B-17 Bomber Based at Museum May 24-28 for Rides and Tours

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

SEATTLE, May 9, 2012--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 21 for a media flight, and will be open to the public May 24 through May 28 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 21

A media flight is available on May 21 at noon. Several World War II B-17 veteran crew members are scheduled to accompany the press on the flight, and they will be available for interviews. One veteran will be celebrating his 90th birthday on the flight! Please schedule through EAA Media Relations at 920-426-6820, or contact The Museum of Flight.

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The non-profit Museum of Flight is one of the largest independent air and space museums in the world. The Museum's collection includes more than 150 historically significant air- and spacecraft, as well as the William E. Boeing Red Barn^® -- the original manufacturing facility of the Boeing Co. The Airpark includes outdoor displays with the first jet Air Force One, a Concorde airliner, and the first Boeing 747 jumbo jet. The Museum aeronautical library and archival holdings are the largest on the West Coast. The Education Office offers weekend family programs, programs for students and educators, and overnight camps for children. McCormick & Schmick's Wings Café is on site.

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 id="mce_marker"7 for adults, id="mce_marker"4 for seniors 65 and older, id="mce_marker"3 for active military, $9 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. For general Museum information, please call 206-764-5720 or visit museumofflight.org.