Warbird Information Exchange

Tomorrow is April 25 ... Anzac Day.

A day on which all servicemen and servicewomen are remembered and honoured for their service to the nation.

We especially remember those who have sadly died and many others who have been or were injured in combat and peacetime events.

Many B-24 crews served in WW2 and are in some parts forgotten by the public with other aircraft and units taking the public's attention.
The B-24 Werribee memorial hopes to educate people a bit more to ensure the B-24 service is never forgotten.
Not to be forgotten are the Oxford and Anson trainer crews.

It would be nice to raise $176 tomorrow in a tribute to the former A72-176 service in WW2. With 651 people alone on the facebook page following that could be easily broken.
All money goes towards upkeep of the project.

Consider a donation at this link -

https://www.paypal.com/au/cgi-bin/websc ... ac45ceda81

This week news is for the people rather than the aircraft.

On 26th April 2014 the annual reunion for those who were in RAAF B-24 Liberator squadrons during WW2 was held at the hangar.

We had 80 veterans, family & friends attended this year for lunch along with lots of talking.....

As usual, a great event.

Pic 1: Hangar crew members who worked at the event.
Pic 2: Feeding the hungry throng.

(Thanks to Judy Gilbert)

https://www.facebook.com/B24Werribee/ph ... 91/?type=1

https://www.facebook.com/B24Werribee/ph ... 59/?type=1

Varied news updates this week to share - all photos supplied by Ron

A late one in from Anzac Day. Nat Eichler (radio operator) in the back & John Baker (Nav) next to the driver. Both attended our B24 Squadron reunion the next day at the hangar along with about 80 Vets & their family's. https://fbcdn-sphotos-a-a.akamaihd.net/ ... 4465_n.jpg

The B24 & I presume other aircraft of that period, used these "speed screws & plates" to attach pipe & electrical cable clips to the stringers. Ive found countersunk screws on line but not the round head type with a flat end. Can anyone head me in the right direction ? https://scontent-a-lax.xx.fbcdn.net/hph ... 2961_n.jpg

B24 President, Doug (left) and the ever helpful Ed finishing off a mould for the radar dome while Hangar Manager, Tony (front) and Graeme erect scaffolding at the rear spar of the stb wing. https://fbcdn-sphotos-e-a.akamaihd.net/ ... 5480_n.jpg
https://fbcdn-sphotos-g-a.akamaihd.net/ ... 7820_n.jpg

Should be AN530-10R10 , which is obsolete. Aircraft Spruce has an equivalent listed but only in 1/2 (p/n 10X1/2-B-RO-PH) and 1 inch (10X1-B-RO-PH) lengths, not the 5/8 shown. The thread is referred to as type "B" blunt vs typ "A" which is pointed
The current replacement is MS51861-46, which is type "AB" it has a bluntly pointed tip.

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Lest Hero-worship raise it's head and cloud our vision, remember that World War II was fought and won by the same sort of twenty-something punks we wouldn't let our daughters date.

Ken and Doug tickling the ribs of the Oxford while big brother looks on. Thanks to John for the great pics.
https://fbcdn-sphotos-h-a.akamaihd.net/ ... 0181_n.jpg

https://scontent-b-sjc.xx.fbcdn.net/hph ... 5921_n.jpg

Time for another B-24 project update.... we have got some nose area photos to show how we are progressing. Each week will we try to show a different section of the aircraft to educate our followers.

Also we are having a BBQ for Volunteers week tomorrow so will try and get some more photos to share.

As shown in order with the photos.

1...Colin installing oxy gear & lines in the nose area.https://fbcdn-sphotos-e-a.akamaihd.net/ ... 0064_n.jpg

2...Norton bomb sight plus bomb aimers control panel.https://fbcdn-sphotos-c-a.akamaihd.net/ ... 8368_n.jpg

3..Nose gear bay looking back.https://scontent-b-lax.xx.fbcdn.net/hph ... 1366_n.jpg

4...Nose gear bay looking fwd.https://fbcdn-sphotos-f-a.akamaihd.net/ ... 4184_n.jpg

Our 2nd lot of photos show more of our people who make this project happen.

Remember everyone volunteers their own time to help rebuild this B-24 Liberator.. no one is paid.

1... John is a preservation specialist. He can return anything to almost new appearance & is happy to spend all day doing it. We don’t know where we would be without him.https://scontent-a-lax.xx.fbcdn.net/hph ... e=53EE6C75

2...Dave. Every organisation has someone that knows past history and future plans. Dave is it for the B-24.https://fbcdn-sphotos-a-a.akamaihd.net/ ... 1572_n.jpg

3... Frank, our “Mr fix it man” and new volunteer, Dom attending to the wheels on out test stand, while Tony offers advice from the fork lift.https://fbcdn-sphotos-c-a.akamaihd.net/ ... 4355_n.jpg

Wow, awesome work taking place there. Thanks or the photos. Was this Liberator just a stripped out shell when the project started?

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Ain't no sunshine when she's gone!

If interested in donating money online to our project, any person will need to login into http://www.paypal.com to send the money.

