[SEDXC] Special Event Station - W4LZU - Aluminum Overcast, Lawrenceville, GA

[Joel Levine]

Special Event Station W4LZU will  be on the air Saturday and Sunday 
October 16-17 when EAA Chapter 690, located at Gwinnett County Airport, 
Lawrenceville, Georgia hosts one of the few flying Boeing B-17 bombers, 
"Aluminum Overcast," on its visit to the Atlanta area. The EAA's 
restored B-17 bomber continues to thrill the public throughout the 
United States on its "Salute to the Veterans" tour. Tens of thousands 
have experienced this unique airplane through its visits and aircraft 
ground tours, while thousands of aviation enthusiasts have actually 
flown in the renowned bomber. The B-17 is considered one of the greatest 
military airplanes ever built and one of the best-known aircraft types 
of the World War II era.

"Aluminum Overcast" will be available to the public to purchase daily 
flights and/or ground tours at Lawrenceville's Briscoe Field.  The 
aircraft will be at Landmark Aviation (north side), 850 Airport Road, 
from Thursday, October 14 through Sunday, October 18. Pre-scheduled 
flights will take place 8 AM - 1:15 PM with walk-through tours 
following. "The national tour EAA undertakes each year has become the 
most popular way to learn about this unique aircraft in an up-close 
way," said Tom Poberezny, EAA Board Chairmen. "EAA is dedicated to 
preserving aviation's magnificent heritage and our B-17 tours are a 
major part of that. We also take great pride in saluting all our 
nation's veterans through this tour."

B-17 HISTORY
Undoubtedly, the B-17, known as the Flying Fortress, is one of the most 
famous American aircraft ever built. Designed in 1934 and first flown in 
1935, the Boeing B-17, with its four turbo-charged 1,200 horsepower 
engines and 13 machine guns placed strategically from nose to tail, can 
deliver a 17,600-pound bomb load.  Although 12,726 were built, fewer 
than a dozen are still flying.  The B-17 and its crew of ten were 
largely responsible for helping bring an end to World War II.

The "Aluminum Overcast" was delivered to the 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 
airplane's return to its military roots began in 1978, when it was 
purchased by a group of investors who wished to preserve the heritage of 
the magnificent B-17. The economic reality of simply maintaining a 
vintage bomber, let alone the cost of restoration, prompted the group to 
donate the B-17 to the Experimental Aircraft Association. 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 a dedicated staff and 
volunteers.

The presence of such an historic aircraft offers a unique opportunity 
for individuals, clubs, schools, home school and church groups, etc. to 
tour the inside of this historic aircraft. Daily ground tours are $15 
for a family, $5 for an adult, $3 for students, with no charge to 
accompanied children under 8 and WW-II veterans. On Saturday, October 
16, while visiting the B-17, the public is invited to an airport wide 
open house from 8 AM - 5 PM.  There will be aircraft displays and 
activities on both the north and south sides of the airport.  Flight 
Schools and other businesses will welcome the public to visit and ask 
questions.

Atlanta area amateur radio operators will be operating Special Event 
Station W4LZU from the site on the published 40/20 meter frequencies.  
In addition, local radio control (R/C) model aircraft club members will 
be exhibiting various Super Scale R/C models for the public to see. 

QSL via:

W4LZU
Bill Coleman, AA4LR
1770 Glen Ryan Ct.
Loganville, GA 30052