Friday, September 15, 2000

Flying Fortress lands at Lunken

---

WWII warbirds offering flights

By Lew Moores
The Cincinnati Enquirer

        A B-17 Flying Fortress, the type of military aircraft that dropped more than a half-million tons of bombs on European targets during World War II, arrived in Cincinnati on Thursday afternoon for a weekend of offering flights and tours of the warplane at Lunken Airport.

        The restored B-17, built in 1945 but delivered too late to see action during the war, was last in town in August 1999 for the Lunken Air Show.

Admiring the B-17 Flying Fortress are Robert Erbs of Finneytown and Jack Keller of North College Hill. Mr. Erbs was a B-17 mechanic in World War II, while Mr. Keller was a B-17 tail gunner. (Brandi Stafford photo) | ZOOM |

        It makes a return at the behest of the Cincinnati Warbirds, a local organization dedicated to the historical preservation of military aircraft.

        “We both restore them and fly them,” said Jim Stitt, executive officer of the Warbirds, which counts among their own aircraft fighter trainers.

        The B-17 will be on display and can be toured when it is not airborne, Mr. Stitt said.

        This B-17, called Aluminum Overcast, is one of only 12 that are still in flight; 10 are in the United States, one in France, one in England.

        This one was purchased from military inventory in 1946 for $750, according to the Experimental Aircraft Association, and following the war hauled cargo and was used in spraying operations.

IF YOU GO

• What: B-17 Flying Fortress military aircraft.   • When: On display 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. today and Saturday; 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sunday.   • Where: Lunken Airport, East End.   • Flight availability: Tentative times for flights aboard the B-17 are at 8, 9:30 and 11 a.m. Fights last about a half hour. Note: times subject to change due to number of people wanting to fly and weather conditions.   • Cost: $350 to fly aboard the B-17. The plane holds seven passengers; $5 to tour the aircraft when it is on display.

        The plane was purchased in 1978 by a preservation group and was donated to the EAA Aviation Foundation in 1983.

        More than 12,000 B-17s were built between 1935 and 1945; about 4,750 were lost in combat missions during the war. They dropped more than 640,000 tons of bombs on targets in Europe during the war.

        EAA charges for flights and tours, mostly to offset the cost of flying Aluminum Overcast.

        One of those looking forward to flying aboard the Aluminum Overcast is Bob Wessel, who had been a navigator aboard an attack plane during World War II.

        “There's nothing like the B-17,” said Mr. Wessel, 73, who lives downtown.

       

---

Fliers powerless on baggage rules
Tourists spend day in pen over stolen pig
Please don't abuse the pigs
Downtown eateries open this weekend
Sprawl label is disputed
Cleveland's 'Ecovillage' held up as role model
Woman left in stench called eccentric
International trade meeting to spark protests
Adopted teens to be tried as adults
Mother recounts day girl, 2, died
Rising from ashes - again
A busyness dropout
Ask a Stupid Question ...
He's a new man
On The Fridge
Aquatic center plan criticized
Attempted murder indictment issued
Coca-Cola memorabilia a big draw
Event helps homeless vets
Flying Fortress lands at Lunken
Getting ready for Kentucky Cup Day of Champions
Hamilton gas rates to rise 35%
Holdup nets 46 months
In the Schools
Money shifted into sidewalks
Office workers roll up sleeves for good cause
Persistence pays off for small college
Radio airs game prayers
Signs have message for under-21 drinkers
State expands day-care aid
Get to it
Kentucky News Briefs
Pig Parade/The Puccini Pig
Tristate A.M. Report