CAF: B-24A OL 927

RE: CAF: B-24A OL 927 (WillowRun)

Sat, 12 Jul 2008 07:43:34 GMT

In the July/August 2008 newsstand edition of WARBRD DIGEST, pp. 44-49, there appears a good article entitled "CAF: Join the Air Force You Never Heard Of...." It is good to see that their B-29, Fifi, is still in the stages of becoming airworthy once again and that Ol 927 will be making the air show circuit. The CAF's list of restored A/C's is quite impressive. This summer at "Thunder over Michigan" (August 9, 10) both OL 927 and Witchcraft (Collings Foundation) will be here at AM. Best Regards! Steven

RE: CAF: B-24A OL 927 (scott348)

Sat, 21 Jun 2008 23:40:20 GMT

Hi, Steven

Thanks for keeping me up to date with the goings-on up there. I'd love to come up, but we've committed to going to Reno this year and I've burned up most of my vacation working on the B-17. It would be neat to see both Liberators in the same airspace. Check the B-29/B-24 Squadron website for information as to when they intend to get Ol' 927 airworthy.

We've started working with the Gulf Coast Wing of the CAF on Texas Raiders in anticipation of getting her back in the air where she belongs. There is much work yet to be completed, but things are making progress. I've been able to achieve a life-long dream--I'm working on the aircraft I've studied since I was a small boy, the B-17!

Enjoy the summer,
Scott

RE: CAF: B-24A OL 927 (WillowRun)

Sat, 21 Jun 2008 22:19:36 GMT

Scott, Good evening! I've attached info from another Thread, but as we've posted over the past year, it looks as though both Ol 927 and Witchcraft may be meeting here at YAM in August. I'm anxious to see Ol 927 since it will be the first time. Here's the post! Best Regards! Steven

The attached "link" shows the impressive lineup and mix of A/C's for this year's "Thunder Over Michigan" Air Show at Willow Run hosted by YAM (Yankee Air Museum). Of special interest will be both the Collings Foundation B-24J, Witchcraft, and the CAF's newly restored B-24A, Ol 927. Both were together here in 2005 but Ol 927 had not yet undergone her "facelift" fom the former Diamond L'il. There will be 3 B-25's and B-17's along with a larger contingency of fighters especially P-47 Thunderbolts. The dates are August 10 and 11. Best Regards! Steven

http://yankeeairmuseum.org/airshow/aircraft.htm

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RE: CAF: B-24A OL 927 (scott348)

Mon, 12 May 2008 00:14:27 GMT

Steven,

You'll have to keep an eye on their Squadron website for anything FIFI and Ol' 927 related. That's the only way I would know what is going on down there. My wife and I are getting ready to start working on a different 4-engined airplane, and we're both pretty excited to be part of it. More later.

Scott

RE: CAF: B-24A OL 927 (WillowRun)

Sun, 11 May 2008 13:43:58 GMT

Scott, Just saw the brief article "Fifi to Fly Again" in the July 2008 newsstand edition of Aviation History, page 8. It really sounds as if between the CAF and the Cavanaugh donation, Fifi may soon (?) be airworthy. I went onto the CAF Website again to see if "OL 927" might be on schedule for a "fly-in" to YAM here at WR. I didn't see anything posted, and, in fact, did not see her listed for anything. I shall keep my eye on the Site! Best Regards! Steven

RE: CAF: B-24A OL 927 (Bitt4)

Tue, 29 Apr 2008 04:52:47 GMT

WILLOWRUN HERE IS THE PICTURE YOU POSTED AND MY FATHERS SHIP.

[image]local://12792/C1B65427AE3E4C249D7A218FC39A97DF.jpg[/image]

[image]local://12792/978C3241D0284D3B9A3B5A84BFBEB556.jpg[/image]

RE: CAF: B-24A OL 927 (Bitt4)

Tue, 29 Apr 2008 04:48:19 GMT

WILLOWRUN CAN YOU CONTACT ME ABOUT A PREVIOUS THREAD.POSTED YOU HAVE A PICTURE OF THIS PLANE #59. A FORD ENGINE B-24 LIBERATOR POST CARD ORIGINAL. THIS WAS MY FATHERS SHIP. I ALSO POSTED A POST CARD KEEP THEM FLYING WHICH I HAVE MANY OF AND MANY MORE. IS THIS A REPRODUCTION PICTURE OF HIS PLANE. I HAVE ALSO POSTED HIM AND HIS CREW IN FRONT OF THE PLANE YOU MENTIONED. PLEASE FEEL FREE TO CONTACT ME AS I DID SEND YOU MAIL. THANK YOU BITT4

RE: CAF: B-24A OL 927 (scott348)

Tue, 29 Apr 2008 01:36:29 GMT

Steven,

'927 is still sitting in the hangar at Midland. I have no idea what the plan is--it's currently missing the #3 engine and I don't think the annual is done. Yet. My only suggestion is to check their website from time to time to see when they get it airworthy again.

RE: CAF: B-24A OL 927 (WillowRun)

Mon, 28 Apr 2008 21:23:33 GMT

Scott, Good Evening from AA! It's been awhile since I've posted here! One of my friends at work about 10 days to two weeks ago said he thought he may have seen the "Ol 927" next door at YAM. Since I had been away fom the plant, I could not confirm, and it seems too early for any visits up north here. When I get a chance, I'll go to the CAF Site. The last time I had checked, there was only a short term schdule posted! Best Regards! Steven

RE: CAF: B-24A OL 927 (Ken a B24 Fan)

Fri, 28 Mar 2008 21:30:16 GMT

Yes, Delectable Doris is now Joe with the Weeks collection.

Ken

RE: CAF: B-24A OL 927 (Herb Harper)

Fri, 28 Mar 2008 15:09:34 GMT

I am a member of the Collings Foundation and have flown on both the B-17 and B-24. One B-24 flight was recorded on video by a former 458th BG pilot. On one of the B-24 flights, we lost # 3 engine on take off (oil leak) at Chattanooga, TN. We were scheduled to buz the air base at Marietta, GA, but had to forego that and landed at Cobb County airport near Atlanta.

The last time I saw TWO Libs fly together was at the 50th B-24 reunion at Ft. Worth, Texas in 1989 when Diamond Lil and Delectable Doris made a flyover together.

I "think" the B-24 Weeks has now, was the original Delectable Doris.

Herb Harper

RE: CAF: B-24A OL 927 (scott348)

Fri, 28 Mar 2008 13:20:53 GMT

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

RE: CAF: B-24A OL 927 (scott348)

Sun, 23 Mar 2008 11:40:34 GMT

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

RE: CAF: B-24A OL 927 (WillowRun)

Sun, 23 Mar 2008 08:06:29 GMT

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

RE: CAF: B-24A OL 927 (scott348)

Sun, 23 Mar 2008 01:11:19 GMT

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
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RE: CAF: B-24A OL 927 (WillowRun)

Sat, 22 Mar 2008 12:12:46 GMT

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]

RE: CAF: B-24A OL 927 (WillowRun)

Mon, 25 Feb 2008 20:33:59 GMT

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

RE: CAF: B-24A OL 927 (PA.Dutchman)

Sun, 17 Feb 2008 15:04:05 GMT

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.

RE: CAF: B-24A OL 927 (scott348)

Sun, 17 Feb 2008 11:20:20 GMT

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

RE: CAF: B-24A OL 927 (WillowRun)

Sun, 17 Feb 2008 10:55:46 GMT

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