Once logged into paypal, you will need to enter in our paypal account address to send money, this address is shown below -

b24Iiberator@aapt.net.au

Thank you for taking time to read this and we appreciate any money generously donated. All money received in from donors helps to keep our various projects going.

At the B-24 Liberator Memorial we don't only have the hangar and aircraft we also have smaller displays which are transportable.

At times we get out to fetes and local shows across Victoria to display and inform people about what we do. These public displays help to raise our profile with a wide range of people.

Shown below are photos where we see some of our displays. We take displays which include merchandise, engine, cockpit and gun turret. One photo is from a 2013 event and the others are from the more recent 2014 event held at Gisborne

If interested in donating money online to our historical project, we suggest to login into http://www.paypal.com and then enter our paypal address - b24Iiberator@aapt.net.au - to send money.

Merchandise display - https://www.facebook.com/B24Werribee/ph ... 26/?type=1

Engine display - https://www.facebook.com/B24Werribee/ph ... 27/?type=1

Interactive cockpit display - https://www.facebook.com/B24Werribee/ph ... 59/?type=1

Gun turret display - https://www.facebook.com/B24Werribee/ph ... 93/?type=1

Time for more B-24 restoration photos. Today we are focusing on our gun turrets and the new radar unit with 5 photos to view.

1 - Our radio/radar expert, Charles with the new radar unit. https://www.facebook.com/B24Werribee/ph ... 65/?type=1

2 and 3 - Slow progress on the rear turret Perspex domes. https://www.facebook.com/B24Werribee/ph ... 62/?type=1 and https://www.facebook.com/B24Werribee/ph ... 98/?type=1

4 and 5 - The ball turret views. https://www.facebook.com/B24Werribee/ph ... 24/?type=1 and https://www.facebook.com/B24Werribee/ph ... permPage=1

More to come shortly on other gun positions.

Update photos for this week include a map showing the main bases the RAAF operated B-24 Liberators from and the massive range they had into Asia and the Pacific. The dotted line denotes range for there and back flights.https://fbcdn-sphotos-f-a.akamaihd.net/ ... 9286_n.jpg

We have also more photos of our dedicated volunteers at work.

First is one of our lovely shop helpers. The first person visitors usually
meet.https://fbcdn-sphotos-h-a.akamaihd.net/ ... 7316_o.jpg

We then see Dom raising an P & W 1830 power plant while fitting an exhaust ring.https://fbcdn-sphotos-c-a.akamaihd.net/ ... 6952_o.jpg

Finally Roger working on the rear port wing attach point.https://fbcdn-sphotos-b-a.akamaihd.net/ ... 2581_o.jpg

Stay tuned for more news

We have been asked by some people if we were going to have another run of pavers to put in the memorial wall.

We have contacted the paver suppliers and were told that we would need 35 orders before they will schedule a new production run. The B-24 memorial wall is a recognition of those who served in Liberators either Australian or US, either flight or ground crew.

It also aims to recognise those who have worked on/supported the b-24 Werribee restoration.

A single paver, 230 X115 mm, is $50, a double is $100. At the moment we are looking for expressions of interest. Anyone who thinks that they might like a paver to be dedicated in their name, can contact Judy on our email liberator@b24australia.org.au

This past weekend was quite busy which saw a visit from an aviation club in the morning and a Heritage Engineers Ceremony in the afternoon.
The engineers presented us with two awards for the work and recognition - one for the Werribee hangar and one for the B-24 Liberator aircraft. The hangar was given national recognition.
Over 100 people attended. Photos include -

Owen Peake Heritage Engineers emceeing the function https://fbcdn-sphotos-g-a.akamaihd.net/ ... 4489_o.jpg

Alex Baitch National President Heritage Engineers https://fbcdn-sphotos-a-a.akamaihd.net/ ... 9604_o.jpg
Also Alex Baitch https://fbcdn-sphotos-e-a.akamaihd.net/ ... 4653_o.jpg

Overview of hangar Andrew Elsbury MLC for Western Metropolitan addressing the gathering. https://fbcdn-sphotos-c-a.akamaihd.net/ ... 5994_o.jpg

4 Liberator workers Vern, Phil, Ian & Dan discussing the day.https://scontent-b-sea.xx.fbcdn.net/hph ... 0286_o.jpg

This is the story board & plaque for the hangar which was given international recognition. https://fbcdn-sphotos-d-a.akamaihd.net/ ... 0899_o.jpg

On 28th September our "girl" A72-176, turns 70 so we're having a birthday party, at the restoration hangar corner Farm Rd & Princes Highway Werribee from 9.30 to about 4.30.
There will be engine runs, some of the turrets will be operating....not on the plane but as floor exhibits; the Norden bombsight will operate and , if we get that far, the radar will also operate.
As well there will be a jumping castle, a military re-enactment group, sausage sizzle, morning/afternoon teas, guided tours. We'll be asking $5 donation on entry.
Melways map reference is 205 F10. GPS devices don't recognise the hangar as it doesn't have a street address but if you enter Farm Rd on the device that will get you close by. We're hoping to see lots of fans on the day.

Latest restoration work being undertaken in Australia on the static B-24 Liberator bomber - https://www.facebook.com/B24Werribee/po ... 1658215344