Canada Aviation Museum B24

[seabee1526]

Is the Liberator at the Canada Aviation Museum flyable?

[bombadier29]

No but I believe it flew in there from India so it is probably in better shape than most others.

[Warbird Kid]

It was in 1968 when it was flown there.


I know the B-24 was important to the RCAF during the war, but I kind of wish this bird would find it's way back into the states, and more importantly, into the air.

[k5083]

Chris, I respectfully submit that U.S. having about 8 out of 12 preserved Libs is enough and that driving less than an hour from the U.S. border to see this one isn't too great of a hardship.

Also, a country that still has B-24s sitting out in the weather doesn't really deserve any more. Those are the ones you should want to rescue.

August

[Warbird Kid]

Chris, I respectfully submit that U.S. having about 8 out of 12 preserved Libs is enough and that driving less than an hour from the U.S. border to see this one isn't too great of a hardship.

Also, a country that still has B-24s sitting out in the weather doesn't really deserve any more. Those are the ones you should want to rescue.

August

Fair enough, but those 24's (if under private ownership) would have probably found there way indoors to museums or restoration shops years ago. It's kind of hard to save an aircraft that is government / military owned and displayed as such at a military base. I've been to the CAM before, but due to the size restraint of the museum, the B-24 (along with about half of the museum's collection) is sardined in the storage hangar and is only available for viewing during tours. It's not readily accessible. While I'm ecstatic the museum has preserved as many aircraft as they have, I think selling off or trading a few aircraft could aid them in enlarging the museum itself, to display the overall collection. Honestly I wouldn't have a problem with the B-24 staying in Canada. Especially if they flew her.

[Dan Jones]

My dad and a guy named Harry Tate pickled her engines and put her to bed when her flying days were over in '68 or so. She'll never fly again (and in my opinion shouldn't) but she has a very good home that you will see expand in the years to come so that the airplanes can be more properly displayed. There are more endangered B-24's out there to worry about and support than this one.

[Warbird Kid]

No doubt. Nothing more i'd like to see than the 24's still on outside display either come indoors or change hands. Boy would that be exciting if any of these suddenly "switched owners"?







As far as I can tell these are the only B-24's on outside display. Correct?

[bombadier29]

Regardless of who owns it, the museum at Barksdale AFB should loose every airplane they have on display. Without a doubt, that has got to be one of the most embarassing museums (as far as condition of the planes) I've ever seen. Anybody that hasn't been there in person has absolutly no idea how really bad the B-24 and B-29, among others, really are. And they have been that way for a long time.

[Mark Allen M]

Barksdale AFB Museum is always looking for help if anyone is so inclined.

http://www.8afmuseum.com/index.php?opti ... &Itemid=73

[bombadier29]

Barksdale AFB Museum is always looking for help if anyone is so inclined.

http://www.8afmuseum.com/index.php?opti ... &Itemid=73

How seriously are they trying? The last update they posted on that site is from 2011. I'm certain that they would love to take care of stuff much better and I'm certain they have good intentions. The fact is, they can't do it. Its past time for the USAFM to send some of the airplanes to other places. You really have to see the airpark to know how bad the airplanes really are! A paint job and good scrubbing are not going to work any longer on some of them. They had huge ideas for a world class museum with indoor storage for everything a few years ago when I passed through town and visited. Huge ideas and, sadly, no possibility of getting the accomplished.

Its time for them to admit they can't take care of some of these planes any longer. They owe it to the airplanes.

[old iron]

I heard that the Smithsonian wanted and has recently asked for the Barksdale B-24 and the Air Force turned down the request (this after the NASM has transferred the B-42, B-43, Avro saucer and other rare planes to the NMUSAF). Not sure what is going on there.

[Pat Carry]

I heard that the Smithsonian wanted and has recently asked for the Barksdale B-24 and the Air Force turned down the request (this after the NASM has transferred the B-42, B-43, Avro saucer and other rare planes to the NMUSAF). Not sure what is going on there.

Perhaps the Air Force wants to see the B-24 go to the scrapman within 10 years.

[Pat Carry]

No doubt. Nothing more i'd like to see than the 24's still on outside display either come indoors or change hands. Boy would that be exciting if any of these suddenly "switched owners"?







As far as I can tell these are the only B-24's on outside display. Correct?

Yes, Barksdale, Castle and the one in India. The ones on display inside are; the one in Canada, 2 in England, Weeks, Pima, Turkey (Ploesti veteran) and "Strawberry Bitch." That leaves just the Collings Foundation's and we all know it flys all over the country.

[Steve Nelson]

Don't forget a certain B-24A that's also a flier....

There's also the composite B-24 at the Hill AFB museum.

SN

[Pat Carry]

Don't forget a certain B-24A that's also a flier....

There's also the composite B-24 at the Hill AFB museum.

SN

Thanks Steve. I must have had a senoir moment!