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To view previous years News, please visit the News Archive
Celebrating 50 years of Sally B On 16 March, we marked a truly historic milestone—50 years since Sally B first touched down at Duxford in 1975. That moment, when she arrived, was the start of an incredible journey, to become the beloved aircraft she is today— and for all that time has been and still is a flying memorial, a great symbol of history, and a tribute to those young men who lost their lives to save ours. Over the past five decades, keeping Sally B in the air has been no small feat. She has faced challenges, from financial struggles to technical setbacks, but through it all, one thing has remained constant: the unwavering support of her dedicated team and loyal supporters. Without you—our volunteers, engineers, sponsors, and members—this incredible aircraft would not still be flying today. It is because of your generosity, hard work, and passion that she continues to grace the skies, inspiring generations, young and old. This anniversary is not just about looking back—it is also about looking forward. I remain as committed as ever to keeping Sally B flying for as long as possible, ensuring that the memory of the brave young men who flew B-17s during the Second World War is never forgotten. We will be celebrating throughout the display season at airshows and wherever we fly – a list of 2025 events will be on our website within the next few weeks. Members' long-awaited Sally B News will be published in April with much more information about the latest on our beloved aircraft and this very special year. Elly Sallingboe ------------------------------------------------------------- Message from B-17 Operator Elly Sallingboe Today we received the great news from the CAA that our aircraft is again airworthy AND allowed to fly! You will recall that five weeks ago the American FAA issued an airworthiness directive (AD) to B-17 Operators, to check the main spar fittings for cracks, meaning that all flying B-17’s were grounded. This happened a few days before the beginning of the 2023 flying season, and although we were disappointed, we had no other choice than to ground the aircraft and do the checks. Because Sally B had left her winter home in hangar T2 North at IWM Duxford a few weeks earlier, we now urgently needed hangar space to complete the checks. And guess what - the Imperial War Museum came to our rescue allowing our B-17 into their vast Airspace Hangar, thank You IWM. Once inside, the volunteer Sally B engineering team led by Chief Engineer Daryl Taplin and his deputy Steve Carter stepped up, and soon the wing spar was ready to be inspected by the “Non-Destructive Testing” specialists After a lot of work, the Engineering Team finished the structural repairs on the wing and wing ribs – a massive job. The results containing the great news were then sent to the CAA and the FAA, who today gave us the go-ahead and our aircraft is now airworthy again. Thank You, all of you who made this happen. Our B-17’s first flight will be test flying and crew training at Duxford and Cambridge tomorrow, Friday 23 June, followed by the Duxford Summer air show on 24 and 25 June. A full list of shows can be found on our website under Flying programme. ------------------------------------------------------------- Update statement by B-17 Operator Elly Sallingboe on the impending FAA B-17 AD
23 May 2023 After careful consideration it has now been decided to ground our beloved B-17 until the ongoing wing spar issue is sorted. As I write this, we are working flat out to complete this difficult task, helped by our devoted team and many friends. Thank you IWM Duxford for giving us space in the AirSpace Hangar to carry out the required work. More news will follow shortly. ------------------------------------------------------------- Statement by B-17 Operator Elly Sallingboe on the impending FAA B-17 AD Many of you will have heard the rumours about the impending FAA mandatory Airworthiness Directive (AD) on the wing spar issues on all airworthy B-17s. In the meantime, our Chief Engineer, Daryl Taplin, is in contact with the FAA, the CAA, and some US B-17 Operators via the B-17 Co-op. As I write this, we hope that the 2023 season will go ahead as planned. Sally B will leave the hangar at Duxford by the middle of May for engine ground runs followed by test flying and crew training a few weeks later. Her first display is on the 27 May, followed by our tribute to the many at the American Military Cemetery, Madingley on Memorial Day. The wing spar and the spar caps have been the subject of earlier AD’s for more than twenty years. Each winter, our engineers complete a comprehensive CAA-approved check with the help of NDT (Non-Destructive Testing) specialist Kearsley Airways. Also, our pilots have flown Sally B very gently, with low G loads for many decades. We trust that our B-17 is structurally sound and can hopefully fly for many more years.
