Warbird Information Exchange

Since the 'Pacific Coast Dream Machines' event at Half Moon Bay airport scheduled for yesterday was cancelled due to rain, mud, famine and pestilence, we took a trip down silicon valley instead. Look what we found!

The EAA B-17G 'Aluminum Overcast' was at the former Moffett Field Naval Air Station (now NASA Ames Research Facility, and home to California ANG C-130s and NG Blackhawks). Moffett is also the home of the huge airship sheds, which provide an impressive backdrop.

The B-17 was giving fundraising rides as part of its US tour, all credit to the folks who keep these bombers going by touring them across the US.

A couple of shots of the airship sheds.





A pair of former residents (a P2V Neptune and P-3 Orion) are also 'preserved' there, although could do with some TLC from the look of them. I hope a preservation group takes them on their upkeep soon, judging by the rate of deterioration.

Great pictures!

Nice photos. I love reading the history on Aluminum Overcast:

First Owner
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.

Oh if I could only go back in time and had $750!