This is a walkaround of the B-17 Aluminum Overcast owned by the EAA. The pilot Ken Morris really knows his history and facts about the B-17. He shares his extensive knowledge of this iconic airplane.
Years back my brother in law and I arranged for my dad to get a ride in this plane at Manassas, VA. He worked on B-17's in WW-2 and had a WW-2 Vet hat on. These guys treated him like he was a king. They honored him and let him sit in the nose of the plane while in flight. Dad was thrilled and this was the best thing I could ever give my Dad. He has passed away but I will never forget the respect given to my father by these guys. [Sorry tears coming down.]
Thank you for his Service, sir. As well as to All the Brave vets, in all branches. My Grand dad was a Merchant Mariner (ww 2) and he was "in the drink" twice. Bombed & torpedoed while making the run to Murmansk. He said the Best part were the Scottish nurses!! God Bless him, & his mates!! They did n't bitch & moan. They would just get on with it!! Survived the war, raised a Family, and had 3 grandchildren that Loved him to death. We miss you!! RIP
Wow. The pilot here, Ken Morris, is a walking dictionary, a real treasure trove of information. He lays things out so beautifully. Many thanks. My neighbor, Eddie Holland, was a tail gunner on the "G.I. JIVE" back in the day. He was a real-life hero and great neighbor to boot.
I’m a 80 year-old Commercial Rate Pilot. This is the most comprehensive, informative B-17 general presentation I’ve seen. Well done. I really enjoyed your presentation, 1st Officer.
Ed McKnight , ED AGREED 1000% ALL I CAN SAY IS WOW, AND IM ONLY 65, WITHH MY PRIVATE FOR 41 YEARS! NICELY SAID, EXCELLENT DESCRIPTION! I COULD NOT OF SAID IT 1/2 AS GOOD AS YOU!!! THANKS, JACK
Thanks for this video! Lots of details I didn't know about the B-17. My Dad was a B-17 pilot, 15th AF, 99th Bomb Group "Diamondbacks" Foggia, Italy. The mission/crew list shows Bombardier/Togglier - never the knew the difference til now. Thanks also to Tuskegee Airmen for protecting the Forts, one of them with my Dad, in #46435, Regensburg, 3/13/1945.
My fav model WW2 plane next was P-51 Mustang Roll- Royce powered Flying Fortress guys would kiss her in England after return from bombing sorties in Germany bless 🙏 those few who saved so many salutations, always
My grandpa took me to see the Aluminum Overcast when I was little. I think it was the first year it was on national tour in the early 90s. He died in 2002. I just got to tour through her again in Peoria IL in 2019. Very thankful for the opportunity to re-live that memory with him. I hope it never stops touring.
I spent all of the money I had saved up for a rainy day to take my sister, niece and nephew on a flight when it came to a town nearby. I didn't think about it at the time but the kids' only over airplane flight had been an airline ride when he was six months. My nephew will always remember his trip on Aluminum Overcast as his first ever airplane ride. I'll never regret that.
My dad piloted 29 missions over Nazi Occupied Germany in a B-17 (various models). He and nor any of his crew ever got a scratch, except for his tail gunner got an earlobe shot off. He also flew German Scientists and Engineers out of Neutral Switzerland against the Geneva convention (before the Russians could get them). 2 DSC's 2 Air Medals, 4 Oak Leaf Clusters. Thanks for the video.
Regarding the safety of the ball turret, I once asked my great uncle who flew the ball with the 95th out of Horham in late 1944, "didn't he feel unsafe? if the plane was hit, how was he getting out?" His reply was, "if the plane is hit bad enough I can't get out, then nobody was getting out..." it didn't phase him. He also said he thought the ball was pretty roomy...he was also 5'2", so it probably was for him.
