History Aluminum Overcast

aluminum overcast during 1 of periodic overhauls, 2005

its next role in aerial application first chris stolzfus , associates in 1962, , dothan aviation corporation in 1966, aircraft had chemical hopper , spray bars fitted under wings. after operating pest control, forest dusting , fire fighting aircraft, aircraft wound postwar career in 1976.

in 1978, dr. bill harrison, heading b-17s around world , funded purchase of aircraft, had been parked in open storage in dothan, alabama 2 years. renamed aluminum overcast, name commemorates 601st bomb squadron, 398th bomb group (heavy) s b-17g #42-102516 shot down on 34th combat mission on le manoir, france, on 13 august 1944. veterans of 398th bomber group helped finance bomber s restoration. harrison s group restored b-17 near-wartime appearance, although no armament installed, , flew aircraft @ numerous air shows across united states. financing maintenance , further restoration became difficult, more ambitious plans, such around-the-world goodwill flight, shelved.

eaa

nose art redone in 1988



aluminum overcast for

denver , front range

denventure 2007 tour stop

at centennial airport, co, 2007.

on 21 may 1979, group donated aircraft experimental aircraft association (eaa) aviation foundation, under auspices of b-17 historical society. aluminum overcast put on display until 1983, before began 10-year restoration. extensive work involved rebuilding of interior stations, including radio compartment, waist gunners stations, tail turret , navigator s station, , replacing cabin flooring, locating original equipment such norden bombsight. authentic components not available, realistic replicas, such new-manufacture top turret, substituted. while aircraft 95 percent authentic, recreating configuration in 1945 when rolled off assembly line, concessions technological improvements such modern radio , avionics suite incorporated meet current airworthiness requirements.

sent eaa’s kermit weeks flight research center in florida in 1993, aircraft prepared first tour, began in 1994. @ present, of 48 surviving b-17s, there 11 such b-17s still flying, aluminum overcast, high-time leader, logging 6,000 flight hours 1969. when aluminum overcast on tours, flying extensively throughout united states , canada, serves eaa s showcase aircraft. during typical 60-city tour, flights interspersed opportunities visitors walk through aircraft. connection wartime b-17 maintained through involvement of many eaa volunteers, of whom have personal connection period. 1 of initial flight crew col harold hal weekley (ret d), had flown original namesake shot down on france. half-hour flights available @ tour stops, proceeds tour helping keep aluminum overcast flying , assisting in continuing restoration, maintenance , preservation efforts of eaa.

as fitted out, aluminum overcast has 1 studebaker 1820 , 3 curtiss-wright 1820-97 engines. paint scheme redone in 1988 , features flat aluminum metallic flake paint. aluminum overcast based @ air adventure museum eagle hangar in wittman regional airport (osh), oshkosh, wisconsin. aircraft s annual multi-city tour scheduled spring through fall, maintenance scheduled winter months.