Scott - Thanks for setting me straight. Because of the Pearl Harbor context I jumped to the conclusion we were talking about Faulkner's aircraft.
Actually, the B-24A shown was piloted by the storied Alva Harvey. Of the two Harriman Mission a/c, flown by Reichers and Harvey, Reichers returned to the US via the South Atlantic while Harvey was the one that circled the globe and returned via Habbaniyeh, Karachi, Calcutta, Rangoon, Singapore, Darwin, Port Moresby, Wake and Hickam.
 
I will continue my search for a photo of Faulkner's ship at Hickam prior to its destruction there. While his recon mission was very hush-hush, the possibility of such a photo still exists!
 
Al

I believe I should have more correctly listed my photo as the 42 Squadron of the 11 Bombardment Group. The 42 went into the Pacific in July until November of 1942, for which they were awarded the Presidential Unit Citation.
 
THANK YOU SO VERY MUCH FOR SHARING YOUR PHOTO IT IS OUTSTANDING THANK YOU AGAIN!! 

Sincerely yours,
PA.Dutchman

Son of T/Sgt. Ray A. Heilman, JR.
11 TH Field Artillery 1937-1940
Schofield Barracks
7 TH AAC 11 BGH 42 Sq.1940-45
Hickam Survivor 12/7/1941
AAC Armorer (P) 911
P.U.Citation1942

It is special when you think this was taken before the attack as well and they are the older model of the B-17s. It is found in the book "Hickam 1942" printed the spring immediately after the attack of 1941.

The other photo is my father and friends in front of a B-18. He reenlisted in 1940 from the 11 F.A. into the 11 Bombardment 42 Squadron so it was taken prior to the attack as well between March 1940 and December of 1941.
 
My fathers hats came with a gold and blue trim around the top seams. What this the Units color's gold and blue?
  

[image]local://upfiles/14753/7BC878EC14594507B393BC760FD478EE.jpg[/image]

[image]local://upfiles/14753/52C0BCDE7A2D4156A4AB290DA21D8422.jpg[/image]

Attached Image(s)

Sincerely yours,
PA.Dutchman

Son of T/Sgt. Ray A. Heilman, JR.
11 TH Field Artillery 1937-1940
Schofield Barracks
7 TH AAC 11 BGH 42 Sq.1940-45
Hickam Survivor 12/7/1941
AAC Armorer (P) 911
P.U.Citation1942

Added OL "927" to site (plus Great video!)...
http://www.b24bestweb.com/Pics-D-DIAMOND_LIL-R1-R2-AM927.htm

Daniel L. Stockton "B-24 Best Web"
http://www.b24bestweb.com/

Got PICs? (>7300 on site!)
Submit PICs

Daniel,
 
Thanks for putting Ol'927 on your site! I'm not going to give up searching for a photo of the old piggy when it was new, if I find one you'll get a copy.
 
Scott

Scott - Will these do? Although both are of AM929, they are identical in appearence to AM927 when it left the factory.
 
Al

[image]local://upfiles/26/49EB3B701A674954AB9533814B28EEB7.jpg[/image]

[image]local://upfiles/26/432D62FD66264BFDBC067C4AB94E040A.jpg[/image]

Attached Image(s)

Dan,  Thanks also for adding the pics!
Scott,  This  Thread has certainly picked up since last August when I found that photo op in Warbirds Digest! I've really appreciated the latest interest and photos!!!  I'll repost again one of the many early photos shot here at FO WR and YAM, in the setting sun when she made a stop-over.  Maybe not one of the clearest, but definitely one of my favorites!  Best Regards!  Steven

Attached Image(s)

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

Being that the only experience I have with aviation is from last Christmas. I went flying off a ladder and broke my wrist in three places trying to repair a window that was smashed by someone who broke into our home.  
 
Why the roundness of the tail sections of the B-24? What purpose do they serve? I know it enhanced its operational performance in someway, what way was this?
 
Thank you very much.
 
(The break in was 2 days before Christmas. We spend 7 hours in the Emergency Room Christmas Eve. only to find they could not set it for 3 more days.) 