Thank you gentleman so very much for your trip to Conway, Arkansas. The flight in Aluminum Overcast was a surprise addition to my dads bucket list and was unfortunately his last war bird flight as he passed the following January. He really enjoyed the flight and I was so happy to see that boyish gleam in his eyes. And for me it was a great chance to see up close and touch "the plane" my grandpa worked on during the war in Europe. I hope to some day get to take a ride myself. Thank you EAA, Aluminum Overcast flight & ground crew, and all the donors that make it possible for these pieces of flying history to tour and bring so much joy to so many & bring opportunities to share.
I have known ken and his wife Lorraine for quite some years. We all based out of C77, Poplar grove airport in N. Illinois. Lorraine flew right seat for me in my Cessna 140 one time for a formation flyover of a late aviator's funeral.tribute. It was a real learning experience as she gave me the know how for chevron flying.
Love the gearhead details and commentary such as: "Pay attention, this will be on the test." "This is not your Prius." "If we get ice we're missing a Happy Hour somewhere."
This was awesome. Best over view of the B-17 (G) that I have ever seen. As it’s now on RU-vid I hope younger people will come by it and watch it. So the B-17 and there crews will never be forgotten =).
I flew on the Liberty Belle in 2010 less than a year before she was lost. They are beautiful planes and a privilege to fly in. My grandfather served on one as a copilot and I’m thankful for the opportunity to experience this.
I cannot imagine being 18, flying in a tin can at 30,000 feet in -40 degree temps, trying to shoot at incoming aircraft, while hoping you don't get shot too. Then being in that state for 10 hours or more.
JustaKoreanGuy With the close formations I have heard my former patients tell me that there was a lot of friendly fire with the excitement of shooting at a German fighter coming through the formation. If you are swinging your gun and firing just half a second will cut the rudder off your buddies plane. They did not talk about that to the press.
Thank you. Best video I've ever seen on the B-17. That throttle arrangement and feathering sequence would give me pause when considering if I wanted to pay for a ride in a B-17.
My family was on that plane. I have my "Aluminum Overcast"crew jackey that I wore yesterday in memory of the crew and passengers of "909". Very sobering to think it could have been us who died on that plane,.
A very sacred airplane. Many American men fought hard and died in these birds. Read many stories of the battles. Thanks for the interesting walk around.
Been on this aircraft and did a walk around tour with my video cam . Never forget it . I am former Air Force and I have always loved planes . Brought a new meaning to Space , time , and flight . If you ever get a chance to board one of these amazing aircraft don't hesitate . I have been on the Space shuttle prototype too at Rockwell in 1977 . Climbed all over it . Too cool , keep them coming . Sorry for the loss of the 909 .
Thanks, Ken for the wonderful guided tour of a marvelous piece of history -- the B17. I appreciated the detail of the machine gun locations and description of the bombs. It would have been fun to see the bomb bay doors open and shut. Thanks for keeping the memory and history of a wonderful War Bird in the American fleeting mind/memory experience. Dean (former military instructor pilot in U.S. Army Aviation) of Minnesota
I had the pleasure of winning a flight on this very plane a couple of years ago when she visited the airport in Springfield, Il. She is a beautiful aircraft, and it was quite an honor to be a guest on this plane.
I am English and near the end of the war, my uncle Flew B-17's From Iceland and he told me that more were lost to weather back then than fighter attacks! Thank you for that wonderful walk around and inside view of what it must have been like back then! Just to let you also know, my uncle flew Wimpys over Germany, then went to the Med and did torpedo runs in Wimpys, wellington Bombers! My dad's brother got killed in his first mission! My mum died on the 27th September aged 95! All mf my Uncles and parents in WWII are all gone now I cannot thank all enough, the folk back then USA or GB who fought back then for our freedom! Thank you all!
Very Well done and I learned a lot. My father was a co-pilot in a 379th BG B-17 and completed 18 missions before being shot down over Berlin on May 7, 1944. He spent a year as a guest of the Reich and was eventually liberated by Patton's Third Army. I flew in Aluminum Overcast in 2010 around Northern Virginia and it was one of the most meaningful things I have done in my life. We have to preserve the memory of those who either gave the ultimate sacrifice or sacrificed part of their young lives to keep the world free. The best way is to keep them flying and touring, although videos like this will help spread the information to those who cannot be reached that way.
