B 24 presentation

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If These Planes Could Talk - 4:07

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Meet Allen Benzing and Konley KelleyMeet Allen Benzing and Konley Kelley

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AgendaAgenda

• B-24 Design

• Production • B-24 at War

• Men & Missions• B-24 Legacy

• Diamond Lil• Our Squadron

• Q&A

• B-24 Design

• Production • B-24 at War

• Men & Missions• B-24 Legacy

• Diamond Lil• Our Squadron

• Q&A

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Heavy Bombers of WWIIHeavy Bombers of WWII

Avro Lancaster (British)

B-17 Flying Fortress (U.S.)

B-29 Superfortress (U.S.)

B-24 Liberator (U.S.)

B-24 Heavy BomberB-24 Heavy Bomber

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• In 1935, US Army Air Corps called for a new Heavy Bomber design

• Further, faster, and higher than the Boeing B-17 Flying Fortress

• December 29,1939 , the 1st B-24 flew - out of 19,000 built by 1945

• Two still fly with approximately twenty still in existence

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Design of the B -24Design of the B -24

Requirements•Tricycle Landing Gear•Greater Range & Speed•Heavier Bomb Load

Davis Wing•Long, Narrow, Efficient•High Speed

Requirements•Tricycle Landing Gear•Greater Range & Speed•Heavier Bomb Load

Davis Wing•Long, Narrow, Efficient•High Speed

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Early ModelsEarly Models

B-24A/LB-30

XB-24

First Flight - 1:58

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ProductionProduction

B-24’s built in 5 plantsB-24’s built in 5 plants

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1) San Diego CO - Consolidated (B -24D+)

2) Fort Worth CF - Consolidated-Vultee(B-24's and C -87’s)

3) Dallas NT - North American (B -24G)

4) Tulsa DT - Douglas Aircraft (B -24E-DT)

5) Willow Run FO - Ford (B -24E J L)

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Models by PlantModels by Plant

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Willow RunWillow Run

Rosie the Riveter

HUGE Ford Willow Run PlantHUGE Ford Willow Run Plant

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1st B-24 built at Willow Run1st B-24 built at Willow Run

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B-24 Assembly LineB-24 Assembly Line

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16Click here to play Video - 7:03

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Willow Run (video)Willow Run (video)

Click here to play - 7:03

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Last B -24 built at Willow RunLast B -24 built at Willow Run

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Nose JobsNose Jobs

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B-24 VariantsB-24 Variants

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B-24 Modification Centers

B-24 Modification Centers

Training - A High Risk EndeavorTraining - A High Risk Endeavor

13,621 total training fatalities 1941-194513,621 total training fatalities 1941-1945

47,462 Aircraft Accidents in USA47,462 Aircraft Accidents in USA

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B-24 Flight CrewB-24 Flight Crew

Crew Positions on the B -24ACrew Positions on the B -24A

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Crew Positions on the B -24JCrew Positions on the B -24J

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Pilot and Co -PilotPilot and Co -Pilot

Nose Gunner - B-24A to B -24DNose Gunner - B-24A to B -24D

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Nose Gunner - B-24J -B-24MNose Gunner - B-24J -B-24M

Bombardier – B-24A -B-24DBombardier – B-24A -B-24D

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Bombardier – B-24J – B-24MBombardier – B-24J – B-24M

Navigator table - Nose CompartmentNavigator table - Nose Compartment

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Navigator at workNavigator at work

Radio Operator - B-24ARadio Operator - B-24A

Radio Operator - B-24JRadio Operator - B-24J

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Top Turret Gunner / Flight EngineerTop Turret Gunner / Flight Engineer

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Waist GunnersWaist Gunners

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Waist GunnersWaist Gunners

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Belly Gunner on B -24A - B-24D Belly Gunner on B -24A - B-24D

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Belly Turret Gunner Belly Turret Gunner

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Tail GunnerTail Gunner

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Theaters of OperationTheaters of Operation

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Lend -Lease ActLend -Lease Act

