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Pilot Shawn Mulligan stands in front of a B-17 Flying Fortress, the primary U.S. bomber in World War II, that he flies for Erikson Aircraft Collection in Madras, Oregon. Mulligan and the nearly 80-year-old plane were at the Moses Lake Airshow last weekend to show off aviation history, give rides and help foster an interest in airplanes.

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Ye Olde Pub
June 23, 2022 1:20 a.m.

Ye Olde Pub

Flying fortress highlights innovation and rigors of warplanes

MOSES LAKE — There’s a rather famous story behind the name painted on the side of the B-17 Flying Fortress bomber, “Ye Olde Pub,” that sat on a runway at Grant County International Airport for the Moses Lake Airshow on Saturday. “The crew of the airplane, they were on a bombing run over Germany,” said Shawn Mulligan, a professional pilot who flies the elderly bomber in his spare time for air shows. “The aircraft was so badly damaged from anti-aircraft fire, and I think some fighters were after it at one point. They ended up struggling to return to England.” ...