Press release 04/21/11
EAA B-17 Flying Fortress
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE.
The Experimental Aircraft Association’s historic World War Two B-17 Flying Fortress aircraft is coming to Nebraska, landing in Lincoln NE at the Lincoln Airport on Tuesday and Wednesday, July 12 & 13, 2011.
Each summer this rare airplane makes a nationwide tour giving the American public the opportunity to look at, touch, feel, listen to, smell, walk around, crawl through and ride in one of the most significant military aircraft in American history.
The aircraft that was to become known as the B-17 was designed in the early 1930’s by the Boeing Company as their submission to an Army Air Corps design competition for a new long range bomber. A newspaper reporter, upon seeing the many guns the craft carried, gave it its’ name – The Flying Fortress. The new design was a quantum leap forward in the aeronautical technology of the time. Eventually many thousands were built and the plane went on to become the most utilized bomber in the air war over Europe.
The EAA’s B-17 was one of the last built, near the end of the war, too late to see action. It was sold as surplus for a ridiculously low price and went through numerous uses and several owners before it was donated to the EAA. Thousands of volunteer hours and a great deal of expense have been lavished on the on the aircraft to restore it to its wartime configuration. The nickname, Aluminum Overcast, and paint scheme are from an actual combat aircraft.
Each afternoon of the exhibition, The B-17 will be available for close-up inspection and ground tours. Inside the plane you will find all of the equipment that would have been in a combat bomber over Europe in 1944. The ground tours are $5.00 per person with discounts for children, families and groups.
Each morning a few lucky individuals will have the opportunity to ride in Aluminum Overcast. Once airborne, you can unbuckle and visit the flight deck and the many crew battle stations. Don’t miss taking a few minutes to ride in the bombardier’s station in the Plexiglas nose bowl – the view is fantastic. Flight missions cost $399.00 each for EAA members and $439.00 for non members, if booked in advance.
However you experience Aluminum Overcast, you will be left with a deep appreciation and a profound sense of gratitude for those young men who, long ago, sacrificed their youth and often their lives to protect the way of life that we enjoy today.
Book your adventure in living history by calling 800-359-6217. Complete information is available at www.b17.org. The local information number is 402-274-7070 and www.eaa569.org.
