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

[Ztex]

Ineresting read.

One question...it state that "After landing, which was nornal, the nose wheel was lowered..."

What are they talking about?
I have seen a picture of a B-24A, in a Jay Miller book, with a tail wheel hanging out the back about where the skid is...did 927 have such an assembly?

[retroaviation]

Ineresting read.

One question...it state that "After landing, which was nornal, the nose wheel was lowered..."

They landed on the main wheels first, then lowered the nosewheel to the runway. If you land a B-24 with that spindly little nosegear touching the ground first, you'll be filling out accident reports shortly thereafter.

Gary

[clangjr]

Ineresting read.

One question...it state that "After landing, which was nornal, the nose wheel was lowered..."

They landed on the main wheels first, then lowered the nosewheel to the runway. If you land a B-24 with that spindly little nosegear touching the ground first, you'll be filling out accident reports shortly thereafter.

Gary

I see his confusion. The "nose wheel was lowered" doesn't mean that it was deployed from it's flight position. It means exactly what Gary said. The two main gear touched, and as the speed decreased they dropped the nose of the AC to allow the nose gear to touch down.

[Ztex]

I guess my confusion comes from my Private training...the landing is over when you stop rolling...
I was told to "fly" the airplane all the way to the parking spot...never relax until the thing is tied down...

[Glyn]

I have a question about the tailgun position - from the drawings and now seeing the installation I'm confused on what happens to the gun when you close the doors? There was a mention of a latch of some sort - I just can't visualize how you position the gun to allow the doors to close.

[retroaviation]

I have a question about the tailgun position - from the drawings and now seeing the installation I'm confused on what happens to the gun when you close the doors? There was a mention of a latch of some sort - I just can't visualize how you position the gun to allow the doors to close.

That's okay Glyn. I'm confused about it too. The best I can tell, the gun barrel is lowered all the way and remains protruding through a notch in the bottom of the Plexiglas portion of the doors (which I haven't cut out yet). In the original photos, there are also two round holes in the center of the two Plexiglas pieces, which I'm told is for the twin gun arrangement that the British (and some American setups) had. I reckon the twin guns would rotate 90 degrees before stowing.

But our gun will use the first option I mentioned. I think it's the best and simplest route to take, particularly since lots of different volunteers will be stowing the gun while on tour.

Gary

[retroaviation]

Here's a couple of pictures of what little work got accomplished today...prop installation (only two of them)...........






I intend to give y'all a VERY detailed update tomorrow morning about how one goes about installing these propellers (about 70 pictures worth ), but not tonight. I'm feeling worse as the day goes by and am developing "rectal glaucoma" (can't see my butt staying at work ).

I'll holler at y'all in the morning.

Gary

[rwdfresno]

Wow, Gary she really is coming to life with those props hanging on there.

Ryan

[Alan Brooks]

Take a breather for the day Gary....... Ol' 297 is LOOKING GOOD!!!!!!!!!!!!
Sorry that Butch, Steph, and I had to leave early last week. Thanks for allowing us to help out, and thanks to Scott, Ellen, and Dave for their assistance. I just want to add a few pics to keep things rolling for everyone......
The rebuilt nose looks awesome, pics really don't do it justice..... plus the added Sperry S1 bomb site and newly fabricated bombardiers chair.....

The left side aileron installed, also showing the newly painted wing and handpainted "ARMY"

Another look at the finalized ventral gunners station......

Another shot of the rear gunners station (before the gun was mounted)

Last edited by Alan Brooks on Thu Apr 26, 2007 6:04 pm, edited 1 time in total.

[Alan Brooks]

OK, the other day you a had picture of Butch with that, well........... sort of surprised look on his face with the ol' .50cal pointing his way...... so, I have a few pictures to show from that point...... Butch and I had laid out the circle (very lightly) with a small wax pencil, then had started laying out our five pointed star as per the diagram and mathematic calculations (potential issue on the rise?). The masking for the 49" diameter circle had been cutout by Butch and Paul earlier in the day. However, our points on the star were not matching.... so after much head scratching..... etc.... the 12 hour day for us came to an end (Butch did not spend 12 hours on this project, though it did make his head hurt just a bit!)........ Well, when I arrived the next morning, Gary had already mounted and taped the masking for the circle.....

I rechecked the calculations from the previous day, we were using the wrong length by 1/8th of an inch...... so with new information......yeah!

The circle is masked off and so is the star, now waiting for Gary to do his thing!

This was the first circle and star that Butch or myself have ever laid out and masked off for paint on an airplane..... God was gracious and Gary's painting was great! Once again, come out and help! I joined the B-24/B-29 Squadron and will plan for ground school next year for some touring! Guys (AND GIRLS!), it takes everyone, come and volunteer, help out! Alan

[Quest Master]

Gary,
I know you are busy - but I have a couple of quick questions. Did the early B-24A's have oxygen systems? If so, do you have and are you going to mount the G-1 oxygen bottles in the top of the tail above the command deck area? What about A-4 oxygen walk around bottles....did she have them? I just trying to come up with ideas I can work on toward this winter (I really want to come down there again - I wish I had known this winter). If so, I could copy the G-1 and A-4 mounts from my project for you, plus I have a few early complete early walk around bottles I could permanently lend to you guys.

[Sabremech]

Gary,
Just wanted to say it again, no matter how many times it's been said before. Great work!! The work being accomplished is incredible. Not only do you make the time to keep us updated, but you make time to visit other threads and comment on our little projects.
I hope our paths cross someday and I get to shake your hand saying "well done". Truly an ambassador to the Warbird community.
David

"Same goes to all of you that have volunteered your time on Ol 927"

[T33driver]

Gary,

The airplane looks sensational! You've truly work magic with these old machines!

[snjfxr]

WoW, the props look great back on again. The nose section, Sensational Do you have anyone there helping you right now?
Dave

[Second Air Force]

Dave,

I got your second PM, somehow I missed the first one. Thanks for the reply, and 927 really is looking like a warplane again isn't it!

Scott