Werribee Aus B-24 Restoration + B-24 India remains

[Django]

Stumbled across this site with some cool restoration photos...

http://www.wolseleycarclub.com/index.ph ... b24-outing

Last edited by Django on Tue Jul 01, 2008 3:48 pm, edited 1 time in total.

[Django]

What the heck, as long as I am obsessed with B-24s at the moment...

Found this article about a crashed B-24 in India with remains, as of 2007 unrecovered.

http://frontierindia.net/hot-as-hell-found-in-paradise

[lestweforget]

Some nice photo's there of the B-24 (and some nice cars too!!) Are the bottom pictures of spares or old pics of restored parts? I wonder if they still plan to make her taxiable? Looks like excellent work anyway and all the best to them

[kmiles]

Their direct website is:
www.b24australia.com

One of their volunteers is coming over to TOM to ride on our B-24, and sure he will give our crew an update.

[Mark_Pilkington]

.
The Australian B-24 restoration continues on successfully with the long term aim of a static (non-flying) aircraft but with operational engines and ability to taxi.

A real credit to those working on her.

Regards

Mark Pilkington

[Django]

That will be pretty cool that it can at least taxi around under it's own power.

Think they will paint her up like this ship?

[Mark_Pilkington]

.
The B24 at Werribee is based on the fuselage of a former RAAF B24M A24-176 (44-41956) and the wing from a PNG wreck USAF B-24D 42-41091.

It is understood the aircraft will be displayed as itself A24-176 in RAAF markings.

regards

Mark Pilkington

[Ryan Keough]

.
The Australian B-24 restoration continues on successfully with the long term aim of a static (non-flying) aircraft but with operational engines and ability to taxi.

I always wondered why it will not be a flyer? The amount and quality of work looks on par to flyable ships... is it the cost of insurance and operations that is preventing them?

It looks like they have come a long way since only a few years ago!

Thanks,
Ryan

[Mark_Pilkington]

.
The B24D wing centre-section from PNG has suffered corrosion from grass fires and would probably require significant dis-assembly and reconstruction to return it to airworthy condition. (it may also have torsional and dimensional damage from the forced landing??)

The B24D wing outer panels were cut off the centre section for ease of recovery, with the intention of splicing their attach angles back on later, although I now believe the aircraft has PB4Y wing outers recovered from Powers and Hawkins?

The Fuselage has suffered significant corrosion in the bomb bay and lower structure from its long term storage on the ground.

The project commenced as an aim to display a B24 in Australia by the RAAF B24 Squadron Associations, I think they have always sought a static/museum outcome rather than an airworthy outcome. Prior to discovery of the original RAAF fuselage, the group was pursueing the elusive "chinese" B24, as well as the "Canadian" B24 wreck. I dont think they ever had the funding expectations to acquire a flying example, or to restore an example to fly.

Still a fantastic effort.

regards

Mark Pilkington

Last edited by Mark_Pilkington on Wed Jul 02, 2008 7:03 am, edited 1 time in total.

[ww2John]

Thank-you Mark P for the insights and background on this fantastic, long-term project.

[Django]

.


It is understood the aircraft will be displayed as itself A24-176 in RAAF markings.

Was 176 named or have any nose art? Couldn't tell really from their site.

[Mark_Pilkington]

.
I understand A72-176 was a training aircraft, and did not carry any nose art?

from adf-serials.com site

Served with 7 OTU East Sale. G/Capt Kingwell's aircraft. Last flown Mascot-East Sale 22 March 1946 by F/O Ed Crabtree. Became Instructional Airframe No.5.Fuselage extant today as basis for static restoration programme. Quoted disposal date ex-East Sale 23 March 1948. Under Restoration Werribee VIC. Parts of B-24D USAF 42-41091 was receovered from PNG and used as part of this restoration project.

Here is a picture of the B24-D wing centre section showing some of the grass fire damage.



An idea of how much work they have done to restore the fuselage and fit the wing.







Fuselage was found in the 1980's in the yard of a farm house, hidden under a lumber pile (being used to protect the aircraft), the owner had purchased it post war, cut the wings off and shipped the fuselage home, and returned to recover his wings to find they had been smelted down by the scrappie.

But an excellent outcome to have salted away the last RAAF B24 fuselage and keep it safe until such a projet could commence.

regards

Mark Pilkington

[warbird1]

Now, the real question is, will it be considered the "world's only taxiiable" B-24?


*runs and ducks for cover*

[Mark_Pilkington]

.
well as far as I know there are no taxi-ing or flying B-24's existing in the world today (according to some criteria), only a former RAF LB30 and a former RAF "Liberator IV" are flying, no "real" B-24's?.

So when A72-176 is completed it is clear it will become the only complete, and taxi-ing "real" B24M/D in the world - smiles

(I understand Australia's B-24's were taken directly from USAF production without any unique equipment mods so they are "real" B-24's not RAF "Liberators" as might be found in the British or even Indian Air Forces - beware imitations!- smiles)

(and apologies to CAF and Collings for casting aspursions above as I do admire their work, efforts and achievements greatly)

regards

Mark Pilkington

[Second Air Force]

ZING

You get extra points for style on that last post, Mark!!! I've always wanted to mention that Liberator IV statistic in some of the other "discussions" about Liberator bloodlines.

My hat is off to the folks restoring A72-176, she will be a fantastic piece when finished.

Scott