The Bomber has been a landmark in Milwaukie, Oregon (a Portland suburb), for more than half a century. A young WWII pilot decided to open a gas station in Milwaukie in 1947 and wanted a sales gimmick, so bought this B-17G bomber from an Air Force base in Oklahoma and flew it to Portland. It presided over the largest filling station in the US during the 1960s, with 40 pumps, until its closure in 1991. The aircraft has since been associated with the adjacent Bomber restaurant.

I first saw The Bomber in the 1980s, when it was still an operating gas station and when the plane was still complete. I was shocked to see it yesterday as it had been partially dismantled and was serving as a home for birds. It apparently is slated for restoration and display in Aurora, Oregon. Such a sad ending to this wonderful fixture of downtown Milwaukie!

For a more complete history and some great photographs, go to http://www.pdxhistory.com/html/bomber_service.html