A legendary aircraft and a flying memorial to war heroes is celebrating its 50th anniversary at airshows this year and it is joining the International Sanicole Airshow flying display this year once again: the B-17 Flying Fortress “Sally B”.
Allied bombers played a vital role in weakening the enemy’s industry and infrastructure. For more than 45 years, the Sally B foundation has kept one of the most famous allied bombers airworthy in Europe, the B-17 Flying Fortress. Sally B is the last B-17 flying in Europe and is based at Duxford in the United Kingdom. The aircraft takes its name from the woman driving the foundation, Ellie Sallingboe.
The American B-17 is a huge four-engine bomber armed to the teeth for self-defence against enemy fighters. They had a crew of 10 on board on their daring missions over continental Europe as part of the 8th air force. Without their legendary heroism and the incredible sacrifices made by the crews, the liberation of Europe might not have been possible.
The Sally B foundation aims to honour the memories of the young aircrews by keeping the aircraft flying at airshows in Europe. This requires enormous financial means which have to be raised continuously to keep this piece of living history accessible. It has been the star of European airshows since 1975 so the aircraft is celebrating its 50th anniversary as a flying memorial.
Come join the celebration and honour those who gave their lives in the sky over Europe during the Second World War flying these magnificent flying machines.
