"Aluminum Overcast" To Visit Tuesday And Wednesday

On Tuesday, October 12th and Wednesday October 13th, The EAA's B-17G Flying Fortress "Aluminum Overcast" will be in the upstate region of South Carolina as part of the EAA's 2010 "Salute to Veterans" national tour.  Its' restoration took more than 10 years and thousands of hours by dedicated staff and volunteers at EAA Oshkosh, Wisconsin, headquarters.

B-17 Aluminum Overcast

B-17s are considered one of the greatest military airplanes ever built and one of the best-known aircraft types of the World War II era.  The B-17 received the name "Flying Fortress" from a Seattle reporter who commented on its defensive firepower. The B-17 underwent a number of improvements over its 10-year production span. Models ranged from the YB-17 to the B-17-G model. The final B-17 production model, the B-17G, was produced in larger quantities (8,680) than any previous model.

Between 1935 and May of 1945, 12,732 B-17s were produced. In the years following World War II, most B-17s were cut up for scrap, used in Air Force research or sold on the surplus market.  Today, fewer than 100 B-17 airframes exist and less than 15 of them are in flyable condition.

"The national tour EAA undertakes each year has become the nation's most popular way to learn about this unique aircraft in an up-close way," said Rod Hightower, EAA President. "EAA is dedicated to preserving aviation's magnificent heritage and our B-17 tours are a major part of that. This year, we also take great pride in saluting all our nation's veterans through this tour."

Self-guided ground tours will be offered daily from 1400 to 1700. The cost is $5 per adult, $15 per family or free for active Military and Veterans.  The airplane's crew will be available to answer questions.

Half hour flight "missions" will be available.  Members of the EAA Warbirds of America, who are experienced in World War II airplane operations, will pilot the airplane during these flights. Proceeds from the tours and flights help EAA keep "Aluminum Overcast" flying and assist in its continuing restoration, maintenance and preservation.

FMI: www.eaa.org, www.GreenvilleDowntownAirport.com