Aluminum Overcast
Encyclopedia
Aluminum Overcast, B-17G-105-VE, s/n 44-85740, civil registration N5017N, is one of only a few surviving
B-17 Flying Fortresses in existence. It is owned by the Experimental Aircraft Association
(EAA), and it tours the U.S.A. and Canada offering flight experiences. Although never amassing a combat record, and barely escaping the fate of many aircraft that were scrapped after World War II
, Aluminum Overcast has become one of the most recognizable examples of the type, due to its extensive touring schedule with over one million flight miles accumulated. The painstaking overhaul and restoration of the airframe took more than 10 years and thousands of hours by dedicated staff and volunteers at EAA Oshkosh, Wisconsin, headquarters. Through its association as the "flagship" of the EAA, the aircraft has become a living reminder of World War II aviation for many years to come. Aluminum Overcast proudly carries the colors of the 398th Bomb Group of World War II, which flew hundreds of missions over Nazi-held territory during the war. Aluminum Overcast commemorates B-17G AAF Serial No. 42-102515, shot down over France in 1944.
on 7 November 1945 where, stripped of all military equipment, it was sold as "scrap" for $750 in 1946 to Metal Products. The aircraft was rescued from its fate when resold shortly after to Universal Aviation, for use as an aerial mapping platform, acquiring civil registration N5017N.
In 1947, the Vero Beach Import and Export Company purchased "740" to serve as a cargo hauler, hauling cattle in Florida and Puerto Rico, a role that necessitated removing the original radio compartment and floor, replacing it with a strengthened floor. In 1949, Aero Service Corporation bought the aircraft and turned it back into an aerial photography and surveying platform. In this role, during the next 12 years, the B-17 carried out mapping operations over Arabia, Libya, Lebanon, Iran, Laos, Vietnam, Cambodia, Egypt and Jordan.
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Its next role was in aerial application with first Chris Stolzhus and Associates in 1962, and then Dothan Aviation Corporation in 1966, where "740" had a chemical hopper and spray bars fitted under the wings. After operating as a pest control, forest dusting and fire fighting aircraft, the aircraft wound up its postwar career in 1976.
In 1978, Dr. Bill Harrison, heading up "B-17s Around the World", funded the purchase of the aircraft, which had been parked in open storage in Dothan, Alabama
for two years. Renamed Aluminum Overcast, the name commemorates the 601st Bomb Squadron, 398th Bomb Group (Heavy)
's B-17G #42-102516 that was shot down on its 34th combat mission over Le Manoir
, France, on 13 August 1944. Veterans of the 398th BG helped finance the bomber's restoration. Harrison's group restored the B-17 to a near-wartime appearance, although no armament was installed, and flew the aircraft at numerous airshows across the United States. As financing for maintenance and further restoration became difficult, more ambitious plans, such as an around-the-world goodwill flight, were shelved.
On 21 May 1979, the group donated the aircraft to the Experimental Aircraft Association (EAA) Aviation Foundation, under the auspices of the B-17 Historical Society. Aluminum Overcast was put on display until 1983, before it began a 10-year restoration. The extensive work involved the rebuilding of all the interior stations, including the radio compartment, waist gunners' stations, tail turret and navigator's station, and replacing the cabin flooring, as well as locating original equipment such as the Norden bombsight. Where authentic components were not available, realistic replicas, such as the new-manufacture top turret, were substituted. While the aircraft is about 95 percent authentic, recreating the configuration in 1945 when it rolled off the assembly line, concessions to technological improvements such as a modern radio and avionics suite are incorporated to meet the current airworthiness requirements.
