Ken, Scott,    Since Ken mentioned Churchill's A/C, I'm wondering.......... Wasn't one of FDR's first Presidential A/C's a C-87 (mod B-24D)?  I'm sure it wasn't an "A" variant.  Were there any other unusual, utilitarian uses for these A/C's?
 
Scott,  Curiosity:  Have you had a chance to contact YAM about the Privateer bomb bay?  If you were to come north to YAM for parts/assistance, do they  supply you a "jump seat?"  Steven

Best Regards!
Steven P. Puhl
Willow Run Historian  (RET.)  
Home of 8685 Ford B-24 Liberators
Life Member: Yankee Air Museum

I don't know the answer to that but here is another one to add to the pot. This is a special transport conversiion for the Royal Canadian Air Force termed "Liberator C.VI".

[image]local://upfiles/1204/1C97C9084A774CCCBC3D8E7010F36AF3.jpg[/image]

Attached Image(s)

Steven,

I'm not ready to begin researching the bomb bay structure for our old girl (I have no vacation left!) so don't know when that will start. Furthermore, the actual bomb bay work on 927 probably is a long way in the future unless a sizeable donation comes the Squadron's way (due to the fact that Gary will likely farm out that de-modification project). I still would like to get up there for a visit--maybe this winter.

On to the second subject, President Roosevelt was assigned a C-87A that was the equivalent of a B-24D (s/n 41-24159, named "Guess Where II) that the Secret Service refused to let him fly in. Mrs Roosevelt did use the airplane for a goodwill trip of Central and South America in 1944. Another C-87A (s/n 41-23863, named "Gulliver") was assigned to VIP service and was used by Wendell Willkie as the president's personal representative to foreign powers.

Prime Minister Churchill named AL 504 "Commando" and flew on her extensively until she was converted into an RY-3 clone in 1944 (having the original round nacelles with the stretched fuselage and single tail of an RY-3) but it is thought he never flew on the airplane after it was modified. Originally, AL 504 was the second Liberator II, the first model with the extended nose similar to the "D" models but with the round nacelles and using Curtiss Electric propellers. The Lib II was considerably different than the "A" models with respect to the tail and waist doors as well, provisions were made for British power operated tail and top turrets.

Bill, thanks for the photo again! That looks like an "H" or "J" with transport mods--very interesting conversion. The modifiers really did a nice job on the nose turret fairing, much more sleek than the C-109 noses.

Scott

Scott,  Just passing thru the Site.........  I tried to access the CAF Web, but had some trouble on "my end."  Quick question:  Do you have the schedule for OL 927 for the balance of CY2007?  I am curious if she has a "scheduled stop" at YAM or, if there is a "non-scheduled" drop-in, could you please advise prior to its ETA/ stay.     Thanks!         Steven

Best Regards!
Steven P. Puhl
Willow Run Historian  (RET.)  
Home of 8685 Ford B-24 Liberators
Life Member: Yankee Air Museum

Steven,
 
Here's the schedule that is posted on the Squadron website:
 
Now to the 24th--Bristol, Tennessee
 
8/24 to 8/27--Indianapolis, Indiana
 
8/27 to 9/04--Fargo, North Dakota
 
9/05 to 9/10--Minot, North Dakota
 
I believe she will be here in Tulsa from the 10th until the 18th or so, but my memory fails me on those dates, it may be only the week prior to Airsho.
 
9/28 to 9/3--Midland, Texas for Airsho
 
10/05 to 10/0--Houston, Texas.
 
From Houston I presume the airplane will head back to Midland for winter maintenance.
 