Hi Ken Morris, I was lucky enough to fly with you today, while Aluminum Overcast was in Reno, NV. The experience was truly exciting. Thank you, to you and the entire crew that was here
B-17s have always been an interest of mine. My great uncle was a pilot in 401BG; 31 combat missions. Sadly he passed before I was old enough to talk to him.
Has been just over a year now when my boys and i took a trip to Washington DC to do a "boys trip". Drove to Manassas airport where this beautiful old gal sat glistening in the early morning sunlight. All the crew and volunteers at the event where excellent to chat with and everyone was so knowledgeable on the plane. It was a spectacular flight and with the countryside around Washington you could almost picture flying over the English countryside in 1943. Sadly the flight had to be booked so far in advance and there were no seats left that day as I wanted to take my boys with. that will be next one to tick off my bucket list...taking my sons on a once in a lifetime experience like that. Thank you to all the vets past and present that have given so much for us!
One of the highlights of my life was getting to fly in this aircraft. I was sitting in the nose cone and looking out to the side we had a P-51 and a Sea Fury flying in escort formation with us!
thank you sir. this was the most descriptive, and entertaining video of any plane i have ever seen. WELL DONE. god bless all those who served our great country during the war.
As of 10-2-2019 a sad loss for the Collings Foundation B-17 Nine 0 Nine when on its Wings of Freedom tour the plane took off with 13 aboard 10 passengers 3 crew. as they reported trouble with the #4 engine tried to land at runway 6 at Bradley Int Airport in Windsor Locks Ct. as 7 fatalities were confirmed, 5 passengers survived, one injured in the maintainence facility from one of the engines in the building. as the Collings foundation is cooperating with the FAA, NTSB, FBI, and Homeland Security as this airframe had two prior crashes one in 1987 in Beaver County Pa and in 1995 in Nebraska.
Superb talk through sir... The glory of the machine and people for sure, but a tone that conveys the horror of it all. Superb honest and realistic... I salute you ... ;-)
I've been a member of the E.A.A. off and on since 1968. When I first toured the interior of this B-17 at an early 1980s EAA convention in Oshkosh, the "Aluminum Overcast", it was then nicknamed "High Life" and had no military equipment restored. I've toured it something like a half-dozen times since at subsequent AirVentures and like the video tour, a lot of work has gone into its restoration. A real labor of love keeping her flying...
My Dad was tail gunner and did 15 missions over Germany. I’ll be stopping at 8th Air Force museum in early January, and will get even more out of the visit because of your great video.
My uncle did all of his 4 engine time in B17s prior to going to the Pacific. He loved the 17. Last minute transition training to B24s and off they went. He flew 36 missions in 24s between Nov.44 and Aug.45. He never liked the 24 nearly as much as the 17.
I took an internal tour of this aircraft. I was very impressed. Thanks Ken Morris and those responsible for the restoration and maintenance of this magnificent aircraft. Keep 'em flying!
The phrase 'The Whole 9 yards' has been around far longer than the beautiful B-17. But it was probably used in that manner during the war. Great video, thanks!
A few of us EAA volunteers from Hickory, NC flew in this girl from Hickory Airport to Atlanta, GA last night. It was as exciting as you can imagine. We got to sit in the front clear nosecone under the pilot's seats for part of the flight! Too bad we couldn't shoot the guns! And it was an honor to meet the veterans who came to the airport to see Aluminum Overcast. They had fantastic stories! God Bless America!
I saw this plane when it came to the Boeing facility near Seattle. It was the first time I was actually see the type of planes my father served in during WW II.🥰
To add to what Ken is saying about the engines, if the engines are running rich sometimes you'll see black smoke coming out. An excellent history lesson and a fantastic aircraft for its time, great to know a few of them are still flying nowadays!
