Gary ~ What's The Plan For Diamond Lil ? 2006 and Beyond!

bomberflight · **Posted:** Fri Oct 27, 2006 7:20 am

Gary

OK ~ you got me ~ I can't be patient any longer ..... what's the plan for "Lil" ????????

I picked this up from another thread ....

Quote:

Heck, now that I've started on some serious changes to the B-24A that'll take place this winter,

I've read thru the last two quaterly newsletters from the B29/B24 Squadron website ~ there's a few hints that "Lil" needs to look more like a bomber

TAdan · **Posted:** Fri Oct 27, 2006 7:34 am

I saw that too...

Chuck Gardner · **Posted:** Fri Oct 27, 2006 8:18 am

maybe a little metamorphisis..........................

retroaviation · **Posted:** Fri Oct 27, 2006 8:46 am

Gimme just about an hour longer guys........I've been drilling since 3 this morning, and I'll have pictures for you shortly.

I was wondering how long it would take before I started getting quizzed on this. :wink:

Gary

retroaviation · **Posted:** Fri Oct 27, 2006 9:57 am

Well, if you're gonna transform the old "Diamond Lil" back into a B-24A, like it was originally going to be, you gotta start somewhere.............

Waist gunner's lower window plug removed...

Waist gunner's hatch plug removed...

I will get as much done with transforming our airplane back into the B-24A configuration as possible this winter. The plan is to have it back on it's normal tour schedule next spring. I will obviously be limited on time as to how much I can get done this winter. However, the hopes are that it'll be something more "bomber-like."

Gary

Django · **Posted:** Fri Oct 27, 2006 10:04 am

Wow!

Will she still be "Diamond Lil"?

FlyingFortB17 · **Joined:** Mon Jan 02, 2006 7:55 pm **Posts:** 190

So what should a B-24A look like compared to an LB-30? Does anyone have any wartime pictures?

TAdan · **Posted:** Fri Oct 27, 2006 10:08 am

Wow! Thanks for sharing Gary

I think you've made my day!

TimAPNY · **Posted:** Fri Oct 27, 2006 10:08 am

That is great Gary, please keep us up to date.

Tim

retroaviation · **Posted:** Fri Oct 27, 2006 10:28 am

I've got a computer savvy friend of mine working on getting the plan for our B-24A on a web page (or similar) so that y'all can see what direction we'll be going with it.

I cannot say for sure what paint scheme it'll be, only because it will depend on what it looks like after it's stripped of it's current paint. I can just say that we're going to try to make it as original looking as possible with the facilities, time, and money that we have. What we don't get done this year, we'll hopefully be able to add to it as time goes on.

Gary

bomberflight · **Posted:** Fri Oct 27, 2006 10:38 am

Gary ~ thanks for turning a dull, cold, grey Friday into a super day !!!!

P-40less in TX · **Joined:** Wed Sep 27, 2006 5:37 pm **Posts:** 33

Fantastic!

Maybe you can fly it through some flak for that "authentic" appearance.

Dan K · **Posted:** Fri Oct 27, 2006 11:31 am

Oo! Oo! Oooooo!

Not too many jobs more fascinating than drilling out rivets, but man I wish I could be down there helpin' y'all!

Maybe some extra holes in her will help the air flow, too. I recall it being pretty stuffy in there the one time I hitched a ride. :wink:

Let us know if you're searching for any particular bits to finish the job.

Neat project!

Tigercat · **Joined:** Mon Jun 20, 2005 11:54 am **Posts:** 283

Great news Gary!! This is will be a very exciting project for all of us to follow!!

B-29 Super Fort · **Joined:** Wed Sep 01, 2004 11:12 am **Posts:** 807

Thanks Gary...great pics of Lil.

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Gary ~ What's The Plan For Diamond Lil ? 2006 and Beyond!

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