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B-17 ‘Flying Fortress’ landing in Paso Robles 

B-17 ‘Flying Fortress’ landing in Paso Robles for tours

The public is welcomed to tour a B-17 ‘Flying Fortress’ that coming to Paso Robles and open on May 7-8, 2013. The plane will be landing at Paso Robles Municipal Airport in Paso Robles. There will be Ground Tours: $10/person, $20/family and $1/person for grade school groups of 10 or more. Tours are  Free for children under 8-years-old when accompanied by a paying adult and free for all active military or veterans. The Ground Tours will be 2-5 p.m., and Mission Flights are 10-2 p.m.

‘Mission’ flights, ground tours in historic WWII bomber available

Click here to schedule your flight in a B-17

Screen Shot 2013-03-30 at 11.51.09 AMEAA AVIATION CENTER, OSHKOSH, Wis. (March 21, 2013) — The Experimental Aircraft Association’s restored B-17 bomber Aluminum Overcast, returns to the sky on April 26 at Zamperini Field in Torrance, Calif., the first of more than 30 stops during the 2013 “Experience History” national tour.

The first portion of EAA’s tour schedule includes 12 stops in five states between April 26 and June 3. The year-long tour will continue into the summer, with the airplane back “home” for the full week of EAA’s annual AirVenture Celebration on July 29-Aug 4 in Oshkosh, Wis.

Since EAA began the tours of the aircraft in 1994, tens of thousands of people have experienced this unique airplane through its flights and ground tours. Known as “The Flying Fortress,” the B-17 bomber is considered one of the greatest military airplanes ever built and one of the best-known aircraft types of the World War II era.

“For 20 years, EAA’s national B-17 tour is America’s most popular way to learn about this unique aircraft in an up-close way,” said Jack Pelton, EAA chairman. “EAA is dedicated to preserving the spirit of aviation through these B-17 tours. It is more than the flight of a historic aircraft – it is an emotional connection to the men and women who were part of ‘The Greatest Generation’ and the sacrifices they made to benefit us in subsequent generations.”

At each stop, flight “missions” are available, which allow people to experience this spectacular aircraft from the air. For more information, including rates for flights and ground tours, visit Uwww.B17.orgUH or contact EAA’s B-17 Tour Office at 800-359-6217. Special pre-book rates on flights are available for EAA members and non-members.

EAA’s Aluminum Overcast was built in 1945, but was delivered to the Army Air Corps too late to see active service in World War II. The B-17 was donated to the EAA Aviation Foundation in 1981 with the provision of the aircraft 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.

EAA embodies the spirit of aviation through the world’s most engaged community of aviation enthusiasts. EAA’s 177,000 members and 1,000 local chapters enjoy the fun and camaraderie of sharing their passion for flying, building and restoring recreational aircraft. For more information on EAA and its programs, call 800-JOIN-EAA (800-564-6322) or go to www.eaa.org. For continual news updates, connect with www.twitter.com/EAAupdate.

EAA B-17 2013 Air Tour Schedule

Dates City Airport Code
April 26-28 Torrance, CA Zamperini Field TOA
April 30-May 1 Chino, CA Chino Airport CNO
May 3-5 Camarillo, CA Camarillo Airport CMA
May 7-8 Paso Robles, CA Paso Robles Municipal Airport PRB
May 10-12 Hayward, CA Hayward Executive Airport HWD
May 14-15 Ukiah, CA Ukiah Municipal Airport UKI
May 17-19 Eugene, OR Mahlon Sweet Field Airport BDN
May 21 Bend, OR Bend Municipal Airport BDN
May 28-29 Nampa, ID Nampa Municipal Airport MAN
May 31- June2 Ogden, UT Ogden-Hinckley Airport OGD

History of the BOEING B-17 “FLYING FORTRESS”

The Boeing B-17 “Flying Fortress” is a World War II bomber used primarily in Europe. B-17s from the Eighth Air Force participated in countless missions from bases in England. These missions often lasted for more than eight hours and struck at targets deep within enemy territory. Because of their long-range capability, formations of B-17s often flew into battle with no fighter escort, relying on their own defensive capabilities to ensure a successful mission.

During the war, B-17s were among the most modern aircraft in the U.S. inventory. However, the advent of the jet age and advances in technology made the Flying Fortress obsolete soon after the conclusion of the war. In the years following World War II, most B-17s were cut up for scrap, used in Air Force research or sold on the surplus market.

In 1934, the Boeing Aircraft Company of Seattle, Wash., began construction of a four-engine heavy bomber. Known as the Boeing model 299, it first took flight on July 28, 1935. The government ordered production of 13 of these aircraft, now designated the Y1B-17. Delivery of these first production models was between January 11 and August 4, 1937.

The B-17 received the name “Flying Fortress” from a Seattle reporter who commented on its defensive firepower. The B-17 underwent a number of improvements over its 10-year production span. Models ranged from the YB-17 to the B-17-G model. Throughout the war, the B-17 was refined and improved as battle experience showed the Boeing designers where improvements could be made. The final B-17 production model, the B-17G, was produced in larger quantities (8,680) than any previous model and is considered the definitive “Flying Fort.” With its 13 .50-caliber machine guns – chin, top, ball and tail turrets; waist and cheek guns – the B-17G was indeed an airplane that earned the respect of its combatants. In addition, air crews liked the B-17 for its ability to withstand heavy combat damage and still return its crew safely home.

Between 1935 and May of 1945, 12,732 B-17s were produced. Of these aircraft, 4,735 were lost during combat missions. Today, fewer than 100 B-17 airframes exist and fewer still are in airworthy condition. At one time, more than 1,000 B-17s could be assembled for mass combat missions, today less than 15 of Boeing’s famous bombers can still take to the air.

 

Dent Repair in Paso Robles – DentPro – (805) 434-5446

 

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About the author: Publisher Scott Brennan

Scott Brennan is the publisher of this newspaper and founder of Access Publishing. Follow him on Twitter, LinkedIn, or follow his blog.