Returns to the Sky at EAA AirVenture Oshkosh 2004

Through a special arrangement that allows a well-known B-17 bomber to return to the sky, the Experimental Aircraft Association's hugely popular national B-17 tour will be back in the air beginning at the annual EAA AirVenture Oshkosh fly-in, scheduled for July 27-August 2 at Wittman Regional Airport in Oshkosh. The return comes less than three months after the tour was temporarily halted when a gear malfunction sidelined EAA's B-17 "Aluminum Overcast."

The tour will continue with the famed B-17 "Fuddy Duddy," which will fly through an EAA partnership with the Wings of Eagles Discovery Center (formerly the National Warplane Museum) in Elmira (NY). The museum's B-17 will fly during EAA AirVenture Oshkosh 2004, then pick up the regularly scheduled late-summer and fall tour stops throughout the country.

"We are extremely pleased to continue EAA's 'Salute to Veterans' B-17 tour and bring a fabled aircraft of World War II to aviation enthusiasts throughout the nation," said Adam Smith, EAA AirVenture Museum Director, who is in charge of the annual B-17 national tours. "EAA was determined not to disappoint those who were looking forward to seeing this aircraft later this summer and into the fall. Through the generous cooperation of the Wings of Eagles Discovery Center, EAA was able to continue the tour while getting another of these magnificent aircraft back into the air. As the EAA Warbirds of America motto proclaims, we were dedicated to 'Keep 'em Flying.'"

 The B-17 "Fuddy Duddy" had been flown until about two years ago, and had been on display at the Wings of Eagles Discovery Center since that time. The aircraft is painted in the markings of the original Fuddy Duddy, an 8th Air Force B-17G assigned to the 708th Bomb Squadron, 447th Bomb Group. It is fully equipped for passenger flights.

"This airplane, like 'Aluminum Overcast,' is a national treasure," said Lee Robbins, Wings of Eagles President and a longtime EAA member. "We're thrilled to have an opportunity to share it again with citizens throughout the nation. We could not have done this without EAA's help."

The airplane will be available for flights during EAA AirVenture Oshkosh 2004, with reservations currently accepted at 800-359-6217 or via EAA's B-17 web site. Following its appearance in Oshkosh, "Fuddy Duddy" will pick up the "Salute to Veterans" tour and visit many of the locations originally scheduled for the late summer/fall segment of the 2004 tour. Exact tour stops and dates will be announced as the schedule is confirmed.

 "Aluminum Overcast" sustained some damage when its landing gear collapsed following a safe landing at Van Nuys, Calif., on May 5. Currently, EAA plans to fly the aircraft back to Oshkosh, fully restore it and return it to flying condition.

"Based on the response, support and interest we've received over the past month, we're excited to be restarting the B-17 'Salute to Veterans' tour at EAA AirVenture," said EAA President Tom Poberezny. "While that's happening, work is proceeding on Aluminum Overcast to bring it back to flight status. We're focused on two things - getting Aluminum Overcast fixed and back good as new, and maintaining our commitments for the rest of our B-17 tour with Fuddy Duddy, beginning at EAA AirVenture Oshkosh."

FMI: www.b17.org