|
 |
|
|
| Missing In Action (MIA) | Prisoners Of War (POW) | Unexploded Ordnance (UXO) |
| Chronology | Locations | Aircraft | Ships | Submit Info | How You Can Help | Donate |
|
|
Aircraft History Built by Consolidated Aircraft Corporation in San Diego under a French contract in 1940. Constructors Number 18. After the fall of France, diverted to the Royal Air Force (RAF) as Liberator I serial number AM927. At the factory painted with U.S. markings for the ferry flight with RAF serial number on the tail. This was the 25th Liberator built. Wartime History Completed in May 1941, this bomber was flown by an air crew from the company to Kansas City where the plane would be flown by a Trans World Airlines (TWA) to conduct RAF crew training in Albuquerque, New Mexico. During June 1941, piloted by TWA instructor pilots Frank Burcham and Ned MacKrille the right break locked while landing, causing the plane to run off run off the runway and the right gear leg collapsed damaging the bomb bay. Over the next months, the bomber was repaired to flying condition. In December 1941 flown back to Consolidated in San Diego but was deemed to be damaged enough that it would not serve as a combat aircraft. An agreement was reached by the British and Consolidated to keep this bomber for logistic support and further development of the Liberator. By July 1942, this bomber was flying again and became a prototype for the C-87 Liberator Express transport version. For the remainder of World War II, this plane was used as a transport for personnel and cargo between Consolidated factory locations and vendors in the United States. This bomber was also used for flight testing to improve the flight controls. Postwar During November 1945 ownership transfered to Consolidated Vultee and registered as NL24927. This plane had further modifications including an extended RY-3 nose and waist nacelles added from a PBY Catalina. On November 10, 1948 sold to Continental Can Company and registered as N1503. Repainted and a luxury interior. For over ten year, used as a corporate transport for executives flying cross country to the company's factories. On April 11, 1959 sold to Petróleos Mexicanos (Mexican Petroleum) and registered in Mexico as XC-CAY. Used to transport personnel and cargo in Mexico, Latin America and the United States until 1967 when they upgraded to a DC-6. During 1967 loaned to the Confederate Air Force (CAF) then acquired in May 1968 and registered in the United States as N12905. This plane was returned to a wartime configuration. In 1972, painted in the markings of B-24 "Diamond Lil" from 98th Bomb Group (98th BG) that operated in the Mediterranean Theater of Operations (MTO). In 1990, registered as N24927. On January 1, 2002 became the Commemorative Air Force (CAF). During 2006 until 2007 returned to the plane's original configuration as an LB-30 nicknamed "OL 927". During April 2012, repainted as "Diamond Lil" in honor of the original paint scheme. On May 26, 2012 during a flight, the plane suffered a hydraulic failure and while landing at at Charlotte-Douglas Airport suffered a nose gear collapse that caused damage. Afterwards, temporary repairs were made then flown to Addison, Texas for permanent repairs that were completed by July 2013. Since then, this LB-30 participates in the CAF Air Power History Tour flying at regional fly-ins and airshows and is open to the public for interior tours and rides. References Consolidated B-24A Liberator/LB-30B - AM927 "Liberator I AM927 was damaged in transit and was never delivered to the UK as were the other LB-30Bs. It was returned to Consolidated for repair. During rebuild, an extra four feet was added to the nose of the aircraft. It was then operated as a company plane. It was later used as a transport carrying USAAF insignia but still with its original RAF serial on the tail. For a while after the war, this plane was flown by the Continental Can Company under the civilian registry N1503, until it was acquired by the Confederate Air Force (now known as the Commemorative Air Force) to be operated as a flying museum. It now flies with the civilian registry of N12905, painted as a B-24D carrying the name Diamond Lil." Commemorative Air Force (CAF) - B-24 Diamond Lil - B-29/B-24 Squadron CAF Air Power History Tour - B-24 Liberator Diamond Lil Thanks to Robert Livingstone for additional information Contribute
Information Last Updated
|
 LB-30  Photo Archive |
| Discussion Forum | Daily Updates | Reviews | Museums | Interviews & Oral Histories |
|
