Photographer Jose Ramos captured these two shots of the B-17 “Texas Raiders” arriving at this year’s SUN ‘n FUN. [Read more…]
‘Aluminum Overcast’ takes starring role in new movie
By Deborah Grigsby Smith, Centennial Airport
While a majority of B-17s made their way to Europe during World War II, one hit the U.S. Army Air Corps inventory too late to ever see military action.
However, thanks to a compelling love story and a Colorado filmmaker, the “Aluminum Overcast,” a 1945 B-17G Flying Fortress, will finally fulfill its destined role of strategic bomber over Nazi-occupied Europe, albeit some 70 years late — and as what some might call the ultimate movie “prop.”
FilmIt Productions founder and executive producer Darla Rae stumbled on to the extraordinary connection in late October when the Experimental Aircraft Association’s B-17 made its annual stop in Englewood, Colorado, at Centennial Airport. [Read more…]
A family affair
A family of aviators from the Houston area will be front and center on Father’s Day weekend at David Wayne Hooks Airport in Spring, Texas.
Crewing the B-17 Flying Fortress “Texas Raiders,” which belongs to the Commemorative Air Force, the Doggett family of Humble, Texas, will celebrate Father’s Day by helping host a Warbird weekend and open house at the local airport. [Read more…]
Pacific Aviation Museum to commemorate The Battle of Midway
HONOLULU – Marking the 72nd anniversary of the turning point of World War II, Pacific Aviation Museum Pearl Harbor will present a special program June 7 featuring Curator and Author Burl Burlingame and the museum’s Restoration Manager Jim Martinelli.
NC EAA chapter to host B-17
SALISBURY, N.C. — The Rowan Area Experimental Aircraft Association Chapter 1083 has been chosen to host the EAA’s Restored B-17 “Aluminum Overcast” for its visit at the Rowan County Airport (RUQ) from Nov. 4-8.
Museum offers B-17 ground school
SEATTLE — On May 18 and 19, The Museum of Flight will be offering a two-day course about the iconic, World War II Boeing B-17 bomber. The “ground school” will familiarize participants in the design, construction, operation and performance of the aircraft and includes a flight in the Experimental Aircraft Association’s B-17, “Aluminum Overcast” (pictured below). [Read more…]
Airshow to feature B-17 bomber
A fourth aerobatics act has been added to The Wings over Waukesha Air Show, as former US Air Force A-10 pilot Jim Leavelle will be performing in his T-6, along with Jim “Fang” Maroney Super Chipmunk aerobatics, Dave Dacy-Tony Kazian wingwalking, and Dr. Bill Blank Super Decathlon aerobatics.
The airshow, which will be held Aug. 25 and 26, at the Waukesha County Airport (UES) in Wisconsin, also will feature the Experimental Aircraft Association’s B-17 “Aluminum Overcast” bomber from World War II, which will offer rides and tours.
‘Sentinmental Journey’ at Lewis-Clark Air Festival
The World War II B-17G bomber, “Sentimental Journey,” will be on display and available for rides and tours from Aug. 9-13, at the Lewis-Clark Air Festival in Lewiston, Idaho.
EAA’s B-17 damaged by hail
A freak hailstorm that hit late last Wednesday while the Experimental Aircraft Association’s B-17 “Aluminum Overcast” was parked on the ramp outside Signature Flight Service at Denver’s Centennial Airport caused extensive control surface damage. EAA officials report the airframe will not require repair, but that was not the case for the fabric-covered ailerons and elevators. Read more here.
WWII bomber crews at Fantasy of Flight
Everyone knows how World War II ended, but many people have never before heard personal, firsthand accounts of the men and women who lived through it. On Friday, April 13, and Saturday, April 14, Fantasy of Flight will continue its Legends & Legacies Symposium Series with “Unspoken Valor: The Bomber Crews of World War II.”