there has been a strong bond between the USA and France for a couple hundred years, and in 1971, France gifted a B17 to the USA, the Shoo Shoo Shoo Baby came home for a restoration, and to have the nose art painted back on by the original artist, Tony Starcer

Above in 1944, 

Below, in 1979

In 1955, the Babb Company of New York purchased “Shoo Shoo Baby” and resold her [for profit] to the Institute Geographique National in Paris, France. She flew as a survey aircraft until 15 July 1961. As a friendship gesture the French gave the B-17 to the U.S. Air Force in 1971. She was disassembled, crated, and flown to Ohio in a C-5 transport, arriving in May 1972. From June 1972 until July 1978 she remained in 27 crates at the Air Force Museum at Dayton. In 1979, the 512th MAW at Dover, Air Force Base began the task of restoring the B-17G to her WWII condition.

https://forgottenhobby.wordpress.com/2015/01/13/decals-will-have-to-wait-update/