My dad flunked out of pilot training in the Army Air Corps during Korea (he tended to get airsick on landings he said) and wound up as a surgical technician on the flight line crash trucks. He retired from the Air Force as a Staff Sgt. a year before I was born. As a kid, he used to tell me stories about having to deal with the injured crew on the bombers when they came back from missions, with the ships firing flares to signal the extent of the injuries. His stories were probably one of the reasons I became an EMT years later. He went into construction and general contracting while I was in grade school and I grew up working for him. Coming back from a job one day when I was in my 20s we both heard the very distinctive sound of a four-engined propeller-driven aircraft (I'm old enough to fondly remember flying commercially on prop planes) that he immediately ID'd as a B-17, just from the sound of it. We were driving on the Brooklyn-Queens Expressway at the time, below the Brooklyn Promenade, and sure enough, out in the skies over NY harbor were a pair of B-17s circling the Statue of Liberty. Watching my dad relive a part of his youth listening to and watching those planes is one of my favorite memories of him. I would have loved to get him a ride on one if I could but money was tight (I was working two jobs, starting a family, and going to college, all at the same time). My dad passed in January of 2001.
I have been fascinated with this plane since I learned that my great uncle was a co-pilot of a B17 in Europe. He made it thru 17 missions but was shot down and lost in action in late 1944. Thank you for all of your detailed explanations! I understand many things now that I would have never figured out and always had questions about.
Terrific video. Can’t thank you enough for all of the insights into this wonderful aircraft and the challenges the brave crews faced. Have been in awe of this bomber since I first learned about it from my Dad as a little kid in the mid-sixties and it still fascinates me to this day. May the Aluminum Overcast stay airworthy for many years to come! Thank you, again!
Incredible video. Really puts it into perspective when you hear the ball turret was statistically the ‘safest’ place under fire. My word, can’t even imagine the terror these young men experienced. Full respect.
My grandfather was a physician in the US Army attached to an engineering unit, in the European theater. He went from the UK, to France, and on to Germany. After Germany surrendered, he had some time and being a doctor was sent all over the place as one can imagine. One day he was at an airfield with a B-17 unit. The pilot managed to coax him onto the plane, a real trick because he had never been on an airplane before and was terrified. It was summer and the mission was to carry a bunch of beer up to altitude to chill it (I'm not kidding). So my grandfather is up with the pilots and he is nervously watching the pilot curse as one of the engines was having trouble starting. They got it started, the mission was accomplished, and my grandfather vowed to never fly again. (edit: sp.)
WOW. what a story. This will make me more appreciate a cold beer (I'm not kidding). I hope your father was given one of those beers upon returning. Thanks for the story pdutube.
Thank you very much for a fantastic tour and a trip back to WWII. I very much appreciate the knowledge you share and your insight into the details of the plane. Wonderful job!
To give a LIKE is my mandatory for this professional and very interesting presentation of this famous airplane... because, in summary, it is a 50-50 weight between Plane and Crew - this is it what makes the difference to be a winner, or a looser. In WW II. there are so many good pilots and planes on both sides... lost their lives in combat - sad enough, but there are also survivors, and they can tell their story. THIS B-17 do it !!! THANK YOU Mr. Morris, and Mr. Johnston !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! LIKE
I've been in the older style without the chin guns and in a B-24 as well. My Dad flew B-17's in the war and crashed in one too,but survived. He flew P-38's as well. I feel very fortunate to have been able to Ave sat behind the wheel of those great aircraft 💖
Just saw this amazing aircraft in Kingman Az yesterday. Sadly I did not get to go on a flight, but the tour was still very cool. This thing really rumbles flying over your house, I can't get enough. I will be sad when it leaves haha.
Toured Aluminum Overcast when it was at Cecil Field, Florida quite a few years ago. I was amazed at the simplicity and lack of technology in the production of these planes. I guess when you are punching them out at the rate they needed them during the war, there wasn't much time (or money) to worry about crew comfort. That plane was all business. I frankly have a hard time fathoming the bravery of these VERY young men to brave flying at sub-zero freezing temperatures relying on your oxygen supply to survive in a paper-thin aluminum tube full of highly flammable avgas and ordinance with nothing to protect you other than your own guns while the entire German Luftwaffe tried desperately to eliminate you. Hats off to all the brave crews from a proud Navy retiree! Thanks for the tour. VERY informative! With the loss of the "Nine-O-Nine", there aren't too many of these old ladies left.