Scott

THANKS, SCOTT,  for the B.O.Y. Schedule for OL 927!   In the September 2007 edition of the Hangar Happenings, the YAM monthly publication,  there is a very short article entitled: B-24A Liberator on Yankee Ramp!  I have taken the liberty to quote it verbatim.   "The CAF's fomer LB-24, Diamond Lil, newly modified to a B-24A, and renamed "Ol 927" was on the Yankee ramp at Hangar 2 for a few days.  Go to the Warbird Exchange Web Site to read all about the conversion and see pictures of the transition."  (picture attached)  I find this a fitting "wrap-up" to this thread although I am sure we will continue to follow the progress of OL 927.  YAM salutes CAF!     Steven

[image]local://upfiles/11777/5A1C223D152E40D8BB09523126FA60FB.jpg[/image]

Attached Image(s)

Best Regards!
Steven P. Puhl
Willow Run Historian  (RET.)  
Home of 8685 Ford B-24 Liberators
Life Member: Yankee Air Museum

Scott,  Just surfing tonight and thought I'd drop in to see how OL 927 is doing?   Also, I had been reading about, and then started a thread on the "book corner" sub-forum about "Nose Art," and was wondering how the CAF came up with the "caricature" drawing to accompany the last three digits of the S/N?  The graphic is quite clever!  Best Regards!   Steven

[image]local://upfiles/11777/60946892D0404F05929B57C40F1B3B85.jpg[/image]

Attached Image(s)

Best Regards!
Steven P. Puhl
Willow Run Historian  (RET.)  
Home of 8685 Ford B-24 Liberators
Life Member: Yankee Air Museum

Steven,
 
Ol' 927 is doing OK so far this season from what I've heard. The new Squadron newsletter shows two possible additional venues late in the season; November 2-4 at San Antonio, and November 10-11 at Las Vegas. Neither of these shows are confirmed according to the newsletter but are a possibility.
 
You asked about the nose art selection--the least complicated explanation I can give is that several paint schemes were proposed to the elected staff of the B-29/B-24 Squadron. One was the scheme that was selected, another was the "neutrality" scheme with the black carrying further up the sides of the fuselage, and another was the RAF antisubmarine scheme with substantial amounts of white on the undersides and sides. There may have been others, but I wasn't even a member of the unit until long after this decision was made so don't know what they would have been. All three of the schemes I described above were possible camouflage layouts for AM927 from the timeframe when she was produced. The nose art was again selected by the elected staff, and the actual design used was created by a man named Chad Hill. The decision was made to NOT have pin-up style artwork, but rather to appeal to young and old alike. The name "OL' 927" was actually given to AM 927 by air traffic controllers around the CONUS during the war--she made many a cross-country trip from factory to airfield to factory in support of the B-24 manufacturing program. There were many considerations that had to be thought through about the nose art--kid-friendliness, PC problems, should there be art at all, etc. The final result was one angry looking B-24 with a '40s cartoon aura that the Squadron hopes will be popular with the majority of folks and still be marketable (after all, we do have to put gas in her and do maintenance!).
 
Scott

Scott,  Thank you very much for the storyline/historical background on the choice of "Nose Art" for OL 927!  It is not at all an uncommon procedure, as we at YAM have used and continue to use this procedure to name A/C's by running contests,etc. with final approval by the "board/staff."  I have attached another "sunset" photo.  I'm running out of phtos of her brief visit here.  I think the early evening Michigan glow does her justice!  Best Regards!   Steven

[image]local://upfiles/11777/EE8FC8563CF04888B59C0B6073185691.jpg[/image]

Attached Image(s)

Best Regards!
Steven P. Puhl
Willow Run Historian  (RET.)  
Home of 8685 Ford B-24 Liberators
Life Member: Yankee Air Museum

Steven,
 
Here is Antoine Roels' version of a sunset photo, taken around 20:10 at Springfield, Missouri on 22 July. We were putting the cowling on #1 engine after changing a cylinder that had failed as the crew was heading out to start touring this year. They headed for Oshkosh the next morning--I didn't notice the nice sunset for some reason! (glasses covered with oil)
 
Scott
 
 

[image]local://upfiles/8432/DF9139EB770846D1BDA74F34984C5F5B.jpg[/image]

Attached Image(s)

