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Boeing RB-17G Flying Fortress 531
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Boeing RB-17G Flying Fortress 531
CIA / Air America - Boeing RB-17G Flying Fortress 531 (msn 8440, ex ). at Clark Field in the Philippines, either before, or after, covert missions over Tibet. B-17s were used by the CIA front companies Civil Air Transport, Air America and Intermountain Aviation for special missions. These included B-17G These aircraft were primarily used for agent drop missions over the People's Republic of China, flying from Taiwan, with Taiwanese crews. In 1957 the surviving B-17s had been stripped of all weapons and painted black. One of these Taiwan-based B-17s was flown to Clark Air Base in the Philippines in mid-September, assigned for covert missions into Tibet, flying from Kurmitola airfield (Dhaka airport) in East Pakistan (Bangladesh). On return to Clark Field this aircraft was disassembled and later scrapped. (The B-17G registered N809Z was associated with this aircraft but this was the result of a disinformation ruse). Date: 1957
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Media ID 32264482
© The Peter Butt Aviation Collection / Mary Evans Picture Library
1957 Agent Airfield Airport Assigned B 17g Bangladesh Boeing Clark Companies Covert Crews Drop Flown Fortress Included Missions Pakistan Peoples Philippines Primarily Registered Result Return Ruse Scrapped Special Stripped Surviving Taiwan Taiwanese Tibet Base Dhaka Disassembled Weapons
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EDITORS COMMENTS
In this evocative photograph, the silhouette of a Boeing RB-17G Flying Fortress, identified as 531 (msn 8440, ex 44-85531), stands proud against the backdrop of Clark Field in the Philippines. This historic aircraft holds a unique place in aviation history, having served a clandestine role in covert operations for the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) during the late 1950s. Before or after its missions over Tibet, this B-17G was part of a fleet operated by CIA front companies such as Civil Air Transport, Air America, and Intermountain Aviation. These organizations employed the versatile B-17s for special missions primarily focused on agent drop operations over the People's Republic of China, with crews based in Taiwan. In 1957, with the end of these covert operations, the surviving B-17s were stripped of their weapons and repainted in black. One such Taiwan-based B-17, 44-85531, was transported to Clark Air Base in the Philippines for further clandestine assignments. These missions originated from Kurmitola airfield, now known as Dhaka airport, in East Pakistan (present-day Bangladesh). Upon completion of its clandestine duties, the aircraft was disassembled and later scrapped. It is important to note that another B-17G, registered N809Z, is sometimes incorrectly associated with this aircraft due to disinformation efforts. This photograph, from The Peter Butt Aviation Collection at Mary Evans Prints Online, captures a significant moment in the history of aviation and intelligence operations.
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