
This year's Owensboro Air Show, scheduled to be held on Sept. 30 and Oct. 1-2, will feature an appearance by a fully restored B-17 bomber from World War II-era, nicknamed the "Aluminum Overcast." During the last year show, the “Yankee Lady” a B-17 Flying Fortress bomber was joined by the Air Force Thunderbirds and they drew 50,000 people to the show.
Aluminum Overcast will be displayed by EAA AirVenture of OshKosh, Wisconsin. According to a press release, Aluminum Overcast is one of the 12 B-17’s still in flying condition. The airplane will be on display at the Owensboro Regional Airport on Sept. 30th as a part of the program. EAA AirVenture will also be offering paid-rides on the four-engined bomber from Friday to Sunday. The nine-jet Canadian Armed Forces Snowbirds demonstration team will perform with the Aluminum Overcast.
Aluminum Overcast was delivered to the U.S. Army Air Corps on May 18, 1945 and by that time the war was almost over. According to the EAA AirVenture website the plane was bought in 1946 for just $750 as a surplus. It has flown more than 1 million miles serving a number of purposes as a cargo hauler, aerial mapping platform, pest control and forest dusting. A group of investors who were into heritage preservation bought this in 1978. The group, "B-17s Around the World," had a goal of restoring the B-17 to its former glory. It was donated to EAA in 1983 and after a restoration process of 10 years it started flying in 1994.
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The air show will begin at 4 p.m. on Sept. 30 at the Owensboro-Daviess County Regional Airport, where various vintage aircrafts will be displayed along with pilots and crew members for public viewing. A night time air show will be performed, followed by fireworks. The show also includes Army Golden Knights performance, along with a close display of performer planes as well as other military and civilian aircrafts.
For information about how to book a paid ride on the B-17G Aluminum Overcast, or for general air show information one can visit the air show website.
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