By Bill Stansbeary
Aluminum Overcast was the center of attention at a nostalgic hangar dance held in June at Centennial Airport.
Following a record-breaking visit last year, Wings Over the Rockies again invited a rare B-17 to visit Denver for flights and tours. The Experimental Aircraft Association’s Flying Fortress, Aluminum Overcast, was the centerpiece for a B-17 hangar dance held at Centennial Airport-based International Jet Aviation Services on June 9.
Greg Anderson, Wings over the Rockies CEO, pointed out that this event was designed to honor the brave veterans who made our way of life safe. Co-chaired by Peter and Betsy Luce and Charlie and Gayle Johnson, the hangar dance provided an opportunity to dine and dance under the wings of the amazing B-17 and to relive the awe-inspiring days of World War II. Nostalgia, a 17-piece orchestra, played the big band sounds of the time period. Cowtown Catering provided USO-style food and B-17 veterans provided guided aircraft tours. B-17 flight simulators were available courtesy of Wings Over the Rockies and Microsoft.
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- U.S. Army Air Corps B-17 veteran flight crew members and their Citizen Heroes escorts line up in the International Jet Aviation hangar under the wing of Aluminum Overcast.
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- A color guard from the Citizen Heroes group presents the American and Colorado flags in opening ceremonies for the hangar dance.
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- Co-chairs Peter and Betsy Luce and Charlie Johnson invite everyone to dine, dance and delight under the wings of Aluminum Overcast.
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- Right: Jesse and Linsey Lips get a close-up view of the bombardier’s position.
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- Left: Wings Over the Rockies President Greg Anderson gives a thumbs-up signal from the bombardier position with a Norden bombsight in the nose of Aluminum Overcast.
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- At the dance, Greg Anderson talked about the museum’s future plans for expansion at Centennial Airport, and showed drawings of this purpose-built facility.
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- Charlie and Gayle Johnson help keep the American fighting-for-freedom spirit alive by supporting the Wings Over the Rockies events.