Aluminum Overcast
The Bomber Service Station
Original Location: 13745 SW McLoughlin Blvd Oak Grove Oregon
Original Location: 13745 SW McLoughlin Blvd Oak Grove Oregon
Second Location: 13515 SE McLoughlin Blvd Oak Grove Oregon
Type of Aircraft: Boeing B-17
Name of Aircraft: Lady Lacey
Cost of first B-17 (crashed): $13,700
Name of Aircraft: Lady Lacey
Cost of first B-17 (crashed): $13,700
Cost of second B-17: $1500
Opened: July 5 1947
Grand opening: July 27 1947
The Bomber Service Station
The Bomber Service Station was a gas station founded in 1947 in Oak Grove, Oregon by Art Lacy. At its peak, in the 1960's, it was the largest, single volume, independent gas station in the US boasting 40 gas pumps, a restaurant, a 15 unit motel, and other businesses. The Bomber stopped pumping gas in 1991. In 2014, the B-17 aircraft was removed and taken to Salem Municipal Airport for restoration. Today, the restaurant and motel remain open. Fred Meyer currently operates a gas station adjacent to and south of the 3.5 acre Bomber complex.Lacy Lady B-17 Fact Sheet
B-17G-105-VE Flying Fortress
Serial # 44-85790
Built by Vega under contract for Boeing
Delivered to US Army
Cost: $238,329
Crew: 10
Length: 74 feet
Wingspan: 104 feet
Empty Weight: 36,000 pounds
Loaded with Bombs, fuel and Crew: 54,000 pounds
Max Speed: 287 miles/hour or 249 knots
Guns: 13 50cal machine guns
Bombs: 8000 pounds (short range mission) 4500 (long range)
1947 The Bomber Gas Station Opens
In 1947, Art Lacey traveled to Altus Air Force Base in Oklahoma to purchase a surplus B-17 bomber to use as a canopy for a new gas station in Oak Grove, Oregon. Lacy thought a bomber would be a fantastic road side attraction for a service station. It was a great idea, problem was, how to get the plane to his gas station site. He bought a bomber for $13,700 and took off to get used to flying the plane. He promptly crash landed it. He was then sold a second plane for $1500 and he and another pilot familiar with the B-17, flew the plane to Troutdale, Oregon. After failed attempts to obtain legal permits thru the State Highway Dept and the Governor of Oregon to transport the plane to Milwaukie, he finally just did it on his own. He dismantled the aircraft into 4 pieces and loaded it onto trailers. He did this on a Saturday morning at 2am with 4 trucks and an escort from 2 motorcycles. He was cited $10 for not having proper permit. Once at his service station, he used cranes to reassemble and hoist the plane on concrete pylons to be perched above his gas pumps. The station opened on July 5, 1947. On Sunday, July 27 1947, the mayor of Milwaukie dedicated Lacy's service station. After that, the service station grew into a successful business, peaking in the late 60's and early 70's. |
| The Bomber circa 1947. Note the shorter pylons that support the aircraft. There's only 3 or them, one for each wheel of the landing gear. Check out the 'co pilot' in the photo. That must have been fun sitting in that seat. |
Soon after the bomber was placed at the gas station, steep wooden stairways were built to allow customers to access the plane and look around on the inside. Eventually, these stairways would be removed due to liability and patrons taking 'souvenirs' of the airplane home with them.
It is estimated that between 1947 and 1955, approximately 1 million people toured the B-17.
1955 Stairways to Plane Removed
In 1955, a child fell from one of the wooden stairways and was injured when they hit the ground. This event prompted the removal of both wooden stairways and ended open access and inspection of the plane to the public.
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| Art Lacey and his crew of service station attendants. Circa 1961. |
1967 The Bomber Moves to New Location
In 1967, the Bomber gas station and aircraft were relocated 2 blocks north to the current location. The plane was placed on a steel support system that put the plane higher and gave more clearance for trucks when refueling. Note the difference between the original concrete pylons and the rectangular steel framework.