Sincerely yours,
PA.Dutchman

Son of T/Sgt. Ray A. Heilman, JR.
11 TH Field Artillery 1937-1940
Schofield Barracks
7 TH AAC 11 BGH 42 Sq.1940-45
Hickam Survivor 12/7/1941
AAC Armorer (P) 911
P.U.Citation1942

PA.,

Sorry to hear about your holiday break-in and "first flight".

On the subject of the rounded vertical stabilizers, when Consolidated designed the B-24 the teardrop streamlining method from the Art Deco period was still considered as a low-drag design. It wasn't until later in the war that the angular shapes were found to be more efficient, such as the P-51 demonstrates. The rounded fins and wingtips actually would have been harder to mass produce and repair after being damaged, but most '30s designs are rounded. I know the volunteers that re-covered the rudders for 927 were tired of the curvature when they were finished!
 
Al, sent you a PM, thanks for the pictures of AM929.

Scott

teardrop streamlining method from the Art Deco period was still considered as a low-drag design.

 
Scott,  Interesting!  I had not made the connection between the two, and, in fact had not come cross that in reading.  I did find, however, some vague references in my own local work here at FO WR to "rework" that had to be done in the Assembly Repair Bays.  It involved using aluminum strips for  "tedious patching to rounded surfaces."  I suppose that comment could apply to the rudders even though there were other such surfaces.  Best Regards!  Steven

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

I went right out to purchase a copy of "Warbirds Digest" after reading about the magazine here. Its' site stated that Barnes and Noble carried this magazine, but they did not have it to purchase.
 
However they had "Air Classics" and their featured plane and article is ALSO THE B-24 LIBERATOR. Their article has plenty of information and great photos too!! 
 
I had asked last night which magazine was recommended by subscribers here but NO one replied. Do you all have a favorite or not?
 
Many thanks,

Sincerely yours,
PA.Dutchman

Son of T/Sgt. Ray A. Heilman, JR.
11 TH Field Artillery 1937-1940
Schofield Barracks
7 TH AAC 11 BGH 42 Sq.1940-45
Hickam Survivor 12/7/1941
AAC Armorer (P) 911
P.U.Citation1942

Gregg,  The WARBIRD Digest that I referred to in my previous post #107 was from July-August, 2007, and would have been pulled from the periodial rack toward the end of its run infavor of the next edition.  It comes out 6 times a year.  I was surprised that Barnes and Nobles did not carry it as I hav found all of the good magazines at B&N, Borders, Walden Books without fail.  You might want to ask!  As for the "best," there are several that I read (and am sure it's the same for others) and have subsibed to or purchase over time.  I am discriminatory, however, and tend to purchase those related in any facet to the B-24 Liberator.   My problem is "time" to research, read, surf, study etc. while still working 10 hrs/day x 6.  Here's my "Reading List:"  Aviation History, Air Classics, FlyPast,  WARBIRD Digest, Flight Journal, Wings, Airpower, International Airpower Review and Air & Space.  You can't go wrong on any of these both from the aspect of photography and writing.  I've also found some very good and detailed paintings also.  All of them interest me, but I actually subscribe to only Aviation History and Flight Journal. I purchase the others "as the need arises." I gather from the very large number of posts you've made in such a short period of time that you might have  time to browse thru some of these.  What really helps is that many of them have indexed "past copies" that can be purchased based upon availability.  It might be worth your while to browse thru these.  Also all of these can be checked out on-line.  Best of luck and happy reading!   There are also a lot of good leads on the "Book Corner" sub-forum.    Best Regards!  Steven

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

Gregg,
 
Warbird Digest also has a website where I think you can get back issues. We had a lot of fun watching Job Savage (his dad is Tim Savage, editor/publisher of the magazine) explore the bomber in May during Rollout Day. There is a photo of Job manning the tail gun on the back cover of the July/August issue that Ellen and I just love. That issue is #15, FYI. As to the question of Warbird publications we subscribe to, I used to get Air Classics, Wings, and Airpower in the early '70s to mid '80s, but haven't subscribed to anything since then. Warbird Digest and Flypast are two of my favorites now, I've been a Flypast fan for a long time.
 
Scott

Thank you both! Now that I have some experienced and knowledgeable opinions I can use to make an educated choice.
 
Again thank you both for all your time, help and patience.

