By STEVE ZUGER
Plumes of blue-gray smoke from vintage aircraft engines and an enthusiastic BBQ team melded together to help set an exciting mood for a very unique birthday party in 2022.
The Salem, Oregon-based B-17 Alliance Foundation held a 75th Birthday Bash for its B-17, “The Lacey Lady,” during the last week of August 2022.
The foundation’s B-17G has the lowest flight time of any Flying Fortress in existence and is a well-known legend in the Pacific Northwest and beyond. Way beyond, thanks to Art Lacey of Milwaukee, Oregon.
“My grandfather, Art Lacey, rescued this B-17G from the military scrap yard in Altus, Oklahoma, and somehow managed to fly it to Oregon in 1947,” explained Jason Scott, Art’s grandson. “Family lore suggests he did it for two reasons. First, he thought a bomber would make a great, if not eyebrow-raising, canopy for his gas station. Second, a friend bet him $5 it could not be done. Suffice to say, my grandfather raised more than a few eyebrows and his friend lost the bet.”
The B-17G was eventually mounted above a 40-pump gas station, giving birth to a Pacific Northwest legend as the Gas Station Bomber.
The gas station is long gone, but the Flying Fortress is now in the loving care of the B-17 Alliance Foundation in a hangar at McNary Field Airport (KSLE) in Salem, Oregon, with a museum attached.
Though currently disassembled, the aircraft is under long-term restoration to flying condition.
Billed as a living history experience, the birthday hoopla was a fly-in, drive-in, bring your family kind of event. The week-long celebration included the Freedom Riders, a motorcycle group paying tribute to veterans, a Native American presentation, a tribute to veterans, and a Happy Hour that included speeches from pilots and support crew of the Flying Legends Tour, who brought the B-17 “Sentimental Journey” and the B-25 “Maid In The Shade” to the birthday bash.
During the weekend there were rides and ground tours in these two aircraft that are flown by the Commemorative Air Force’s Airbase Arizona.
While the B-17 Alliance Foundation’s museum and restoration hangar is small, it is a must see for aviators. You will be pleasantly surprised.
As a boy I remember climbing up into this plane to sit in the pilots seat and pretend to fly bombing missions over Germany. Now I am excited to watch the restoration progress and hope to see her fly again.
Secret sauce on the bomber burger, PEANUT BUTTER. Loved that burger and Art always greeted you with his stories.
Got gas there over the years. Always marveled at the B-17
Same, remember the bomber over fuel pumps in 70’s drove by often when delivering products to K Mart, Fred Meyre, etc.