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‘Aluminum Overcast' making local stop
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More than 60 years and one million miles of air travel have gone by, but there's no sign of its final landing yet.
Aluminum Overcast, a B-17 bomber, is coming to Jefferson City Memorial Airport Tuesday and Wednesday as part of the Experimental Aircraft Association's (EAA) “Salute to Veterans” national tour. Before and during World War II, B-17s were top-of-the-line aircrafts. The Boeing Aircraft Company began production of a four-engine heavy bomber in 1934.
Nearly 10 years later, the B-17G model was mass produced with 8,680 aircrafts. At the end of the war, 4,735 were lost in combat.
Though the Aluminum Overcast never saw action because it was delivered too late, it is seeing plenty now.
It has been preserved by the EAA since 1983 and has traveled all over the nation and has helped aircraft enthusiasts, veterans and children partially relive the era when it makes stops on its national tour.
The aircraft was bought by a group willing to preserve it in 1978. It was then donated to EAA in 1981 where it was on display until its national tour took off in 1994.
Some of the original military equipment has been restored and includes communication equipment, flooring and wait guns. There are fewer than 100 B-17s currently in flying condition.
When the B-17 stops in Jefferson City, 30-minute rides will be offered. Flights will begin at 9:30 a.m. and end at 12:30 p.m. on both days. Ground tours will be available after flights have been completed.
For more information, visit www.eaa.org.
Aluminum Overcast, a B-17 bomber, is coming to Jefferson City Memorial Airport Tuesday and Wednesday as part of the Experimental Aircraft Association's (EAA) “Salute to Veterans” national tour. Before and during World War II, B-17s were top-of-the-line aircrafts. The Boeing Aircraft Company began production of a four-engine heavy bomber in 1934.
Nearly 10 years later, the B-17G model was mass produced with 8,680 aircrafts. At the end of the war, 4,735 were lost in combat.
Though the Aluminum Overcast never saw action because it was delivered too late, it is seeing plenty now.
It has been preserved by the EAA since 1983 and has traveled all over the nation and has helped aircraft enthusiasts, veterans and children partially relive the era when it makes stops on its national tour.
The aircraft was bought by a group willing to preserve it in 1978. It was then donated to EAA in 1981 where it was on display until its national tour took off in 1994.
Some of the original military equipment has been restored and includes communication equipment, flooring and wait guns. There are fewer than 100 B-17s currently in flying condition.
When the B-17 stops in Jefferson City, 30-minute rides will be offered. Flights will begin at 9:30 a.m. and end at 12:30 p.m. on both days. Ground tours will be available after flights have been completed.
For more information, visit www.eaa.org.
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TheRickster wrote on Jul 7, 2008 7:48 AM: