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    This page documents a history of a specific aircraft. The details provided vary from aircraft to aircraft and are dependent on the research and amount of data uploaded to the Aerial Visuals database.

    Airframe Family: Boeing B299 / B-17 Fortress
    Latest Model:PB-1W Fortress
    Last Military Serial:77235 USN
    Construction Number:32513
    Last Civil Registration:N7227C
    Latest Owner or Location:Commemorative Air Force - Gulf Coast Wing, David Wayne Hooks Memorial Airport (DWH), Houston, Texas

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    Dates

    Event

    Constructed as a B-17G-95-DL by Douglas at Long Beach, California, USA.

    12 July 1945

    Taken on Strength/Charge with the United States Army Air Force with s/n 44-83872.

    16 July 1945

    Taken on Strength/Charge with the United States Navy with BuNo 77235 as a PB-1.
    Transferred from USAAF to USN Naval Aircraft Modification Unit at Johnsville, PA.

    December 1946

    Converted to a PB-1W.

    May 1947

    Transferred to Air Test and Evaluation Squadron Four (VX-4), NAS Quonset Point, RI.
    Operated with markings: XD-1

    July 1948

    Base of operations changed.
    NAS Patuxent River, MD.

    1950

    Transferred to NAS Norfolk, VA.
    Assigned for overhaul.

    22 November 1950

    Transferred to Fleet Aircraft Service Squadron (Fasron) 103, NAS Quonset Point, RI.

    January 1952

    Transferred to Air Test and Evaluation Squadron Four (VX-4), NAS Patuxent River, MD.

    18 June 1952

    Transferred to Airborne Early Warning Squadron 2 (VW-2), NAS Patuxent River, MD.
    VX-4 redesignated.

    3 June 1953

    Transferred to NAS Norfolk, VA.
    Assigned for overhaul.

    4 February 1954

    Transferred to Airborne Early Warning Squadron 1 (VW-1), NAS Barbers Point, HI.
    Operated with markings: TE-6

    November 1954

    Markings Applied: TE-12

    From 14 January 1955 to 16 January 1955

    Ferry flight.
    Via NAS Moffett Field, CA to NAS Litchfield, AZ.

    16 January 1955

    Assigned to Litchfield Park NAS, AZ for storage.

    25 August 1955

    Withdrawn from use.

    10 July 1956

    Struck off Strength/Charge from the United States Navy.
    3,357 total hours on airframe.

    1 October 1957

    To Aero Service Corp, Philadelphia, PA with new c/r N7227C.
    Purchased for $17,510 and modified for aerial surveying.

    From Circa November 1957 to 29 December 1961

    Operated by Aeriflex.

    29 December 1961

    To ACS Incorporated keeping c/r N7227C.
    Used as an aerial photographic aircraft.

    1963

    While under contract to the University of Alaska, used to photograph the eclipse of the sun from 31,500 feet (VW-1 Assoc).

    October 1963

    Withdrawn from use.

    July 1966


    Photographer: Neil Aird
    Notes: at N7227C Boeing B-17G Fortress (BuNo77235) Aero Service Corporation used for aerial surveys, at North Philadelphia airport

    2 September 1967

    To Confederate Air Force, Mercedes, TX with new c/r N7227C.
    Purchased for $50,000. Later Based in Harlingen, TX.

    3 June 1972


    Photographer: Peter Nicholson
    Notes: B-17G of the Confederate Air Force receiving loving care and attention at Transpo 72 at Dulles International Airport in June 1972..

    3 June 1972


    Photographer: Peter Nicholson
    Notes: B-17G Flying Fortress, later known as Texas Raiders, of the Confederate Air Force which was present at Transpo 72 at Dulles International Airport in June 1972.

    Circa 16 January 1973


    Photographer: Unknown
    Notes: Photographed at the Great Miami Air Race.

    Circa 28 July 1976


    Photographer: Paul Cicci
    Notes: Photo taken at EAA Airventure, OSH/KOSH. Note lack of turrets before its conversion to a G configuration.

    Circa 7 September 1976


    Photographer: Unknown
    Notes: Photographed at the Reno Air Races.

    Circa 7 September 1976


    Photographer: Unknown
    Notes: Photographed at the Reno Air Races.

    Circa 7 September 1976


    Photographer: Unknown
    Notes: Photographed at the Reno Air Races.

    Circa 18 July 1977


    Photographer: Paul Cicci
    Notes: Photo taken at DuPage County Airport (DPA/KDPA).