Thank you. Excellent. Daddy flew 34 missions plus mercy missions to drop food over Holland as top turret gunner/flight engineer. 452nd BG 731st BS. We are planning trip to Cullman, Al. Nov 5th. Hope you are there so we can thank you in person. I am so proud to be a daughter of the Mighty Eighth. May we always share the sacrifices of the Greatest Generation. Blessings.
I was lucky enough to fly in the marvelous aircraft yesterday in Madison WI. It has been a dream of mine since I was a kid because my dad was a bombardier of the Sassy Susie during the war. He flew 33 missions over Germany which is almost unheard of!!!! Dad’s been gone for many years but he went with yesterday. I took a picture of him in flight gear, his wings, his escape scarf and his silk scarf. If I get a chance I WILL fly again. It was great to sit in his seat in the nose and imagine what it was like for these young guys!
Great walk around that has brought fond memories of that special day during ground training when the pilots will go to do their first walk-around and be amazed at the real plane. I remember my first DC-10 walk-around, Everything was huge and the landing gear’s legs seemed like palm trees to me but after a while the plane became the standard size and other types looked tiny in comparison. Thank you for the video. It is always great to see a professional doing his job in a professional way. Job well done sir! By the way, my uncle played for the other team and flew He111s.
Great class on B 17 mechanics and structure components function, and cockpit controls. I wish to be younger to qualify for aviation mechanics course. (I'm 65 way too old but I understood all the theory involved) Congratulations you are a great instructor.
I recall a video of the Dutch military inspecting a long downed B-17 that was just surfacing. The aircraft belly landed in the water during the war. One guy made it out of the forward fuselage. No one followed him. He was there as the water level dropped as the Dutch reclaimed the land. The aircraft bent after he escaped and the guys behind him were trapped and drown. He was crying liked a baby. Very, very sad... I watched this broadcasted on TV in 1974. I still watch it in my head. Something that can’t be forgotten. It shouldn’t be forgotten. That’s the only time I ever saw it broadcasted
Excellent walk around talk. Makes me want to see one, built a model as a 10 year old. B17G is the only bomber I haven't seen in person. John Stockton Ca.
John; I hope you get the chance. I love that the EAA and other groups (I believe) are able to fly these planes from town to town and let people get up close. Myself and a friend went to see it when it visited our town and I went for a ride. I'll never forget it.
Form here in Britain thank you for this very informative walk around of the B17. Over the last 20 years my brother & I have visited many of the old USAAF 8th Airforce bases in Suffolk & Norfolk in eastern England. Most have now been returned to farmland with only small pieces of concrete of what were the runways, taxiways or hard pan dispersals. Some have museums in the old control towers but must just have a stone memorial to the airfields that were there before. They are very atmospheric places, standing in what is now the middle of a farmers field imagining those brave aircrews in their B17's & B24's taking off.
My grandfather was a ball turret gunner on a B-17f and I used to love listening to the stories. I hear many people around me today complaining of how hard life is for them. If they could only understand the life of an airman in the Mighty Eighth, I think it would stop their bellyaching and put matters in perspective. Thank you for this video, I enjoyed every minute of it.
When I was working on my private I was doing a tower tour at PDK with my CFI not long after they started allowing that again after 9/11. While we were up there Aluminum Overcast flew in for an air show that was going on that weekend. We had no idea. But got to sit up there and watch it do a few low passes before landing. Amazing airplane.
Have to say it looks like being in a tin can. Had to be pretty brave in war time to fly in one of these. Prayer for all the men that died or injured for life in these planes.
Very informative . Really enjoyed watching this walk though. I thank these Brave men who had to endure this task almost every day with terrible odds of returning
