World War II Bomber Offers Unique Historical Experience

“It’s an iconic piece of American History that comes to your town,” says B-17 pilot Neil Morrison of EAA’s B-17 ‘Aluminum Overcast’. Normally viewed behind velvet ropes, the B-17 was a heavy bomber in WWII. With EAA's touring B-17, however, the public can take rides or ground tours in and around the 74 foot long aircraft.

Out of the 12,732 manufactured, there are less than 15 B-17s able to fly today, and only here you can watch it land; hear the 1200 horsepower, nine cylinder radials; smell oil burning in the exhaust. In flight, participants can climb through the bomb bay, cockpit, bombardier's station, radio room, and waist gunner position. Two pilots are always on board to control the 65,000 pound taildragger, but they are happy to let people peer over their shoulders. At the quadrupled instruments-one for each engine.

Rides in Aluminum Overcast cost $409 for EAA members, and $449 for non-members. Walk-up prices increase by $30.

Ground tours are another great way to see the B-17. Participants look in and around the B-17 on a tour led by one of the Aluminum Overcast staff. Tours are $10 for adults and $20 for a family. Children under eight and all military personnel are free.

Aluminum Overcast was delivered to the Army Air Corps in May of 1945, too late to see action in the war. The first owner purchased it for $750 dollars and used it for mapping, pest control, and various other things. It was then bought by a group working to restore B-17s in 1978, who donated it to the EAA in 1983.

Aluminum Overcast is kept at Appleton airport during AirVenture, about 20 miles north of KOSH. Flights operate out of Appleton daily, and normally include a flight over AirVenture. The B-17 lands at Oshkosh once a day in the late afternoon for a press flight and then returns to Appleton for the night.

Online registration is closed for AirVenture now, but walk-ups are welcome and can normally be seated sometime in the day.

(Staff image)

FMI: https://www.eaa.org/en/eaa/flight-experiences/aluminum-overcast-eaa-b-17-bomber-tour