B-24 Liberator "Dugan" ~ in close up

Steve Nelson · **Posted:** Wed May 18, 2011 9:52 am

The redesigned canopy was standard on very late B-24Ms and the XB-24N (it was also retrofitted to Ol' 927 and at least one or two other civil LB-30s.) One of the consistent complaints from pilots about the B-24 was cockpit visibility, and the "knife edge" windscreen and new canopy were an attempt to rectify the problem. I'm not sure, but I think the top panels either opened or were jettisonable for easier escape in an emergeny. I don't know if any aircraft with the new style canopy actually made it into combat.

SN

hercules130 · **Posted:** Wed May 18, 2011 10:14 am

To clarify and piggy back, the cockpit glass and forward nose glass where standard or common on M-20s and are not part of 51228s modifications as a research ship. As for seeing combat, the famous photo of B-24M-10 44-50838 appears to show the doomed machine having the same type of glass installation (at least forward nose). Also a search for B-24M images yielded several plates of 7 BG machines (M-15 and 20) so modified. 44-51054 Flame of the Squadron, could very well be the best nose art of all time! Check out http://www.markstyling.com for more, neat site. Does anyone know if this was done by Ford or a post production modification?

Gary

Speedy · **Posted:** Wed May 18, 2011 1:58 pm

To comment to anyone bitching about losing any of the aircraft 'across the pond' to the AAM in Duxford, just stop it right there. All the aircraft there are nicely restored, tastefully displayed, and taken into a part of the bigger IWM/Duxford experience is just a magical place to visit. For years I got donation requests for the AAM and I thought "why would I want to send my money OVERSEAS to a museum when I'd rather see the stuff here?" Then I went to Duxford....and have never asked that question again.

I bet there are plenty of Brits who would bitch because we have a Mossie in Dayton. But so what? We also have a couple of Vulcan's on display that I bet the RAF museums would love to have.

I remember the B-24 when it was on the parade grounds at Lackland...and trust me, not only is it in a better place right now, but it's in much better condition than it ever was in Texas. I wish ALL the aircraft on the parade grounds would get this kind of treatment, no matter where they ended up.

the330thbg · **Joined:** Wed Nov 14, 2007 3:06 pm **Posts:** 2713

bomberflight wrote:

Where is the bombardier glazing?

Awesome job.., I too remember her at Lackland.., I used to crawl all around her and the B-17 when I was a wee lad in the mid 70's.

Cheers again for the shots! :drinkers:

Django · **Posted:** Wed May 18, 2011 4:11 pm

I don't see any reason why there shouldn't be a B-17 or a B-24 at Duxford. Last time I checked, they were operational there originally, right?

Steve Nelson · **Posted:** Wed May 18, 2011 7:51 pm

bomberflight wrote:

Waist gun window ~ with a reflection of some guy taking a picture ( it's me ..... oops

)

Good to know I'm not the only one running around museums holding a camera over my head "onna steek!" :lol:

As for the aircraft going across the pond, while I would have preferred she stay in the States for purely selfish reasons, I am very glad that the Brits have given her a good home out of the weather, and are giving her the TLC she deserves!

SN

whistlingdeath77 · **Posted:** Thu May 19, 2011 5:06 am

she looks great

ww2John · **Posted:** Thu May 19, 2011 7:55 am

I am a charter member (or whatever the correct membership term is) for the American Air Museum in Britain (Duxford) where these aircraft are located for many reasons, not the least of which is that education about WWII is important in every country, not just the USA.
There is no doubt in my mind that they take extraordinary care of all the aircraft in their collection at the AAMIB, this B24 being just one example.
There is also no doubt in my mind that this B24 is in better hands at the AAMIB than it was on a parade ground in the USA. It is also probably seen by more people at Duxford than it was when on the parade ground.
...and, its not like there are no B24's we can see on this side of the pond...

whistlingdeath77 · **Posted:** Thu May 19, 2011 6:29 pm

ww2John wrote:

I am a charter member (or whatever the correct membership term is) for the American Air Museum in Britain (Duxford) where these aircraft are located for many reasons, not the least of which is that education about WWII is important in every country, not just the USA.
There is no doubt in my mind that they take extraordinary care of all the aircraft in their collection at the AAMIB, this B24 being just one example.
There is also no doubt in my mind that this B24 is in better hands at the AAMIB than it was on a parade ground in the USA. It is also probably seen by more people at Duxford than it was when on the parade ground.
...and, its not like there are no B24's we can see on this side of the pond...

i love the natick mall

APG85 · **Posted:** Sat May 21, 2011 5:47 am

I saw this B-25 up close in 1985 at Lackland and she was in less than desirable shape back then. Looks fantastic now. Several years ago there were numerous pictures of her restoration on the old HeavyBombers web site but unfortunately that site is gone...

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B-24 Liberator "Dugan" ~ in close up

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