B-17 Pink Lady grounded at La Ferté-Alais

The world's only airworthy combat-veteran Boeing B-17G, 44-8846 F-AZDX Pink Lady, arrived at the grass airfield at La Ferté-Alais near Paris on March 19, at the end of what may well be its last flight.

The bomber has been operated by Forteresse Toujours Volante for the past 25 years, based at Paris-Orly and Melun. Increased insurance costs have threatened to ground Pink Lady for the past few years: it was only an involvement in the new George Lucas Film Redtails in April 2009 that earned a reprieve to fly displays last season. A "1939—45 Memorial" hangar will now be built to house the B-17, which will be maintained in airworthy condition so that it may fly again if circumstances should permit.

See May's Aeroplane magazine for more news.