An Oregon service station using a B-17 as a roof!

[elagache]

Dear mid-60s Buick enthusiasts of car lore,

While not Buick-related, this should be a story that appeals to all car guys . . . .

In the latest issue of the National Model Railroad Association magazine, there is an award winner who created the following service station in HO Scale:



It is a well crafted model and this fellow won a few more awards this year.  You can see all he did on this website:

http://www.foxvalleydivision.org/fvd2016/imagesfvd2016/modeltpix/allencontest/allencontestpix.html

I was curious what was the prototype to this gas station.  However, attempting to find a Flying A gas station with a DC 3 turned up nothing.  Using some more vague terms led to what I think was the original inspiration for the model.  It turns out that a bold man by the name of Art Lacey decided to buy himself a surplus B-17 and use it to cover his gas station:



Click on the image for a large view.

It had all sorts of troubles getting the plane to his gas station as are described in this article:

http://offbeatoregon.com/1601d.bomber-gas-station-375.html

Even so, the plane covered the pumps for an amazing 63 years!



Click on the image for a large view.

Even so the story would make more more twist.  In 1996 the very same B-17 that seemed worth no more than an elaborate roof was now a very rare plane that appeared to be comparatively easy to restore.  So the plane was taken down and there is an active effort to return it to flying condition:

http://www.b17alliancegroup.com/the-art-lacey-story.html

The story isn't quite over yet, but it does seem to be headed for a happy ending for all!  The only sad thing is that we can no longer fill up our Buicks under the wings of B-17.  That's a picture I would love to have!

Enjoy!

Edouard 

[Mister T]

Great story Edouard!    Wish I'd known about this plane's existance when I used to truck into that area years ago.  

I had the pleasure of flying aboard one of those few remaining flight worthy B-17's in July, courtesy of the EAA. Which reminds me that my commemorative jacket is ready for pick up.   

[Loren At 65GS]

Thanks Edouard !

 I appreciate your effort to search a bit further and relay the story to us.

  Loren

[elagache]

Dear Tom, Loren, and mid-60s Buick fans of car stuff,

I appreciate your effort to search a bit further and relay the story to us.

Honestly, I was simply curious how that guy came up with that model railroad model, so I kept digging until I found a real gas station that at the same feature.  Once I found it, the story was too good to share!

I suspect that the model uses a DC 3 instead of B 17 because there isn't a model of the B 17 in HO scale.

Cheers, Edouard