Flying Fortress "Aluminum Overcast" honors veterans of World War II

SEATTLE, May 15, 2013--A Memorial Day weekend tradition continues as The Museum of Flight will host the Experimental Aircraft Association's B-17 bomber, Aluminum Overcast, for rides and ground tours during the last week in May. The Flying Fortress will arrive on May 20 for a media flight, and will be open to the public May 24 through May 27 for rides and ground tours. For costs, reservations and more information, please call the EAA at 1-800-359-6217 or visit www.b17.org.

The Seattle-born, Boeing B-17 bomber played an important role in World War II and aviation history. Delivered to the U.S. Army Air Corps in May 1945, Aluminum Overcast was too late to see action in World War II. Sold for $750 as military surplus, the airplane served as a cargo hauler, an aerial mapping platform and in pest control. Now, Aluminum Overcast carries the wartime colors of the 398th Bomb Group, flown around the United States as a living tribute to World War II aviation.

Media Flight May 24
A media flight is available on Friday, May 24 at 1 p.m. Several World War II veterans are scheduled to accompany the press on the flight. Please schedule through EAA Media Relations at 920-426-6820, or contact The Museum of Flight.

Photo: B-17 bomber, Aluminum Overcast. Photo courtesy Experimental Aircraft Association.

Access this and all other Museum of Flight news releases online at:
museumofflight.org/press/archives

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The independent, non-profit Museum of Flight is one of the largest air and space museums in the world, attracting more than 500,000 visitors annually. The Museum's collection includes more than 160 historically significant air- and spacecraft, the original manufacturing facility of The Boeing Co., and the world's only full-scale NASA Space Shuttle Trainer. The Museum's aviation and space library and archives are the largest on the West Coast. More than 100,000 individuals are served annually by the Museum's on-site and outreach educational programs. The Museum of Flight is accredited by the American Association of Museums, and is an Affiliate of the Smithsonian Institution.

The Museum of Flight is located at 9404 E. Marginal Way S., Seattle, Exit 158 off Interstate 5 on Boeing Field half-way between downtown Seattle and Sea-Tac Airport. The Museum is open daily from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Admission is $18 for adults, $15 for seniors 65 and older, $15 for active military, $10 for youth 5 to 17, and free for children under 5. Group rates are available. Admission on the first Thursday of the month is free from 5 to 9 p.m. courtesy of Wells Fargo. McCormick & Schmick's Wings Café is on site. For general Museum information, please call 206-764-5720 or visit www.museumofflight.org

Mike Bush
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