Sent to the EAA’s Kermit Weeks
Flight Research Center
in Florida in 1993, the aircraft was prepared for its first tour, which began in 1994. At present, of the 48 surviving B-17s, there are only 11 such B-17s still flying, with Aluminum Overcast, the high-time leader, already logging 6,000 flight hours by 1969. When Aluminum Overcast is on tours, flying extensively throughout the USA and Canada, it serves as the EAA's showcase aircraft and has already flown thousands of veterans and aviation enthusiasts. During a typical 60-city tour, flights are interspersed with opportunities for visitors to actually walk through the aircraft. The connection to the wartime B-17 is maintained through the involvement of many EAA volunteers, some of whom have a personal connection to the period. One of the initial flight crew was Col Harold "Hal" Weekley (ret'd), who had flown the original namesake that was shot down over France. Half-hour flights are also available at all tour stops, with proceeds from the tour helping to keep Aluminum Overcast flying and assisting in the continuing restoration, maintenance and preservation efforts of EAA.
As currently fitted out, Aluminum Overcast has one Studebaker
1820 and three Curtiss-Wright
1820-97 engines. Its paint scheme was redone in 1988 and now features a flat aluminum metallic flake paint
.
Aluminum Overcast is presently based at the Air Adventure Museum Eagle Hangar in Wittman Regional Airport
(OSH), Oshkosh, Wisconsin. The aircraft's annual multi-city tour is scheduled for spring through fall, with maintenance scheduled for the winter months.
Boeing B-17 Survivors
The Boeing B-17 Flying Fortress is a four-engine heavy bomber aircraft primarily employed by the United States Army Air Forces during World War II. Developed by Boeing, a total of 12,731 aircraft had been produced by Boeing, Douglas and Lockheed from 1936 until 1945...
B-17 Flying Fortresses in existence. It is owned by the Experimental Aircraft Association
Experimental Aircraft Association
The Experimental Aircraft Association is an international organization of aviation enthusiasts based in Oshkosh, Wisconsin. Since its inception it has grown internationally with over 160,000 members and about 1,000 chapters worldwide....
(EAA), and it tours the U.S.A. and Canada offering flight experiences. Although never amassing a combat record, and barely escaping the fate of many aircraft that were scrapped after World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
, Aluminum Overcast has become one of the most recognizable examples of the type, due to its extensive touring schedule with over one million flight miles accumulated. The painstaking overhaul and restoration of the airframe took more than 10 years and thousands of hours by dedicated staff and volunteers at EAA Oshkosh, Wisconsin, headquarters. Through its association as the "flagship" of the EAA, the aircraft has become a living reminder of World War II aviation for many years to come. Aluminum Overcast proudly carries the colors of the 398th Bomb Group of World War II, which flew hundreds of missions over Nazi-held territory during the war. Aluminum Overcast commemorates B-17G AAF Serial No. 42-102515, shot down over France in 1944.
History
B-17G-105-VE, 44-85740 was built by the Vega Division of Lockheed Aircraft Company and delivered to the U.S. Army Air Corps on 18 May 1945, too late to serve in Europe where most B-17s were destined. Declared surplus and initially stored in New York, the aircraft was sent to Altus, OklahomaAltus, Oklahoma
Altus is a city in Jackson County, Oklahoma, United States. The population was 19,813 at the 2010 census. It is the county seat of Jackson County....
on 7 November 1945 where, stripped of all military equipment, it was sold as "scrap" for $750 in 1946 to Metal Products. The aircraft was rescued from its fate when resold shortly after to Universal Aviation, for use as an aerial mapping platform, acquiring civil registration N5017N.
In 1947, the Vero Beach Import and Export Company purchased "740" to serve as a cargo hauler, hauling cattle in Florida and Puerto Rico, a role that necessitated removing the original radio compartment and floor, replacing it with a strengthened floor. In 1949, Aero Service Corporation bought the aircraft and turned it back into an aerial photography and surveying platform. In this role, during the next 12 years, the B-17 carried out mapping operations over Arabia, Libya, Lebanon, Iran, Laos, Vietnam, Cambodia, Egypt and Jordan.
