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"Ole AM927" back when it wasn't so "Ole" ...

Sat Jan 05, 2019 7:12 pm

For those who haven't seen these photos and may have an interest.

Per wiki: "Built at Consolidated San Diego as B-24A. Intended for RAF as AM927. Involved in landing accident during training flight. Returned to San Diego for repairs and not sent to England. Converted to use as transport aircraft, flying between San Diego, Fort Worth, New York, and Washington D.C. Following WW2, sold to Continental Can Co. and used as executive airplane until 1955. Then sold to Petroleos Mexicanos. Purchased in 1969 by CAF. In 1971 restored in livery of 98th Bomb Group, Pyramiders of the 9th Air Force. Converted in 2006 to B-24A. Since 2012 wears livery of "Diamond Lil." Along with 44-44052, one of only two airworthy B-24's."

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Re: "Ole AM927" back when it wasn't so "Ole" ...

Sat Jan 05, 2019 8:47 pm

I’ve never seen the interior images. Appears quite comfortable for the era! As always, thank you, Mark.

Re: "Ole AM927" back when it wasn't so "Ole" ...

Sat Jan 05, 2019 9:26 pm

Is the interior still the same?

Re: "Ole AM927" back when it wasn't so "Ole" ...

Sat Jan 05, 2019 11:58 pm

Don't think so.

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Re: "Ole AM927" back when it wasn't so "Ole" ...

Sun Jan 06, 2019 3:34 am

Still plying the skies today, pretty amazing. I wonder how much of the metal seen in the first picture is the same as in the last.

Re: "Ole AM927" back when it wasn't so "Ole" ...

Sun Jan 06, 2019 10:37 am

C VEICH wrote:Still plying the skies today, pretty amazing. I wonder how much of the metal seen in the first picture is the same as in the last.

About 90% is the same.

Re: "Ole AM927" back when it wasn't so "Ole" ...

Sun Jan 06, 2019 10:38 am

Craig59 wrote:I’ve never seen the interior images. Appears quite comfortable for the era! As always, thank you, Mark.


I've ridden in that interior. It was quiet and very comfortable.

Re: "Ole AM927" back when it wasn't so "Ole" ...

Sun Jan 06, 2019 11:47 am

Mark Allen M wrote:Then sold to Petroleos Mexicanos.

To fill in that period as XC-CAY, circa 1966:

b-24xc-caymexb241rk.jpg
b-24xc-caymexb241rk.jpg (16.89 KiB) Viewed 2264 times


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B&W shots are still frames from the Mexican film La Vida de Pedro Infante, recreating the beloved singer's last moments in the B-24J XA-KUN.

Re: "Ole AM927" back when it wasn't so "Ole" ...

Sun Jan 06, 2019 2:02 pm

The movie "La Vida de Pedro Infante" can be viewed on YouTube at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ipzxcPUbnVU .

Fleeting views of AM927, sometimes just the engines, begin at about 1:36:28 and end at 1:41:05. The interior cockpit scenes were definitely not filmed in a Liberator. I don't know which aircraft was used.

Re: "Ole AM927" back when it wasn't so "Ole" ...

Sun Jan 06, 2019 6:49 pm

From the looks of it, the cockpit scenes were filmed in a C-54/DC-4 (maybe it had better camera access?).

Re: "Ole AM927" back when it wasn't so "Ole" ...

Sun Jan 06, 2019 11:12 pm

ConfederateAF13k.jpg
ConfederateAF13k.jpg (29.57 KiB) Viewed 1959 times

Re: "Ole AM927" back when it wasn't so "Ole" ...

Mon Jan 07, 2019 11:18 am

Where on earth did you find those pictures!?!?! We've seen some of them.....

Very darn cool.

I will say that she is drafty in flight, thats not a complaint mind you. In the summer, makes for a great ride. In the winter.....not so much.

I can only imagine how comfortable the ride was with the fancy interior. CARPET?!?!?!?!? holy smokes......


Thanks for posting!!! Very cool!!

Re: "Ole AM927" back when it wasn't so "Ole" ...

Mon Jan 07, 2019 9:08 pm

Thanks so much for the pix, all of y'all. About 500 years ago on the way to my first CAF airshow with spanking new driver's license, I happened to look up and there was Diamond Lil chugging along inbound. She was the first WWII bomber I ever saw flying, and the sight was, and is, indelibly imprinted inside my head and still pops up often. Then, years later, she caused me to meet and get to know Gary Austin. Needless to say, I have a major soft spot for the grand old gal and any thread on her really makes me sit up straight and pay attention. :heart:

Re: "Ole AM927" back when it wasn't so "Ole" ...

Mon Jan 07, 2019 9:59 pm

Are the WIX plaques still on the guns? The ones we pitched in for...

Re: "Ole AM927" back when it wasn't so "Ole" ...

Tue Jan 08, 2019 4:26 am

IIRC at least one was stolen long ago.
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