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."