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

CAPFlyer · **Posted:** Fri Jan 09, 2009 7:41 am

Yeah, the antenna installation in the picture was a post-conversion thing. Consolidated put several extra radios into the airplane as part of their testing of different equipment, and that antenna arrangement (ran from a mast on the #4 nacelle to a mast on the #1 nacelle) was one of the many configurations tested. I believe the single aerial on the captain's side was the only one originally fitted to the aircraft when it rolled out as a B-24A.

As for the mud flap, it's still there, just shortened from 1/4 round to about 1/8 round.

Django · **Posted:** Fri Jan 09, 2009 4:08 pm

What is that shield looking piece behind the props?

B29B24crewchief · **Joined:** Sun Sep 28, 2008 9:44 pm **Posts:** 379

Not sure what that is. My guess is it was designed to deflect more air around the cylinders for additional cooling. What do you think?
Dave

CAPFlyer · **Posted:** Fri Jan 09, 2009 10:50 pm

Hey Dave, you don't happen to know why they used lock nuts on the seat rails instead of blind nuts do you?

B29B24crewchief · **Joined:** Sun Sep 28, 2008 9:44 pm **Posts:** 379

Chris, all I know is the factory chose not to use blind nuts on the seat rails for the B-24. Why they did is somewhat of a mystery? I will allow that change if you or someone out there what to tackle that.

B29B24crewchief · **Joined:** Sun Sep 28, 2008 9:44 pm **Posts:** 379

Alan Brooks wrote:

Hey everyone, just got a chance to look over this pic just a bit more.... Hey Chris, check out the aerial antenna just behind the #4 engine.... and then also check out the nose gear mud flap! I'll keep looking over this picture to see what else is interesting... oops, in this picture, 927 also has that big ADF football sitting behind the ADF loop......hmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm
Just noticed... it looks like the right side waist gunners hatch is still intact... Anything else noticeable to you B-24 aficionados? Alan

Alan, this picture is after Consolidated took over the airplane. The antenna behind #4 was something they added and we will not put one there. I found the football antenna and will be sending it up to you for installation in it's proper place. Also, Gary informed me that the flat plates behind the props were put there to assist in cooling but they didn't work!
Dave

Alan Brooks · **Posted:** Fri Jan 16, 2009 7:54 pm

OK guys and girls, a new update is on the way, but it will be just a little later.... Had a funeral to attend and I have been battling a stinking sinus allergy/cold........ But, I was working on the big girl last night. So, pics and updates soooooooonnnnnnn. Alan

Alan Brooks · **Posted:** Sat Jan 17, 2009 12:08 am

OK, OK, OK, OK..... I'm running late, and my nose is attempting to ooze stuff onto my keyboard....... I won't go into further details on that, just to say I feel like cr@p. Last Tuesday night the #3 engine was indeed removed. So the procress began to secure the engine to a shipping pallet, so the engine can go out for overhaul....... Thank YOU Mr Cavanaugh, Doug, and Steve! So the "gently used" engine was repositioned next to the new engine, and the process of exchanging accessories had begun. So, this past Thursday night, continued the same process.... More hands onboard to work. Mike and Mike, Brian, Jon, Chris, Jake, and myself. More stuff going on including cleaning up the dishpan (attempting!) and washing/wiping down the #3 compartment. I don't think I did a very good job, but Jon Brawner kept saying, "Hey, it's looking better!" This coming from a guy who had been at the Ezell's all day. You couldn't wipe the grin from his face...... The F/E seat, and pilot/copilot chairs were removed for repairs and recovering. The #1 and #4 carb heat actuators were defective and removed for servicing..... just lots of stuff going on, or as Mike D says... "just working the list"....
And "She's off!"

Now the engine is secured to pallet, with Brian striking a manly pose..

Twins! The new engine in the front and the "gently used" engine behind.

The two offending carb heat actuators as removed.....

Hey Guys! I almost had to install "bucket seats" again!!!!! But I'll save that for the next work day!!!

bomberflight · **Posted:** Sat Jan 17, 2009 5:54 am

Thanks for taking the time to post the update Al !

Alan Brooks · **Posted:** Thu Jan 29, 2009 8:00 am

OK all, I have finished working my stretch at the hospital and should have time to get an update in by this evening....... also, I write a little local "webpage" update called the "Mini-Flyer", http://www.cafb29b24.org/a/Mini-Flyer.htm , for the local DFW members of the B-29/B-24 Squadron. It is available on the squadron website, along with the "Flyer", http://www.cafb29b24.org/a/Newsletter.htm

Mody Edy - Linky fixedy by JDKy

Ztex · **Posted:** Thu Jan 29, 2009 3:35 pm

Al...link no worky :cry:

Alan Brooks · **Posted:** Fri Jan 30, 2009 1:12 pm

Thanks JDKy for fixing linky..... Ok, sorry that I am long overdue...... I still have to punch a time clock for making a living...... No Megamillion winner yet :wink:

Ok, the past weeks have flown.... the new engine has been hung and maintenance items are ongoing.... Annual is now fully underway with Rick Garvis coming in from Galveston to lead the way. John Flynn was able to stay a second week and that has helped immensely. The full text is available at http://www.cafb29b24.org/a/Mini-Flyer/2 ... l2-No4.pdf . [Mod Ed - leave the punctuation of the end of links, or put in a space like I have - it's bad grammar, but good HTML - a full stop or comma at the end stops the delightful little things working. Cheers, JDK.] Only one cylinder had to be changed, the #3 cylinder on the #1 engine. We had battery box corrosion issues to deal with, nothing major, but items that have to be corrected. We also plan on installing pre-oilers for all for engines... I will try to be on top of those items when the process begins.

Most engine accessories now installed and the engine is safety wired and almost ready for installation.

Battery tray issue now corrected.

The sliding glass windows are out and will be replaced. I'm hoping for some big 'ol bug eyed glass cockpit sliding glass windows, but I'm not holding my breath for now....... but there is tomorrow!!

retroaviation · **Posted:** Fri Jan 30, 2009 1:31 pm

Just FYI...that airplane never had the "bug eye" sliding windows on it when in the configuration that it is representing now. Those windows were installed late in it's life with Consolidated Aircraft (I believe around 1945 or 1946).

Gary

Alan Brooks · **Posted:** Fri Jan 30, 2009 3:03 pm

Oh most all knowing and masterful wizard of "Aus", this humble servant request that thou let us slide (pun not intended) on this one... because those bugeye windows just look so darn cool! Lowly grasshopper.... Alan

Warbird Kid · **Posted:** Fri Jan 30, 2009 4:52 pm

Never mind that! How about installing bomb bay doors and getting the aircraft one step closer to original configuration? :wink:

Or maybe re routing the cable lines so the top gunner position can be installed?

Chris the Nag!

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

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