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

[daveymac82c]

Hey Gary,

This may be a really stupid question, but looking at some of your recent pictures of Diamond Lil, how come the engine cowlings are perfectly round instead of the oval shaped cowlings (with the inlets on the sides) that I'm used to seeing on B-24's?

Take your time replying, I should let you get back to work.

Cheers,

David

[rwdfresno]

This may be a really stupid question, but looking at some of your recent pictures of Diamond Lil, how come the engine cowlings are perfectly round instead of the oval shaped cowlings (with the inlets on the sides) that I'm used to seeing on B-24's?

That is actually the way that the early models were configured.

[retroaviation]

Hey Gary,

This may be a really stupid question, but looking at some of your recent pictures of Diamond Lil, how come the engine cowlings are perfectly round instead of the oval shaped cowlings (with the inlets on the sides) that I'm used to seeing on B-24's?

Cheers,
David

Not a stupid question, David. As a matter of fact, that's probably one of the most asked questions we get...well, that or "when are you going to put the "real" cowlings on that airplane?"

The fact is that ALL B-24A's had the round cowlings. To my knowledge, all other B-24's after the "A" model had the elliptical ones. Now, with that being said, in 1945, our airplane did get modified by Consolidated in order to accomodate the PBY Catalina firewall forwards. The basic cowling arrangement on the PBY setup is identical to the B-24A, with the exception of the oil cooler installation, exhaust, and some other, smaller items. The reason for the change was that Consolidated was still producing PBY's and since they knew they were going to operate Ol' 927 (as they called it) for many more years (until November 1948), they just refitted it with parts that they were still producing, rather than custom building parts, like the exhaust, for it. Make sense?






And, since I ruined the paint this morning, I've been pretty much useless to the project today. Just running around aimlessly and watching Paul, Scott, and Ellen working, so today is a good day for questions.

I've spoken with the paint folks and they seem to think that the catalyst for the paint is bad. I asked them about QuestMaster's suggestion with the "wrinkle paint" possibility, but IF the catalyst was working properly, after 8 hours, that shouldn't be a factor. However, IF the catalyst is bad, that's probably what happened. The paint store rep is getting with the PPG folks to see if they have any better answers and to see how we're going to resolve this. Heck, maybe I can get them to move my deadline back a couple of months now! Probably not, huh?

Gary

[daveymac82c]

Oh cool, I didn't realize that Diamond Lil was an early model. Looking at that picture I can see some other differences besides the cowling. The tail section seems different, it's hard to say how, but it does. ha.

Thanks again,

David

[retroaviation]

Well, there are many, many, many differences between the "A" model and the other models of B-24's. As a matter of fact, the only main similarities are that they're all made by Consolidated, they all have two vertical fins (yes, I'm just talking about the B-24's, not the PB-4Y's ), they all have four engines, and they all have a training wheel........I mean, nosewheel instead of a tailwheel.

But the point to my previous post, in order to answer your question, is that our airplane does indeed have the correct cowlings on it (well, more or less ).

Gary

[bomberflight]

Gary ~ I love the way you've covered up your nose art just like in the lower picture posted today ~ just how authentic can you get !

Keep your chin up ~ you already run the 26 miles .... its now just a few laps around the stadium and you've won !

[retroaviation]

Well, in my uselessness today, there has been at least a tiny glimmer of redemption. The paint guys officially said that it was their catalyst for the paint that made it do what it did. Old stuff that they shouldn't have sold me in the first place. Nice, huh?

Anyway, they are giving us a little more paint and some better catalyst to help with the problem, but I've yet to get them to tell me when they're going to be here to sand all of this ruined paint off the cowling for me.

In the mean time, Paul was able to completely finish the "brush painted" items on the airplane. Both "27's" on the tail are done, along with the "ARMY" under the left wing. They look fantastic......in a brushed on sort of way.

Scott has been working on getting the fuselage patch fabricated and installed on the left side, just forward of the entry door. He's just plugging away and will likely have it shot on in a day or so.

Ellen has been cleaning the windows in the airplane. Between West Texas dust and the occasional "oops" with overspray (when the masking paper blew up while painting), it's been quite a task. She and Paul are now masking the windows to prep them for their edge seals (pookie) that we'll likely put on tomorrow.

Well, that's it for now. I'll try to be more productive tomorrow.

Gary

[JDK]

Just for a little light relief:

[retroaviation]

Funny stuff JDK! Thanks for the smile at the end of a lonnnng day.

Gary

[JDK]

Funny stuff JDK! Thanks for the smile at the end of a lonnnng day.

Only sorry I can't provide more practical help. Hang in there!

[Second Air Force]

JDK,

That photo is BETTER than practical help to me! I laughed harder at that picture than anything since we got here!

Scott

[Former Member]

Just for a little light relief:

Good one JDK I haven't laughed this hard in a very long time!!!

John

[b29flteng]

About the question inregards to the round cowling; on the later model B-24s they put the carburetor and oil cooler/intercooler intakes on the side of the cowling, thus the oval shape. The B-24A didn't have that set up, the carb intake is taken off of the top of the engine. Take a close look at all of the great photos of the B-24As on this site and you will see what I mean. Remember the B-24A didn't have a turbo-charger either, that may have made a difference too. Correct me if I'm wrong Gary.

[Lynn Allen]

Gary, any chance that the primer or paint is either old stock or the temp from the great snow storm of April did it in?

Lynn

[daveymac82c]

OK, I've got another question I think might be a stupid one.

What was with the novelty sized American Flags all over the Liberator in those pictures? Weren't the US rondels enough?

-David