EAA B-17 Going On Western Tour

Aluminum Overcast, the EAA’s restored B-17 bomber, returns to the west on April 2 - 4 with Deer Valley, Ariz. the first stop on its 2010 national tour.

EAA has announced the first portion of the popular schedule, which includes more than 20 stops in five states. The overall tour will continue into late fall and will include a week-long stop at EAA’s annual AirVenture fly-in in Wisconsin.

The national B-17 tours have taken place each spring and fall since 1994. Since EAA began the tours of the aircraft known as “The Flying Fortress,” 10’s of thousands of people have experienced this unique airplane through its visits and aircraft ground tours.

Thousands of aviation enthusiasts have actually flown in the renowned bomber, which is considered one of the greatest military airplanes ever built and one of the best-known aircraft types of the World War II era.

“The national tour EAA undertakes each year has become the nation’s most popular way to learn about this unique aircraft in an up-close way,” said Tom Poberezny, EAA President. “EAA is dedicated to preserving aviation’s magnificent heritage and our B-17 tours are a major part of that.  “This year, we also take great pride in saluting all our nation’s veterans through this tour.”

At each stop, flight “missions” are available in the airplane, which allow people to take flights in this spectacular aircraft. For more information regarding these flights, including ground tour and flight rates, visit the www.b17.org web site or contact EAA’s B-17 Tour Office at 1-800-359-6217.

Special pre-book rates on flights are available for EAA members, non-members, and group rates are available for ground tours by schools or other large groups. The airplane’s crew is available at each stop to answer questions.
Members of the EAA Warbirds of America, who are experienced in World War II airplane operations, will fly the airplane Ñ painted in the colors of the 398th Bomb Group.

EAA’s Aluminum Overcast was built in 1944, but was delivered to the Army Air Corps too late to see active service in World War II. It was purchased as war surplus for $750 by a private individual, and served in mapping and spraying operations in many countries until a preservation group purchased it in 1978.

The B-17 was donated to the EAA Aviation Foundation in 1981 with the provision of being maintained in airworthy condition. After being displayed at the EAA AirVenture Museum in Oshkosh, Wis., for a decade, the airplane made its national tour debut in the spring of 1994.

As part of an internal restructuring, EAA now fully owns the aircraft and operates the national tour.

Pricing
Pre-book - for EAA members $359, for non-members $399
Walk-up Ð for EAA members $385, for non-members $425

To book a flight call 1-800-359-6217 or go their website: www.b17.org.

2010 Tour Schedule
April 2 - 4, Deer Valley, AZ
Hosted by EAA Warbird Squadron 20
April 6 - 7, Murrieta, CA
Hosted by EAA Chapter 1279
April 9 - 11, Torrance, CA
Hosted by Torrance Airfair Association
April 13 - 14, Chino, CA
Hosted by EAA Warbird Squadron 16
April 16 - 18, Van Nuys, CA
Hosted by EAA Chapter 40
April 20 - 21, Oxnard, CA
Hosted by EAA Chapter 1469
April 23 - 25, Santra Barbara, CA
Hosted by EAA Chapter 527
April 27 - 28, Bakersfield, CA
Hosted by EAA Chapter 71
April 30 - May 2, Hayward, CA
Hosted by EAA Chapter Vintage 29
May 4 - 5, Watsonville, CA
Hosted by EAA Chapter 119
May 7 - 9, Napa, CA
Hosted by EAA Chapter 167
May 7 - 9, Napa, CA
May 11 - 12, Chico, CA
Hosted by EAA Chapter 427
May 11 - 12, Chico, CA
May 14 - 16, Sacramento, CA
Hosted by EAA Chapter 52
May 18 - 19, Klamath Falls, OR
Hosted by EAA Chapter 411
May 21 - 23, Portland, OR
Hosted by EAA Chapter 105
May 26 - 31, Seattle, WA
Hosted by EAA Warbird Squadron 2
June 3 - 4, Logan, UT
Hosted by EAA Chapter 23
June 5 - 7, Ogden, UT
Hosted by EAA Chapter 23