Kermit Weekes B-24

Last night I was going through some pictures to show a friend who is looking for places to go other than in the city we live in.  I showed her picutres that are a couple years old from when my family and I went to Fantasy of Flight.  It got me thinking.  I might have over looked this one but I notice on here that most people refer to "Delectible Doris" as Weekes B-24.  I have two pictures of the B-24 that was at Fantasy of Flight.  On one side it has the name "Hail Columbia" with ser. num. 41-11825.  Can this plane be the same "Delectible Doris" that most keep mentioning?  In another post I will put up the other picture.
 
Michelle L Gilbert. 


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Here is the other picture.  You will notice that it is just the front of the plane with a wall built around it.  I thought that was kind of neat.  It has a cantina built around it.
 
Michelle


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Michelle,      Good Evening from AA!  Great pics!  Here's what I know. In 1972 David Tallichet (now deceased) recovered two B24D airframes.  One was dismantled and transported by rail during which it was damaged during transport.  It was scrapped and only the nose was retained.  For a short period of time, it was on display at the March AFB Museum before returning to Chino, California.  Kermit Weeks obtained the nose for his attraction in Florida, and he had it refurbished as B-24D-CO, 41-11825 "Hail Columbia," one of the most recognized A/C's of the low level Ploesti raid of 01AU43.  It was originally B24D-60-CO, 42-40461.   This is not the same as Delectable Doris, B-24J-1-FO, 42-50551, which is a FO WR built  clean skin A/C (pic attached).  As a reference, the July/August 2007, #15, edition of WARBIRD Digest pp.35-44 has a great article entitled  "B-24 Survivors" in which the Hail Columbia is pictured.  It was a great article along with pics.  Best to you and your children!  Best Regards!  Steven

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

Delectible Doris was an airworthy B-24 up until the mid-90's.  At that time it went to Kermit Week's Fantasy of Flight and became a static display.  However, Delectible Doris could be made airworthy after a thorough annual inspection. 

Mike,  I agree!  The last time I physically saw Delectable Doris was in the late 80's or early 90's at the Willow Run , Michigan Air Show. She was "air-worthy" at that time, but over the years I have lost track of her.  It is a shame that there are not more air-worthy B-24's around, but the $$$$$ issue seems to be the problem. As I referenced in post #3, the copy of WARBIRD DIGEST has some great static display pics.   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, Mike..... Thank you both for answering my question.  After I read your first post Steven I went online and looked for the back copy of Warbird Digest you mentioned.  As I looked through the back issues I saw the issue with "Witchcraft" on the cover and the issue you mentioned.  Which means most likely later on today I will be placing a susbcription order for Warbird Digest in general and an order for at least those 2 back issues.  Mostly the reason I asked if the 2 planes could be one in the same was becuase I only saw the nose of the one plane there.  Even though it does state on the Fantasy of Flight website that not all planes listed are always onsite.  But I do plan on in the next month or so making another trip over there....who knows maybe I will see "Delectable Doris" this time.
 
Michelle

I was at Fantasy of Flight about 2 years ago, and at that time, a B-24 was parked well out on the ramp, closest to the runway.  Looked to be in decent shape, but can't vouch that it was flyable.  Going down again in October with the 397th BG.  Hopefully, the B-26 will come out of the hanger, and maybe even fly!

Don Hoch, son of 1st Lt. Sterling P. Hoch (397BG/596BS)

"Delectable Doris" was renamed "Joe" after Kermit Weeks aquired it.  I believe he wanted a more 'family friendly' name/nose art on the plane for display at his museum.

Michelle,  In Post #8, mcoffee mentioned about the "nose art" name change of Delectable Doris to Joe to make it more "viewer/family friendly."  The attached link, which you may have seen before, has some great pics of the A/C along with some history. Also I know you will enjoy WARBIRD DIGEST.  Over time I have really enjoyed the pics and articles especially when they devote the better part of an issue to a specific A/C. Also that is the same issue in which the initial pics appeared of the CAF's conversion of Diamond L'il to a restored B-24A Ol 927.   Best Regards!  Steven
 
http://www.fantasyofflight.com/aircraftpages/b24.htm
 
 

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

Again thank you all for answering my question.  If it wasn't for the fact that my husbands grandfather was a navigator/bombardier on B-24's I most likely wouldn't like the plane.  I like the P-51, P-47 and fighters of that time more but I am at least open minded enough to like something as ugly as a B_24.  I also happen to be a huge lover of the A-10 Thunderbolt II "Warthog".  Again an ugly plane that is beautiful, what can I say. 
 
Michelle

ORIGINAL: mlc73208

.....but I am at least open minded enough to like something as ugly as a B-24.  I also happen to be a huge lover of the A-10 Thunderbolt II "Warthog".  Again an ugly plane that is beautiful, what can I say. 

Michelle

 
OUCH!  Michelle, That one hurt..sorta!  If you get a chance, take a look at the recent Thread: B-24 Nicks... on this same Sub-forum (link attached) about the various nicknames attached to the Lib. Ah yes, I too like the "Warthog," and I suppose that it goes along with that old addage: "Beauty is in the eye of the beholder," or, as was often pointed out on the Thread:  B-24 versus B-17 by several Site members comparing the two: "the better of the two (maybe the better looking too) was the one that got you home."  Anyway, some good-natured joisting on this Saturday morning!  The ancient Romans, also known for their military prowess, had a similar saying about taste.  It went: "De gustibus non est disputandum," or "Everything is a matter of taste/choice."   Speaking of "less-than-beautiful" B-24's, how about the attached pic?  It's one from my display models.  Best Regards to you and your children!  Steven
 
http://forum.armyairforces.com/m_156262/mpage_1/key_/tm.htm#156306
 


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

I attended the 50th annaversary of the B-24 at Fort Worth, TX. in 1989. Delectable Doris was there and flew in formation with Diamond Lil.
 
On to the A-10 Warthog; In 2003, I was fortunate to be invited to a Fire Power Demonstration at the Nevada Desert Test and Training Range controlled by the 98th Range Wing. A part of the demonstration was the use of 4 Warthogs to COVER the "simulated extraction' od a downed airman in enemy held territory. they worked air to ground firing their 30 MM cannons. It was really something to see and hear.
 
Herb Harper, Historian 98th Vets. Association.

Herb, 
Do you happen to have pictures of either event you could share either on here or in an email.  I can send you a PM with an email address if you want.  Thanks.
 
Steven, 
Definately have to agree on the looks of the B-24....beauty is definately in the eye of the beholder.  It can be ugly as sin but as long as it was keeping you in the sky and landing you in one piece that was all that mattered.  I will have to pose the question of how the plane looked to my husbands grandfather tomorrow when we see him.  I do know the plane he was shot down in was not the plane he always flew in so he might not have anything nice to say about THAT particular plane. 
 
Have a good night and once again to those that have helped answer my question thank you.
 
Michelle

Kermit Weeks B-24 named "Joe" is no longer airworthy.  I remember someone telling me they found numerous cracks in the main wingspar and it was going to be way too costly for his museum to repair it.  I can only imagine the monumental task it would be to remove all four engines from the wing structures, then remove the wing assemblies from the fuselage, then strip down the B-24's Davis wing assemblies to the bare bones so the repairs to the wingspar can begin.  The biggest hurdle I heard was getting a 337 form approved by the FAA for the needed structural repairs to the wingspar assembly itself, which can indeed take years for the Feds to grant an approval for such a major repair like this and still have this Liberator be legally airworthy after the repairs are completed. 
 
Jim