HOUSTON – The Lone Star Flight Museum is selling its B-17 Flying Fortress “Thunderbird” to the Mid America Flight Museum in Mount Pleasant, Texas.
As part of the deal, Mid America has agreed to display Thunderbird at Lone Star’s facility at Houston’s Ellington Airport for several months each year through 2024.
Mid America has also agreed to make other aircraft from its collection available for display at Lone Star Flight Museum during the same time period.
The move of the B-17 later this spring to Mount Pleasant ensures it will remain in Texas, museum officials noted.
The continued presence of the B-17 and access to Mid America’s collection of historically significant aircraft enables Lone Star to create new programs and events around the visiting aircraft and promote the mission of both museums, officials explained.
“While we are sad that Thunderbird will be leaving us, the opportunity with this effort is the promise of a long and great relationship between two Texas flight museums that share interests and priorities,” said Lone Star President & Chief Executive Officer Doug Owens, Lt. Gen. (ret.). “We have had the privilege to care for this wonderful B-17 and know it is going to a great museum that will do for it just as the many mechanics, volunteers and pilots have done here at LSFM over the last 30 plus years. “
Bob Waltrip, founder and Chairman Emeritus of the Lone Star Flight Museum, added, “I bought Thunderbird in 1987 and donated it to Lone Star to be one of the initial aircraft in the museum’s collection. To sell such an iconic part of the museum’s history is a bittersweet occasion. But times change and the museum must change with them. I am excited about the great promise offered by the museum’s relationship with Mid America. Even more, I am excited about the future of our museum and the role it will continue to play in honoring the rich aviation heritage of Texas and inspiring the young people in our community.”
“The addition of the B-17 Flying Fortress to the fleet we have in Mount Pleasant is the realization of our long-term goal,” said Scott Glover, founder of Mid America Flight Museum. “We believe this aircraft will be a big draw to an already wonderful collection of historic aircraft, and it allows us to continue our mission to honor the Greatest Generation with this incredible aircraft.”
Separate to the purchase of the B-17, Glover has donated a rare Lockheed Howard 250 Tri-Gear that was designed by Texas Aviation Hall of Fame member Dee Howard to the Lone Star Flight Museum. The Howard 250 will arrive at Lone Star’s facility in the spring of 2021.