Warbird Information Exchange

Greetings
I was wondering just how many B-24's are either being restored to Fly or could fly ? PB-24 's included Lone Star Flight Museum is well on it's way I know that the CAF's is one and the Collins B-24. Can Weeks B24 still Fly ? I had heard that that their might be one up north in Maple Leaf Country that is a possiable for Restoration, is this true or just a Wishful Rumor ? and one down under is it to fly some day too ?

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Always Keep Em Flying !

Glen

Lookie Capt Jim! Wham! Wham! ...............................Termights

Not counting the 3-4 PB4Y's that might enentually be flyable, I don't think we'll ever see more than three B-24's flying at one time. Perhaps 4 if the Canadian one actually happens and is restored as a flyer, but that might be a long shot!.
jerry

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"Always remember that, when you enter the ocean or the forest, you are no longer at the top of the food chain."

No. The magnificent voluntary work being done by the B-24 team at Wirrbee is great, but it's just a reach too far to go through the paperwork, cost and un-airworthy part replacement. (In Australia, under CASA rules the difference between a static rebuild (none of their business) and an airworthy one is huge, it's not 'a little bit more tricky' it's a factor of 100 times more paper cash and new parts required.) It's challenging enough just to restore it to it's complete condition. I'm not sure of the current plans, but they had hopes of ground running.

Cheers

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James K

"Switch on the underwater landing lights"
Emilio Largo, Thunderball.

www.VintageAeroWriter.com

The only B-24 I know of in Canada that could be restorable to fly is at the National Aviation Museum in Ottawa. From what I recall it came from somewhere in the desert, was flown into Ottawa, put in the museum and on display ever since. I'm sure someone here has more accurate/more detailed info. Unfortunately because it belongs to the National collection, it won't fly, at least unless they change their policy. I really wish they would, there are some great potential restoration projects around, and an airworthy warbird tends to get a lot more public attention than one in a museum.

Current Warbird Digest Issue 15 has a reasonably complete B24 survivors (PB4Y's not included) listing starting on page 35. Includes information on the Canadian Museum B24 (from India).

As far as I know, other than three PB4Y's (Lone Star, Yanks & a private owner), only two B24's are likely to continue flying: CAF ol '927 & Collings Witchcraft.

Mr. Weeks' B24 needs work to fly, but IIRC, is not at the top of his list to return to flight anytime soon.

There is another B-24 in Canada. It is a recovered wreck which was impounded prior to export to the USA (about 10 or 15 years ago IIRC).

With regards to other B-24's being restored to fly, well, there are half a dozen substantial wrecks out there, including one in storage in Colorado. It would take an enormous amount of effort, and even more cash to restore them though. It is unlikely that any more B-24's will be restored to fly given the tremendous resources required. Never say never though of course.

Cheers,
Richard

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Richard Mallory Allnutt - Photography - http://www.rmallnutt.com

Any updates about the 2 H & P's Privateers that were not sold?

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Ain't no sunshine when she's gone!

I doubt the Week's B-24 will ever do anything more than a quick trip around the pattern unless a large amount of $$$ and labor are invested.

I visited it a short time ago and was disappointed to see a huge amount of corrosion on the outside of the aircraft's wings. I can only imagine what the inside is like.

A number of the aircraft appeared to be in similar condition, and at least one (corsair) still had significant hurricane damage.

Sadd to hear such a Rare Bird to be in that condison too bad that the Wixers couldnt take it on

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Always Keep Em Flying !

Glen

Lookie Capt Jim! Wham! Wham! ...............................Termights

Does anyone know much about the B-24 in Canada that was impounded?

What kind of condition was/is it in and is it simply in perminent impound?

Are there any articles online regarding this "mess"?

If the plane is available I'd love to try and get it for my museum here in Langley, BC. The B-24 served on our coast at several Air Bases during WWII. It would an amazing addition. And if it's just impounded, I assume because someone was wanting to export it?

Any info would be much appreciated.

Cheers,

David

P.S. Anybody know much about this airplane? Is it recoverable?

http://www.nps.gov/history/nr/travel/aviation/atk.htm

I personally see Kermit dumping $$$$$$$ into a B-29 before the B-24. Maybe Paul Allen will hurry up and purchase his currently for sale B-29 project which will be enough seed money for the project to get him energized about dumping another 10 million into it. Then Aero Trader can restore both airframes which would help spread the development and tooling costs for new manufactured parts across the 2 restorations. I have a felling Kermit might be waiting out for something similar to that to help ease the huge costs involved in a restoration of that magnitude.

Yes, the Atka B-24D is recoverable, if you mean in the physical sense. However, it's on the national register of historic places, so the likelihood it will ever be moved is slim to none. Sad, isn't it?

I'm interested in knowing the serial number/type/etc of the B-24 in Canada. I'd also like to see pictures, if anyone's got one? A WIX search provides some information.

http://www.b24bestweb.com/queenofhearts-v4-2.htm

http://www.b24bestweb.com/queenofhearts-v4-1.htm

http://www.b24bestweb.com/queenofhearts-v4-3.htm

My Granddaddys bomber! Man what a dream would it be to see a B-24 painted in these colors.

I think it would be an effective airshow paint scheme, no? I mean shark mouths sell!

I think it would have been smart for the Collins Foundation to do a shark mouth scheme while the aircraft was still natural finish, and THEN later on go to OD. That will be alot of work to go back to natural finish someday.

No matter though, paint it pink, as long it contiues to FLY!

When the aircraft was "silver" it was painted anyhow I believe. I don't think it was ever natural metal. You are right about stripping an aircraft though it is a ton of work, especially one that size.