PRESS RELEASE – Pooler, Ga. – Tomorrow at 1:00 PM, the National Museum of the Mighty Eighth Air Force will officially dedicate its fully-restored Boeing B-17G Flying Fortress “City of Savannah”. This achievement follows more than six years of painstaking restoration work by museum volunteers since they acquired the aircraft from the Smithsonian’s National Air & Space Museum in 2009. The January 28th dedication is no coincidence, as it also marks the 73rd anniversary for the activation of the Eighth Air Force during WWII in Savannah, Georgia. This monumental occasion will include an official dedication program, with various speakers and military dignitaries, including Major General Scott A. Vander Hamm, the current Eighth Air Force Commander. Along with honoring the many people who made the restoration possible, WWII veterans will be recognized as well, including many who served with B-17s. Family members of the crewmen who served in the original “City of Savannah” are also expected to attend. A light reception will follow the dedication service.
“City of Savannah” has a long history, being named after a brave crew and the city in which the Mighty Eighth Air Force originated. The restoration has involved more than 60,000 hours of labor from a team of over 140 volunteers. The museum’s volunteers have worked together with other volunteers, interns, engineers, designers and instructors representing corporations and schools such as Gulfstream Aerospace, Chroma Corporation, LMI, Savannah Tech and others. The aircraft, when completed, will be in its original combat configuration with radios and gun turrets in working order and available for demonstration. The museum is justifiably proud of their achievement and is thankful for the countless hours, teamwork and expertise offered by the many people who contributed to this restoration.
Henry Skipper, the museum’s President and CEO, predicts that their B-17 will be a huge draw and stand as one of the best examples of restored WWII-era aircraft in the world. “City of Savannah is being dedicated as a symbol of the immeasurable contribution and sacrifice of the men of the 8th Air Force in WWII. The project is a great example of teamwork between the many volunteers and the museum staff to get this job done, and done at the highest level. People from all over the world will have the opportunity to view this iconic airplane and learn the history of the 8th Air Force by visiting this great museum.”
About the National Museum of the Mighty Eighth Air Force:
The National Museum of the Mighty Eighth Air Force preserves the stories of courage, character and patriotism displayed by the men and women of the Eighth Air Force from WWII to the present day. Minutes from Historic Savannah, the museum is located at 175 Bourne Avenue in Pooler and is open daily from 9:00 AM until 5:00 PM, except on New Year’s Day, Easter, Thanksgiving and Christmas. For more information, visit www.mightyeighth.org or call (912) 748-8888.
Picture Gallery.
[inpost_galleria thumb_width=”200″ thumb_height=”200″ post_id=”17467″ thumb_margin_left=”3″ thumb_margin_bottom=”0″ thumb_border_radius=”2″ thumb_shadow=”0 1px 4px rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.2)” id=”” random=”0″ group=”0″ border=”” show_in_popup=”0″ album_cover=”” album_cover_width=”200″ album_cover_height=”200″ popup_width=”800″ popup_max_height=”600″ popup_title=”Gallery” type=”yoxview” sc_id=”sc1422380079231″]
I am very proud my dad jack Nilsen is a part of restoration project for 5 years
Love Kim veloce
I was very proud to attend the dedication of the B-17, accompanying my uncle, Ken Scott, who flew P-51 Mustangs, that escorted and defended the B-17.
Congratulations to all the volunteers and workers who restored “City of Savannah”
Thank you to the volunteers, workers, and the Mighty 8th museum for restoring this B-17. It will be a great testament to the sacrifice of the greatest generation. My father, M. O. Steward served as ball turret gunner on the original City of Savannah on a mission over Augsburg, Germany. I hope to visit this museum in the near future.
My uncle Lloyd C. Sanford was the flight engineer and dorsal turret gunner on the original “City of Savannah”. The story of her demise, and of Lloyds subsequent tale of survival and capture is amazing. I could not be more proud of him.
As a historian, airplane geek and professional modeler, I am astounded by the restoration everyone has done, capturing the “City of Savannah” in her glory. My congratulations, and thank you to everyone that made this possible.