B-17 Tail Fin

by Allen Beatty

Title

B-17 Tail Fin

Artist

Allen Beatty

Medium

Photograph - Photographs

Description

B-17 Tail Fin by Allen Beatty

The Experimental Aircraft Association's(henceforth EAA) B-17G-VE, serial number 44-85740, nicknamed Aluminum Overcast, was delivered to the U.S. Army Air Corps on May 18, 1945. Although delivered too late to see action in World War II, the airplane has an interesting history. Purchased as surplus from the military inventory for a mere $750 in 1946, the airplane has flown more than 1 million miles. It has served as a cargo hauler, an aerial mapping platform and in pest control and forest dusting applications. The airplanes's return to its military roots began in 1978, when a group of investors who wished to preserve the heritage of the magnificent B-17. The group, "B-17's Around the World," was headed by Dr. Bill Harrison. Their goal was to return the B-17 to its former glory. The economic reality of simply maintaining a vintage bomber, let alone the cost of restoration, prompted the group tp donate the plane to the EAA in 1983. Since that time, an extensive program of restoration and preservation was undertaken to insure Aluminum Overcast would be a living reminder of World War II aviation for many years to come. The restoration has taken more than 10 years and thousands of hours by dedicated staff and volunters at EAA headquarters.
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 #42-102515 which was shot down on its 34th combat mission over LeManior, France on August 13, 1944. Veterans of the 398th helped finance the bomber's restoration. Here we see a photograph of the tail fin of the b-17 aluminum overcast at the Essex County Airport in Fairfield, N.J.
To find out more about the Aluminum Overcast tour, where it will be, to make a donation visit www.B17.org.

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Uploaded

January 30th, 2019

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