Scott and All,   If you haven't seen it, there is a great article in the October 2007 copy of Flight Journal magazine, written by Robert Mason entitled "Ploesti: The Romanian Meat Grinder," pp. 74-82.  It not only reads well, but has some great, albeit probably not new, photos of the CAF's  B-17 and B-24A (although under its former Diamond Lil identity.)  It does, however, also reference the restoration process.  You can also hit the WebSite at FlightJournal.com.    Steven

Best Regards!
Steven P. Puhl
Willow Run Historian  (RET.)  
Home of 8685 Ford B-24 Liberators
Life Member: Yankee Air Museum

Scott,   Found a few more pics of CAF's OL 927 while she visited Michigan in August.  This one, again at sunset near the flight line, was the best of those that I had.  Also there were a few of the interior which I found interesting.  If you'd like, I'll post a few later.   Best regards!    Steven

[image]local://upfiles/11777/C04FA00FDD4249AB88F1348EF85F72DE.jpg[/image]

Attached Image(s)

Best Regards!
Steven P. Puhl
Willow Run Historian  (RET.)  
Home of 8685 Ford B-24 Liberators
Life Member: Yankee Air Museum

Scott,   For the present, I'll just send this one along as it seems to be the clearest and best that I have.  Is this basically the same as appeared in Diamond L'il, or has there been any refurbishing?  Have you seen the October 2007 copy of Flight Journal magazine?  There are some photos of Diamond L'il  along with a reference to the restoration project by the CAF.    Steven

[image]local://upfiles/11777/D63636E33A8349E4AF833925C3DDBDE0.jpg[/image]

Attached Image(s)

Best Regards!
Steven P. Puhl
Willow Run Historian  (RET.)  
Home of 8685 Ford B-24 Liberators
Life Member: Yankee Air Museum

Steven,
 
Great sunset shots! With regard to the cockpit, a lot of old insulation and other later additions were removed in order to get back to a more appropriate bomber configuration. Gary shot the area with Consolidated green paint, and Shorty DeWitt was responsible for putting things back together, including a lot of detail work on the panel and consoles. These two photos are of interest, you can see the gray panel that used to be in the "in progress" shot. As a side note, the B-24A originally had a complete engine instrument panel on the aft bulkhead just behind the airplane commander for the flight engineer. Ol' 927 lost hers many, many years ago, and now has a smaller panel with fuel, electrical and fire suppression controls.
 
Scott

Sorry, the photos didn't upload!

[image]local://upfiles/8432/55E8B8207A1541BBB6CD81990074FE6E.jpg[/image]

Attached Image(s)

Ok, I sort of remember how to post photos. This is an original Consolidated photo of an LB-30 cockpit similar to how 927 would have been originally. Sorry about the inept intraweb operation on my part.
 
Scott

[image]local://upfiles/8432/75198ED5F93F480C9844B529270DE678.jpg[/image]

Attached Image(s)

Ken, how many hours does Old 927 have on it?
Must be a lot as much as she has been around.
bjsassy90
 

Scott,  Great job on the uploaded photos!  Thanks!  Maybe you could answer post #57 with your inside knowledge!  I'm sure that Ken might also have an insight!  Still looking for more "Michigan Photos" for you.   Steven

Best Regards!
Steven P. Puhl
Willow Run Historian  (RET.)  
Home of 8685 Ford B-24 Liberators
Life Member: Yankee Air Museum

bjsassy90,
 
AM 927 has around 16,200 hours give or take a few.
 
Scott

Scott and Others,  Just thought I'd post this "link" referencing a book I just picked up.  In it are a lot of old photos (you'll have to dig a bit if you get your hands on the book) of "surplus" A/C's from WWII including many of B-24A's and C-87's.  Just  thought I'd pass it along!   Best regards!    Steven
 
http://forum.armyairforces.com/m_131381/tm.htm

Best Regards!
Steven P. Puhl
Willow Run Historian  (RET.)  
Home of 8685 Ford B-24 Liberators
Life Member: Yankee Air Museum