    By 23 July 1977

    Markings Applied: TEXAS RAIDERS, KY D, G

    23 July 1977


    Photographer: Glenn Chatfield
    Notes: At the Dayton, Oh, International Air Fair. Note the lack of turrets and G on the tail, as well as old nose insignia.

    23 July 1977


    Photographer: Glenn Chatfield
    Notes: At the Dayton, Oh, International Air Fair. Note the lack of turrets and G on the tail, as well as old nose insignia. KY*D fuselage code

    Circa 9 July 1978


    Photographer: Paul Cicci
    Notes: Photo taken at CAF Harlingen (HRL/KHRL) maintenance hangar.

    August 1978


    Photographer: Gary Maisack
    Notes: Planes of Fames Gathering of Eagles Airshow, Chino, CA

    August 1978


    Photographer: Gary Maisack
    Notes: Planes of Fames Gathering of Eagles Airshow, Chino, CA

    1 June 1979


    Photographer: Mark Kennedy
    Notes: PB-1W (B-17) N7227C at Confederate Air Force Airshow at Scholes Field, Galveston, Tx. June 1, 1979.

    28 October 1979


    Photographer: Peter Nicholson
    Notes: Texas Raiders of the Confederate Air Force seen at their Harlingen base in October 1979.

    Circa 19 June 1980


    Photographer: Paul Cicci
    Notes: On the ramp at CAF headquarters Harlingen (HRL/KHRL), preparing for a mission.

    Circa 25 July 1980


    Photographer: Paul Cicci
    Notes: Photo taken at CAF Harlingen (HRL/KHRL) headquarters.

    By 4 July 1981

    Markings Applied: TEXAS RAIDERS, X PV, L 483872 X

    By 4 July 1981

    Markings Applied: TEXAS RAIDERS, X VP, L 483872 X

    4 July 1981


    Photographer: Glenn Chatfield
    Notes: At Rockford, IL. Note the lack of chin turret

    6 September 1991

    To American Airpower Heritage Flying Museum, Midland, TX keeping c/r N7227C.

    In the inventory of Commemorative Air Force Airpower Museum, Midland International Airport (MAF), Midland, TX.
    View the Location Dossier

    Circa 1993


    Photographer: Ken Videan
    Notes: At EAA Oshkosh.

    By 1993


    Photographer: Corel Photo CD-ROM 1993 (copyright waived by Corel

    By 1993


    Photographer: Corel Photo CD-ROM 1993 (copyright waived by Corel

    By 1993


    Photographer: Corel Photo CD-ROM 1993 (copyright waived by Corel

    19 July 1995


    Photographer: Mike Henniger
    Notes: Photographed at the Dayton International Air and Trade Show at Dayton, Ohio.

    2 June 1999

    Certificate of airworthiness for NL7227C (B-17G, 77235) issued.

    2002

    Operated by Commemorative Air Force-Gulf Coast Wing, David Wayne Hooks Memorial Airport (DWH), Houston, TX.
    View the Location Dossier

    1 January 2002

    Certificate of airworthiness for NL7227C (B-17G, 77235) issued.

    6 August 2010


    Photographer: Mike Henniger
    Notes: Photographed at Thunder Over Michigan in Ypsilanti, Michigan.

    29 October 2016


    Photographer: Tom Tessier
    Notes: At CAF Wings Over Dallas Airshow, Dallas Executive Airport, TX.

    6 October 2017


    Photographer: Tom Tessier
    Notes: At CAF Wings Over Dallas Airshow, Dallas Executive Airport, TX.

    2021

    12 November 2022

    Crashed.
    Involved in a mid-air collision with P-63F USAAF s/n 43-11719 c/r N6763 which resulted in the tail section being severed from the forward fuselage at the waist gunners position. The crew of 5 on board the B-17 perished in the crash that followed the collision.
    For more information about this other airframe see this Airframe Dossier

    12 November 2022


    Photographer: Ryan Short
    Notes: Texas Raiders seen on her final takeoff at Dallas Executive.

    18 July 2023

    Civil registration, N7227C, cancelled.


    Credits
    Data for airframe dossiers come from various sources. The following were used to compile this dossier...

    Internet Sources
    Aerial Visuals - The Locator by Mike Henniger, Senior Editor
    Airbus, Boeing, Convair and Douglas Production List
    Federal Aviation Administration in the United States of America
    United States Military Services Serial Number Lists by Joe Baugher
    Vimeo
    VW-1 All Hands Alumni Association
    Warbird Registry by Scott Rose

    Individual Contributors
    Glenn Chatfield
    Mike Henniger

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