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| Art Lacey pictured in 1967 during the relocation of his Bomber Service Station. Here the plane is being lifted by a crane to be placed on huge pylons. Note the size and configuration of the pylons compared to the smaller, original pylons at his first location. These pylons are part of a rectangular framework to support the aircraft. The plane sat higher with more clearance than original location. What a great look at the belly of the plane. |
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The Bomber 1990
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| Photo taken May 2017 |
1982-83 McLoughlin Gas War
In 1982, a fierce gas war erupted on McLoughlin Blvd. It was cutthroat in nature and threatened the survival of the gas stations. The price war was instigated by an ARCO station in downtown Milwaukie, selling gas at below cost. Neighboring Chevron and Astro stations were forced to lower their prices to compete with ARCO. Exxon and Texaco followed suit. It hurt the Bomber because the large chain gas stations affiliated with the major oil companies could acquire their gas cheaper while at same time, have some of their maintenance and insurance costs covered. The competitors near the Bomber could sell their gas cheaper than the Bomber, plus their operating expenses were lower. This was due to the Bomber being an independent gas station. Over time, the cheaper prices began to siphon away customers and business from the Bomber and it decreased profits. To make things worse, omnipresent environmental responsibility for gas stations was increasing, along with costs of permits, annual testing and compliance with DEQ and EPA agencies. Add to it, competing gas stations were offering cash/mini serve prices and some gas stations began operating small stores to boost revenue. It all spelled doom for the Bomber.
In 1982, a fierce gas war erupted on McLoughlin Blvd. It was cutthroat in nature and threatened the survival of the gas stations. The price war was instigated by an ARCO station in downtown Milwaukie, selling gas at below cost. Neighboring Chevron and Astro stations were forced to lower their prices to compete with ARCO. Exxon and Texaco followed suit. It hurt the Bomber because the large chain gas stations affiliated with the major oil companies could acquire their gas cheaper while at same time, have some of their maintenance and insurance costs covered. The competitors near the Bomber could sell their gas cheaper than the Bomber, plus their operating expenses were lower. This was due to the Bomber being an independent gas station. Over time, the cheaper prices began to siphon away customers and business from the Bomber and it decreased profits. To make things worse, omnipresent environmental responsibility for gas stations was increasing, along with costs of permits, annual testing and compliance with DEQ and EPA agencies. Add to it, competing gas stations were offering cash/mini serve prices and some gas stations began operating small stores to boost revenue. It all spelled doom for the Bomber.
At its peak in the 60's and early 70's (before Oil Embargo of 1973), the Bomber sold 6 million gallons of fuel/year. On a good day, the Bomber could sell 30,000 gallons of gas.
In 1990, it pumped only 1.2 million gallons of gas. That equates to a decrease in 80% of business revenues over a period of 17 years, a devastating decline in sales for any business.
1991 The Bomber Stops Pumping Gas
In 1991, The Bomber was running low on fuel. Facing increasing competition from falling gas prices, increased operating costs and steep costs to replace underground fuel tanks, the Bomber gas station made a business decision and closed. In 1996, an effort to save and restore the B-17 was started. It continues to this day.
1996 B-17 Bomber Alliance
In the years following the closure of the gas station, the Lacy family began to view the B-17 bomber less as a road side attraction for their service station/restaurant and more of a valuable WWII artifact that deserved restoration and preservation. With this in mind, the B-17 Alliance was formed to restore the B-17 to flight worthy condition as well as preserve the history of WWII and keep the legacy of the aircraft alive. The Lacy Lady is currently under full restoration in Salem, Oregon.
In 1990, it pumped only 1.2 million gallons of gas. That equates to a decrease in 80% of business revenues over a period of 17 years, a devastating decline in sales for any business.
1991 The Bomber Stops Pumping Gas
In 1991, The Bomber was running low on fuel. Facing increasing competition from falling gas prices, increased operating costs and steep costs to replace underground fuel tanks, the Bomber gas station made a business decision and closed. In 1996, an effort to save and restore the B-17 was started. It continues to this day.
1996 B-17 Bomber Alliance
In the years following the closure of the gas station, the Lacy family began to view the B-17 bomber less as a road side attraction for their service station/restaurant and more of a valuable WWII artifact that deserved restoration and preservation. With this in mind, the B-17 Alliance was formed to restore the B-17 to flight worthy condition as well as preserve the history of WWII and keep the legacy of the aircraft alive. The Lacy Lady is currently under full restoration in Salem, Oregon.
The Bomber Time Line
1947 Art Lacy buys plane and establishes Bomber Service Station
1948 The Bomber Restaurant opens
1948 The Bomber Restaurant opens
1949 2 television sets are displayed at station
1967 Gas station and plane moved to current location
1970 Bomber Motel offers rooms for $47.50/week
1967 Gas station and plane moved to current location
1970 Bomber Motel offers rooms for $47.50/week
1983 Gas price war on McLoughlin steals customers from The Bomber
1991 The Bomber stops pumping gas
1996 B-17 Alliance formed
1998 Underground fuel tanks removed at cost of $475,000
2000 Art Lacy dies
2008 Birdine Lacey dies
2011 Fred Meyer gas station built
1991 The Bomber stops pumping gas
1996 B-17 Alliance formed
1998 Underground fuel tanks removed at cost of $475,000
2000 Art Lacy dies
2008 Birdine Lacey dies
2011 Fred Meyer gas station built
