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In the November issue we informed you that WRCS has made a donation
to the B-24 LIBERATOR MEMORIAL RESTORATION FUND to assist with the work
being done by the many volunteers.
In December 1989 the B-24 LIBERATOR MEMORIAL FUND INC. was formally
incorporated as a non-profit Association and in 1997, in recognition that
the aircraft restoration was in fact proceeding, the word "RESTORATION"
was added to more adequately describe the Fund's purpose. |
Some 90% of the airframe and 70% of its furniture and fittings from
many parts of the world and from generous benefactors have been obtained
to restore the only remaining Liberator in the southern hemisphere, and
one of only eight still existent in the world.
The restoration proceeded in one of the World War II hangars on the
old Werribee airfield just outside Melbourne, but has temporarily stalled
due to the collapse of one of the hangars and theft of parts by unknown
persons but it is the Fund's intention that the airframe will be completely
restored.
The donation was acknowledged by Colin Grey OAM, the Project Development
Manager who wrote:
"The ground up restoration of a four engine bomber is a huge task
that is seldom undertaken outside a large museum. That a group of volunteers
in Australia have virtually completed such a project is quite outstanding.
However it would have been impossible without the support of amny
organisations such as yourselves from Australia and around the world that
have donated money and materials to the project.
Your gift towards the completion of the program is gratefully received;
your support will ensure that our endeavours are successful and we will
fulfil our charter to "do all that is necessary to restore a B-24 as part
of Australia's National collection."
If you are interested in keeping up-to-date with the restoration project,
the internet address is:
http://www.b24australia.com
Elevator fitted and ready for the vertical tails |
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On arrival at Werribee, November 1995
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We were also sent a copy of the Newsletter which was sent on to Alan Place
who in his typical humour commented "I liked the tactful reference to failing
membership 'largely due to overtaking of ex-wartime RAAF members by old
father time'.
Apart from a little slowing up and some regular inspections to see
that my system is in working order, I feel OK"
That's great to hear Alan! You will recall the article in a previous
issue of the Mag when Alan told us that although he flew the Vultee Vengeance
dive bomber during WWII, he did have an eventful trip to pick up POW's
in a B-24 in 1945.
Alan does say that there were about 1500 Vengeances built in the US
of which the RAAF received 342. At the end of the war they were scrapped
- except for one. It had done very few flying hours and after being disposed
of by the RAAF it was used by Sydney Technical College for training aircraft
tradesmen. Rather than being a collection of spare parts it's still in
almost pristine condition and housed at the Camden Museum of Aviation at
11 Stewart Street, Narellan. |
Consolidated B-24 Liberator
Specifications
ENGINES: 4 P&W Twin Wasps 1200 HP each
WEIGHTS: 16 tons empty, 31 tons laden
WINGSPAN: 110 feet
HEIGHT: 18 feet
LENGTH: 68 feet
BOMBLOAD: 4 tons - various mixes
ARMAMENT: 10 browning -50 cal heavy MGs
SPEED: 290mph max, 215mph cruise
CEILING: 28,000 feet laden
RANGE: 2,100 miles, 3,000 miles aux tanks
CREW: 2 pilots, engineer, 2 nav-bomb, 2 radio, 4 turrent gunners
GENERAL INFORMATION:
FIRST FLIGHT:
29 December 1939
PRODUCTION:
over 18,000 |
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