, July 27, 2016-2025.
- Under restoration to airworthy.
- Using parts and remains of 44-83722
- Known as Champaign Lady.
Delivered to United States Army Air Force as 44-85813.
- BOC: N/A
- SOC: N/A
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.
- Delivered to Spearfish, SD with rounded nose cap.
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 on take-off for firebombing sortie, Bear Pen, NC, April 16, 1980.
Tom Reilly Vintage Aircraft, Kissimee, FL, 1985-2005.
- Wreckage used as parts source for 44-85734/N5111N
Jerry Shiffer/B-17 Project Inc, Urbana-Grimes Field, OH, 2005-2007.
- Remaining components used in 10 year rebuild to fly of 44-83722 at Urbana-Grimes Field
- First trailer load of components arrived at Urbana from Kissimmee, November 29, 2005.
Tech II, Springfield, OH, February 26, 2007-2016.
- Registered as N3154S.
- Restoration to airworthy at Urbana-Grimes Field, OH continued.
Champaign Aviation Museum, Urbana, OH, July 27, 2016-2025.
- Under restoration to airworthy.
- Using parts and remains of 44-83722
- Known as Champaign Lady.
Source(s):
Chapman, John & Goodall, Geoff, Edited by Paul Coggan - Warbirds Directory,Warbirds Worldwide Ltd., Mansfield, England, 1989.
Goodall, Geoff - Warbirds Directory-4th Edition, 2003.
Goodall, Geoff - Warbirds Directory-6th Edition, 2025.
Chapman, John & Goodall, Geoff, Edited by Paul Coggan - Warbirds Directory,Warbirds Worldwide Ltd., Mansfield, England, 1989.
Goodall, Geoff - Warbirds Directory-4th Edition, 2003.
Goodall, Geoff - Warbirds Directory-6th Edition, 2025.
Photo Source(s):
Matt Gunsch
Research Assistance:
Pat Carry
Matt Gunsch
Research Assistance:
Pat Carry
