Dates

Event

Constructed as a B-17G-85-DL by Douglas at Long Beach, California, USA.

7 April 1945

Taken on Strength/Charge with the United States Army Air Force with s/n 44-83563.
Delivered to Hunter Army Air Field, GA.

Circa April 1945

Transferred to Patterson Army Air Field, OH.

Circa June 1945

Transferred to Philippines.

Converted to a CB-17G.

27 July 1945

Used by Gen Jimmy Doolitle at Kadena, Okinawa on 27 July 1945 as Boops.

18 September 1947

Taken on Strength/Charge with the United States Air Force with s/n 44-83563.

Converted to a VB-17G.

1952

Returned the USA for overhaul.

1952

Transferred to 6000th Base Service Group, Japan.

1955

Transferred to Patterson Field, OH.

Circa 1956

Assigned to Davis-Monthan AFB, AZ for storage.

18 August 1959

To American Compressed Steel, Cincinnati OH.

9 May 1960

To Aero American Corp, Tucson AZ with new c/r N9563Z.

From 11 October 1961 to June 1962

Leased to Columbia Pictures Inc, New York NY.

18 October 1961

Ferried to England - for movie - The War Lover.

Markings Applied: 41-27742 / DF-T

June 1962

Ferry flight.
Arrived back at Ryan Field AZ and stored.

26 March 1963

To Aviation Specialties Inc, Mesa AZ keeping c/r N9563Z.
Used as a fire tanker.

Operated as fire service #E24.

Operated as fire service #C24.

Operated as fire service #24.

Operated as fire service #89.

3 February 1969

Flown to Hawaii and used in the filming of Tora, Tora, Tora.

21 September 1974

Photographer: eLaReF
Notes: At Mesa Falcon Field, Arizona

October 1979

Photographer: Geoff Goodall
Notes: Aircraft Specialties Inc had fitted their Boeing B-17G N9563Z fire tanker #89 as a sprayer when seen at Mesa AZ in October 1979

18 February 1982

To Globe Air Inc, Mesa AZ keeping c/r N9563Z.
Markings added: 89

19 April 1984

Photographer: Mike Henniger
Notes: Photographed at Mesa, AZ.

24 October 1985

To National Warplane Museum, Geneseo, NY.
View the Location Dossier

1987

Photographer: Tom Robert Collection

1987

Photographer: Tom Roberts Collection
Notes: Photographed at Geneseo, NY.

1987

Photographer: Tom Roberts Collection
Notes: Photographed at Geneseo, NY.

July 1987

Photographer: Tom Roberts Collection

Markings Applied: Fuddy Duddy, K, 297400, E

Circa 1990

Photographer: Unknown

22 June 1992

Photographer: Glenn Chatfield
Notes: At Geneseo, NY, National Warplane Museum

22 June 1992

Photographer: Glenn Chatfield
Notes: At Geneseo, NY, National Warplane Museum

25 April 1993

Photographer: Robert Abbott
Notes: Photo was taken at the 1993 NAS Norfolk Air Show Note: c/n 32204

25 April 1993

Photographer: Robert Abbott
Notes: c/n 32204

22 July 1995

Photographer: Glenn Chatfield
Notes: At DuPage Airport, West Chicago, IL

11 August 1997

Certificate of airworthiness for NL9563Z (B-17G, 83563) issued.

21 May 1999

To National Warplane Museum, Horseheads, NY keeping c/r N9563Z.

Based at Wings of Eagles Discovery Center, Elmira, Horseheads, NY.
View the Location Dossier

July 2005

Photographer: David Miller
Notes: At Oshkosh

December 2005

To General William Lyons.
Sold by the museum to Mr. Lyons.

28 December 2005

To Martin Aviation Inc, Santa Ana, CA keeping c/r N9563Z.

28 December 2005

Based at Lyon Air Museum, John Wayne International Airport (Orange County Airport), Santa Ana, CA.
View the Location Dossier

23 February 2006

Certificate of airworthiness for NL9563Z (B-17G, 83563) issued.

1 January 2011

Certificate of airworthiness for NL9563Z (B-17G, 83563) issued.

Circa 1 January 2011

To National Warplane Museum, Horseheads, NY keeping c/r N9563Z.

22 May 2013

To Martin Aviation Inc, Santa Ana, CA keeping c/r N9563Z.

5 June 2013

Photographer: Terry Fletcher
Notes: At the Lyon Museum, John Wayne Airport, California

21 July 2018

Photographer: Tom Tessier
Notes: At Lyon Air Museum, John Wayne Airport, Santa Ana, CA.