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Wednesday, April 29, 2015

Milwaukie #14: Lacey’s Bomber Restaurant

13515 SE McLoughlin Boulevard

IMG_3863 Lacey's Bomber Restaurant in Milwaukie, Oregon on September 27, 2008
Lacey’s Bomber Restaurant on September 27, 2008

The Bomber was a Portland area landmark: a B-17G Flying Fortress that has been here since 1947, originally sheltering a 40-pump gas station.

IMG_3864 Lacey's Bomber Restaurant in Milwaukie, Oregon on September 27, 2008
Lacey’s Bomber Restaurant on September 27, 2008

After local pilot and gas station owner Art Lacey accepted a $5 bet that he couldn't install such a plane over his station, he spent $13,750 to purchase this war-surplus Flying Fortress (one of the last built; the war ended before it could be put into service) and flew it from Oklahoma to Oregon.

IMG_3866 Lacey's Bomber Restaurant in Milwaukie, Oregon on September 27, 2008
Lacey’s Bomber Restaurant on September 27, 2008

The Bomber was installed over the gas station in 1947, and a Drive In was added in 1948.

IMG_3867 Lacey's Bomber Restaurant in Milwaukie, Oregon on September 27, 2008
Lacey’s Bomber Restaurant on September 27, 2008

The gas station closed in 1991, and the B-17 has been under restoration since 1996.

IMG_2352 B-17 Turret at Lacey's Bomber Restaurant in Milwaukie, Oregon on July 27, 2008
B-17 Turret at Lacey’s Bomber Restaurant on July 27, 2008

The Bomber has its own World War II museum, which contains a gun turret and the restored nose section of the B-17.

IMG_2351 Restored B-17 Nose at Lacey's Bomber Restaurant in Milwaukie, Oregon on July 27, 2008
B-17 Nose at Lacey’s Bomber Restaurant on July 27, 2008

Restoration of the cockpit section began in Aurora, Oregon, with plans to put sections on display as they were restored until all sections were complete and the plane could be fully reassembled.

IMG_3865 Lacey's Bomber Restaurant Sign in Milwaukie, Oregon on September 27, 2008
Lacey’s Bomber Restaurant Sign on September 27, 2008

In August 2014, the B-17 was removed from its pedestal and moved to Salem for a complete restoration to flying condition.

Continue to 15: Ledding Library & Scott Park

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