Sincerely yours,
PA.Dutchman

Son of T/Sgt. Ray A. Heilman, JR.
11 TH Field Artillery 1937-1940
Schofield Barracks
7 TH AAC 11 BGH 42 Sq.1940-45
Hickam Survivor 12/7/1941
AAC Armorer (P) 911
P.U.Citation1942

THE MAN upstairs was with us. As far as the 24 versus the 17, I was glad to make the transition, not because I didn't enjoy flying the 24 but the 17's reputation was more impressive and was a tougher plane. I think it was also a little easier to fly. I'm proud to have been able to fly both.

 
Scott,  I was sort of skimming around some old Threads this evening and this section of one of your posts jumped out at me! It was not so much that it tied into this Thread as much as it was sort of a different look at the B-24 vs B-17 ageless, good-natured controversy. I'm always looking for something a tad different, but I know that the "best is still the one that brings you home!"  Best Regards!  Steven

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

Scott,   Good morning!   While surfing on a snowy morning in AA, I happened to think about you and OL 927!  The A/C came up in a conversation on Wednesday, 12MR08, when I hosted a tour through GM (FO) WR of Curators and Project Coordinators from YAM and the Henry Ford Museum.  There was mention that it was hoped to get both the CF Witchcraft and the CAF OL 927 together this summer, maybe as a part of "Thunder Over Michigan."  I have not heard or seen anything "official" yet but would assume that this would have already been scheduled if it were to be a reality.  Anyway, the various articles and photos I've seen on-line really represent OL 927 well.   Attached still my favorite photo!   Best Regards! Steven 

[image]local://11777/EF618D87BD2C4D3C92F0B9482DD27D1F.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,
 
I think quite a few people would like to see the Collings folks and the CAF get together with both Libs somewhere, but I have no idea if it will ever happen. I don't know what the dynamics are, but I get the impression that there are some in both camps who aren't in a hurry to fly together. Since I have nothing to do with touring I'll just state that I would like to see them fly together, and if Kermit Weeks got his '24 back in the air a three-ship would be wonderful. Who knows, maybe someday they can work out something.
 
As an aside, my little brother has ridden on both Witchcraft and 909, and, from his photos, I'm very impressed with both airplanes. We've had our own little laugh about consorting with the opposing camps, but all in fun. (Now that I think about it, he shelled out a little money and went flying, and we worked our a$$es off and I've never been inside 927 when it was running!) I'd like to get a chance to explore the Collings equipment, they seem to have a really good operation. 
 
Here is a tentative schedule for 2008. I very much doubt the airplane will make the Sun-N-Fun stop due to their protracted annual inspection and some engine issues. I've personally contributed very little to the winter maintenance and am not "in the loop" as to when the airplane will be ready. I'll visit the Squadron website from time to time and try to update everyone that way.

April 8-13 - Lakeland, FL
May 16-18 - Andrews AFB
June 14-15 - Akron, OH
July 28-August 3 - Oshkosh, WI
August 8-10 - Ypsilanti, MI
August 23-24 - Indianapolis, IN??
August 30-31 - Red Wing, MN
September 20-21 - Midland, TX
 
Sorry I don't know any more,
Scott
_________________

August 8-10 - Ypsilanti, MI

Scott,   Thanks for the reply!  The date you posted for Ypsilanti is the annual "Thunder Over Michigan," so I looked at the CF schedule, but it only goes out thru May, so don't know if we at YAM have them on schedule yet.  Witchcraft and Diamond Lil were here together in 2005.  Hope all is well, and am looking forward to a great season!  By the way, any update on "Fifi?"  Will we ever see her airworthy in the future?  Best Regards!  Steven

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

Steven,
 
The Squadron has gotten an infusion of funding for the FIFI project from Jim Cavanaugh. They still need to raise more money, but I think they will be starting to work on it again. They just hired a new crew chief. When it is airworthy, it will move from Midland to Addison for winter maintenance. A Cavanaugh Flight Museum hangar will be the new home for both airplanes. I guess the B-24 will winter there after this touring season. It's an interesting development that I know little about.
 
Scott

A quick update for anyone who may be going to Sun-N-Fun--Ol' 927 WILL NOT be there, the first possible show they will be able to attend will be at Dyess AFB on 3 May, and there is some question if they will have it ready by then.
 
Scott