In 1978, Dr. Bill Harrison, heading up "B-17s Around the World", funded the purchase of the aircraft, which had been parked in open storage in Dothan, Alabama
Dothan, Alabama
Dothan is a city located in the southeastern corner of the US state of Alabama, situated approximately west of the Georgia state line and north of Florida. It is the seat of Houston County, with portions extending into nearby Dale County and Henry County...
for two years. Renamed Aluminum Overcast, the name commemorates the 601st Bomb Squadron, 398th Bomb Group (Heavy)
398th Air Expeditionary Group
The 398th Air Expeditionary Group is a provisional United States Air Force unit assigned to the United States Air Forces in Europe. The 398 AEG may be activated or inactivated at any time....
's B-17G #42-102516 that was shot down on its 34th combat mission over Le Manoir
Le Manoir
Le Manoir is the name of two communes in France:* Le Manoir, Calvados* Le Manoir, EureIt is also a shortened name for a hotel/restaurant:*Le Manoir aux Quat' Saisons...
, France, on 13 August 1944. Veterans of the 398th BG helped finance the bomber's restoration. Harrison's group restored the B-17 to a near-wartime appearance, although no armament was installed, and flew the aircraft at numerous airshows across the United States. As financing for maintenance and further restoration became difficult, more ambitious plans, such as an around-the-world goodwill flight, were shelved.
EAA
Sent to the EAA’s Kermit Weeks
Kermit Weeks
Kermit Weeks is an aviation enthusiast, pilot, and aircraft collector. He was recently inducted into Florida's Aviation Hall Of Fame for his services to Florida's aviation history.Weeks was twice U.S. National Aerobatic Champion...
Flight Research Center
Fantasy of Flight
Fantasy of Flight is an aviation-related attraction in Polk City, Florida, USA that takes visitors back to the pioneering days of early flight, World War I, World War II and beyond. The attraction opened in November of 1995, and houses the world's largest private aircraft collection on display...
in Florida in 1993, the aircraft was prepared for its first tour, which began in 1994. At present, of the 48 surviving B-17s, there are only 11 such B-17s still flying, with Aluminum Overcast, the high-time leader, already logging 6,000 flight hours by 1969. When Aluminum Overcast is on tours, flying extensively throughout the USA and Canada, it serves as the EAA's showcase aircraft and has already flown thousands of veterans and aviation enthusiasts. During a typical 60-city tour, flights are interspersed with opportunities for visitors to actually walk through the aircraft. The connection to the wartime B-17 is maintained through the involvement of many EAA volunteers, some of whom have a personal connection to the period. One of the initial flight crew was Col Harold "Hal" Weekley (ret'd), who had flown the original namesake that was shot down over France. Half-hour flights are also available at all tour stops, with proceeds from the tour helping to keep Aluminum Overcast flying and assisting in the continuing restoration, maintenance and preservation efforts of EAA.
As currently fitted out, Aluminum Overcast has one Studebaker
Studebaker
Studebaker Corporation was a United States wagon and automobile manufacturer based in South Bend, Indiana. Founded in 1852 and incorporated in 1868 under the name of the Studebaker Brothers Manufacturing Company, the company was originally a producer of wagons for farmers, miners, and the...
1820 and three Curtiss-Wright
Curtiss-Wright
The Curtiss-Wright Corporation was the largest aircraft manufacturer in the United States at the end of World War II, but has evolved to largely become a component manufacturer, specializing in actuators, aircraft controls, valves, and metalworking....
1820-97 engines. Its paint scheme was redone in 1988 and now features a flat aluminum metallic flake paint
Metallic paint
Metallic paint, also called polychromatic or "metal flake" paint, is used on the majority of new automobiles sold. Metallic paint can reveal the contours of bodywork more than non-metallic, or "solid" paint, Close-up, the small metal flakes included in the paint create a sparkling...
.
Aluminum Overcast is presently based at the Air Adventure Museum Eagle Hangar in Wittman Regional Airport
Wittman Regional Airport
Wittman Regional Airport is a public airport located two miles south of the central business district of Oshkosh, Wisconsin, United States. The airport is owned and operated by Winnebago County. Wittman Field, as it sometimes called, is used almost exclusively for general aviation, but has...
(OSH), Oshkosh, Wisconsin. The aircraft's annual multi-city tour is scheduled for spring through fall, with maintenance scheduled for the winter months.