Diamond Lil flew into Norwich Airport a few years ago - and Dick and I went to see her..
We had to queue as lots of other people had the same idea.
We were given a tour inside and it was fascinating...How it ever got into the Air is beyond me, it is held together by thousands of rivets.
A history of Diamond Lil
The Commemorative Air Force owns and operates the oldest B-24 type aircraft in existence. It was the 25th of over 18,000 built.
Consolidated Aircraft Corporation, one of the companies merged over the years into what is now General Dynamics Corporation, produced the first B-24 Liberator bombers for the Royal Air Force of Great Britain. Early production models of the B-24 were delivered to the British with the first six off the line known as LB-30A's. This aircraft, the 18th LB-30 of an order of 20 for Great Britain, was involved in an accident on its delivery flight to Canada in 1941. Consolidated rebuilt it to a transport configuration and it was used as a company aircraft throughout World War II.
It flew on a scheduled basis between San Diego, Fort Worth and New York. From its Consolidated serial #AM-927, the plane became known along this route as "Old 927."
After the war, "Old 927" was sold to the Contintental Can Company, and flown as an executive transport for about 10 years. Then it was sold to Mexico's national oil company, Petroleos Mexicanos (PEMEX), and flown in Latin America until the CAF acquired it in 1967.
Since her Ghost Squadron
16 comments:
hehe Diamond Lil lol sounds like sumone you might find down ber street ;-) i guess you'll know what i mean !! Reminds me of my Debt collectin days in an around Ber Street an the Ber Street Gates ph ooooops sorry rambling again should really be savin this for my blog !! X spike X
What an interesting entry Ally ,as you say it doesnt look capable of flying ......Jan xx
Hi Ally, my uncle flew in one of those during the war, how's that for a coincidence. He was stationed at Lavenham: aerial photographer and air gunner for the 487th Bomber group. They were known as 'The gentlemen from Hell'.
B. x
Aww Ally that's great, I love the nostalgia of those aeroplanes...........can almost hear the old music that would have being playing around the time she was originally in flight. Rache xx
We have a small airport near our house where there are so many neat old planes. Wyatt always gets so exccited to see them in the air.
Kara :)
I remembered a plane called Diamond Lil .. the name really stayed in my mind all these years .... that is telling my age I think ... thanks for sharing the picture. Sandra
Very interesting Ally and great pictures. Love Joan.
Hi Ally, That was really interesting, I can`t imagine modern planes being called such wonderful names...Diamond Lil...fabulous! :o)
Sandra xxxxx
These old planes are lovely. I saw an old one called Calamity Jane at USS Alabama Memorial Park near Mobile, Alabama a few years back. I've got the photo somewhere!! Jeannette.
your pics were interesting....and I love your graphics....Hugs...Ora
Love the photo's of the old plane, Ally. Especially the flight formation, you took several years ago. I like seeing old planes, just never want to fly in them. lol. ~Deborah
Hey, Ally ... this brought back some wonderful memories. When I was a young girl, my father ( who was formerly a flight officer in the RAF ) used to take us to all the air shows in Southern California on a regular basis. Must be where I got my love of planes from. I had plans to be a flight attendant, but that is a long story for another day ! Anyway, thanks for the info about Diamond Lil. I enjoyed learning about it .... Tina
I love old aeroplanes!
Boys love the picture, son number 3 is very interested, he's fascinated with all things to do with the forces and history. Very educational, thanks, see you are listening to Bryn again! Hope you are not thinking what I think you are thinking!!!?? Behave.
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great pictures Ally!
elisa
Interesting
Terrie
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