Tag: Commemorative Air Force

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B-24 “Diamond Lil” Returns to the Air Following Restoration

The Commemorative Air Force has reported that their B-24 Liberator “Diamond Lil” returned to the air for the first time in over two years on October 22.

As previously reported, the aircraft (AM927) was delivered to the British in May 1941 and transferred to Trans World Airlines (TWA) to conduct training of RAF pilots out of Albuquerque, New Mexico. A landing accident shortly thereafter resulted in the bomber being returned to Consolidated in San Diego. In July 1942, it returned to service as the C-87 Liberator Express prototype, acting as a personnel and equipment transport and test platform. Following the war it was modified with long RY-3 nose and PBY nacelles and saw further use as an executive and personnel transport. It was acquired by the CAF in 1968.

The machine was grounded in 2016 for work that included an interior restoration and the overhaul of three engines. It will reportedly make its first post-restoration appearance at the Wings Over Dallas WW2 airshow this weekend.

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CAF’s B-24 “Diamond Lil” Nearing Return to Flight

After being grounded in 2016 for restoration, the Commemorative Air Force’s B-24 Liberator “Diamond Lil” is nearing its return to the air.

The aircraft (AM927) was delivered to the British in May 1941 and transferred to Trans World Airlines (TWA) to conduct training of RAF pilots out of Albuquerque, New Mexico. A landing accident shortly thereafter resulted in the bomber being returned to Consolidated in San Diego. In July 1942, it returned to service as the C-87 Liberator Express prototype, acting as a personnel and equipment transport and test platform. Following the war it was modified with long RY-3 nose and PBY nacelles and saw further use as an executive and personnel transport. It was acquired by the CAF in 1968.

The recent work was based on an ambitious plan to ensure continued flights well into the future. This initiative included an interior restoration and the overhaul of three engines – the last of which has just arrived at the CAF facility in Texas.

It is hoped that “Diamond Lil” will return to the air by July to continue its role as the oldest flying B-24. Click below to check out a selection of recent photos.

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CAF SoCal Wing to Restore P-47N “Meat Chopper” to Airworthy Condition

The Southern California Wing of the Commemorative Air Force (CAF SoCal) has reported that they have been selected to restore P-47N Thunderbolt N47TB.

The Pratt & Whitney R-2800-59B-powered aircraft (S/N 45-53436) was originally built by Republic Aviation in Evansville, Indiana and served with the Guatemalan Air Force in the 1950s before becoming part of the CAF collection in 1962.

In 2002, the aircraft, wearing the colors of “Meat Chopper” of the 464th FS/507th FG, suffered an engine fire which resulted in an emergency landing. Thankfully, the pilot walked away, but the aircraft itself sustained significant damage, including a collapsed undercarriage and broken wing.

To date, “tremendous” repair work has been carried out on the machine, but much remains before it is able to return to the air. It is currently in Dallas but will soon be transferred to the SoCal Wing’s facility at Camarillo Airport. As of this writing, a time frame for completion has not been reported.

Those wishing to contribute toward the project can do so here.

(via CAF SoCal Thanks, Pascal!)

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Watch D-Day Lead Aircraft “That’s All, Brother” Perform Its First Post-Restoration Flight [Video]

Today, the C-47 that led the paratroop drop during the D-Day invasion returns to the air for its first post-restoration flight in Oshkosh, Wisconsin.

The aircraft (S/N 42-92847), which was given the name “That’s All, Brother” in order to send a personal message to Hitler, was discovered by a researcher in 2015 as it was waiting to be converted into a modern BT-67 turboprop. After its historic significance was uncovered, the Texas-based Commemorative Air Force (CAF) stepped in to negotiate for acquisition of this extremely important part of world history.

The restoration has sought to return the historic machine to airworthy condition in its exact D-Day configuration. Once flight tests are complete, it will be assigned to the CAF Central Texas Wing in San Marcos, where volunteers will be responsible for its care and maintenance. Work will also be carried out to finish the interior and detail work and restore the machine’s exterior to its 1944 appearance. Over coming years, the CAF plans to offer aircraft tours, attend aviation events and conduct educational programs before flying “That’s All, Brother” back to Normandy to commemorate the 75th anniversary of the D-Day invasion in 2019.

Click below to check out video of the first flight.

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