Elly Sallingboe
Sally B over Madingley Military Cemetery - credit Simon Howell
------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Tribute to Ted White at Biggin Hill On the 22 June 1982 Ted White, founder of B-17 Preservation was killed along with his close friend Mark Campbell when Ted’s Harvard G-ELLY crashed in Malta. In his memory Sally B’s starboard inner engine cowling will always carry the same black and yellow chequered markings as his Harvard. Elly Sallingboe
Ted's Harvard in perfect formation with Sally B - 1981
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------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 1 December 2017 It is difficult to comprehend that another display season for our B-17 has passed into history. It was wet, but overall a very good season. Members will read all about it in the latest Sally B news magazine now on its way. If you are not a member, why not join us today! But, I would like to tell you about this just released little book “Sally B… & ME!”, about Sally B and the lady who keeps her in the air. It tells the story of an extraordinary 40 years journey, against all the odds, and shares the history of this amazing aircraft! Designed as a children’s book to keep the memory alive, to teach future generations the importance of the B-17’s role during WWII and tells how This beautifully illustrated book is perfectly sized for small hands to hold and is priced at just £5.99. For each book sold to the public, a donation will be made to Sally B via its registered Charity – the B-17 Charitable True. You can order your copy online, direct from www.fairyfayepublications.co.uk/shop or you can buy it from www.waterstones.com and www.amazon.co.uk and it will soon be
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A tribute to Sally B’s greatest supporter by B-17 Operator and Team Leader Elly Sallingboe 4th March 2014 The close knit Sally B family were deeply saddened by news of the untimely death of Trustee and Sales Team Leader Derek Smith, who passed away on the evening of the 1st of March following a long illness.
With inspiration, vision and tenacity Derek kept the sales team together for almost three decades. No one has a better team than Sally B and that was very much thanks to Derek’s superb leadership. His zeal for keeping Sally B flying took him away from home most weekends but he was fortunate to have a strong and loving family who supported his passion. His knowledge of the history of aviation in the Second World War, particularly the various Bomb Groups of the US 8th Army Air Force, was vast. In 2007 Derek, with the help of Cliff Bishop, wrote the book “Pictorial Tribute to the Men and Aircraft of the 447th Bombardment Group (H) 1943 – 1945”. A second book followed in 2012 with co-author Malcolm Osborn “A Photo History of the 486th Bombardment Group (Heavy)”. Derek was always held in great esteem by fellow Sally B volunteers as a much loved and dedicated team leader. He adored his team and through sickness and health he was always there for all of us, and gave his all to keeping Sally B flying. Our aircraft could not have had a better ambassador, nor could it have been better represented. Derek was an inspiration and a huge part of Sally B.
Those of you who knew Derek will understand just how dreadfully he will be missed and we will cherish his memory – always! Our hearts go out to Derek’s amazing wife June, daughters Carole and Teresa and grandchildren Carly, Genna, Sam, Lauren and Connor whose loss is by far the greatest. We raise our heads, scan the sky and salute you Derek Derek Smith’s funeral was on Monday 17th March 2014
To view previous years News, please visit the News Archive |
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Derek had been involved with Sally B for almost as long as she has been in the UK. It all began at Great Leigh’s, Chelmsford in 1984 when he first saw the aircraft fly. He joined the Sally B Supporters Club there and then and immediately began helping the late Betty Roberts and her husband David running what was then a small support stall. From then on, Derek’s involvement rapidly increased - from dedicated member to heading the sales team. In 2000 he was invited to become a Trustee of the B-17 Charitable Trust in appreciation of his absolute dedication to Sally B and all she stands for.-here-at-Goodwood-Revival-2011.gif)