President Roosevelt signs the Lend-Lease bill to give aid to Britain and China (1941)

Prime Minister Winston Churchill aboard his personal B-24 “Commando”

An American-built B-24 Liberator bomber en route to the United Kingdom as part of the Lend-Lease program.November 18, 1940

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B-24 at WarB-24 at War

Artist, Roy Grinnell

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Pearl HarborPearl HarborDecember 7, 1941

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RAF Coastal CommandRAF Coastal Command

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Sub HunterSub Hunter

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S/Sgt. Homer Barnes, Radar OperatorS/Sgt. Homer Barnes, Radar OperatorUSAAF Crew Engages a German Submarine in the Caribb ean (July, 1943)

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B-24s around the worldB-24s around the world

21st BG Aleutian Islands 307 th BG Dutch East Indies 30th BG Solomon Islands

376th BG North Africa 461st BG Italy 392nd BG England

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Operation Tidal WaveAugust 1, 1943Operation Tidal WaveAugust 1, 1943

Ploesti RaidPloesti Raid

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Mission PlanningMission Planning

• Strategy- Single blow to

German oil refining- Size of attacking force- B-24 extended range- Surprise- Low altitude attack

• Strategy- Single blow to

German oil refining- Size of attacking force- B-24 extended range- Surprise- Low altitude attack

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Black SundayBlack Sunday"We knew it was a disaster and knew that in the flames shooting up from those refineries we might be burned to death. But we went right in."Lt. Norman Whalen

Artwork by Iain Wylie

Artwork by Anthony Saunders

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Target Ploesti (video)Target Ploesti (video)


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Medal of HonorMedal of HonorCol. John “Killer” Kane and Col. Leon JohnsonCol. John “Killer” Kane and Col. Leon Johnson

Artwork by Don GreerModel by Konley Kelley

Col. John Kane

Col. Leon Johnson

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Medal of HonorMedal of HonorLt. Col. Addison Baker and Maj. John JerstadLt. Col. Addison Baker and Maj. John Jerstad

Lt. Col. Addison Baker

Maj. John Jerstad

Artwork by Roy Grinnell

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2nd. Lt. Lloyd “Pete ” Herbert Hughes2nd. Lt. Lloyd “Pete ” Herbert Hughes

2nd. Lt. Hughes and the crew of“Ole Kickapoo”

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Snow White and The WitchSnow White and The Witch

Artwork by Konley Kelley

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Ploesti Raid - AftermathPloesti Raid - Aftermath

Artwork by Gil Cohen

• 177 Liberators on the mission• 55 B-24’s were lost• 34 landed at emergency fields• 88 returned to Libya - 55 of these had damage

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Ploesti MissionsPloesti Missions

S/Sgt. Robert Phillipsflew final Ploesti mission.

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S/Sgt. Robert PhillipsS/Sgt. Robert Phillips98th Bomb Group98th Bomb Group

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Robert’s storyRobert’s story

Robert Phillips

Veterans of the 98 th BG

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Little FriendsLittle Friends

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Allied FightersAllied Fighters

P-51 Mustang

P-38 Lightning

P-47 Thunderbolt

Supermarine Spitfire

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332nd Fighter Group “Red Tails ”332nd Fighter Group “Red Tails ”

Artwork by Matt Hall

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Axis Fighters - GermanyAxis Fighters - Germany

FW-190

ME-110

ME-109

ME-262

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Captain Herb TaylorCaptain Herb Taylor

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Captain Herb TaylorCaptain Herb Taylor

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Col. Jimmy Stewart, B -24 PilotCol. Jimmy Stewart, B -24 Pilot

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CREW 713CREW 713

Documentary FilmmakerAlex Mena

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CREW 713 TrailerCREW 713 Trailer


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UNBROKEN BookUNBROKEN Book

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UNBROKEN Film (Christmas Day, 2014)UNBROKEN Film (Christmas Day, 2014)

Angelina Jolie and Louis Zamperini

Click for UNBROKEN Video - 3:00

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Axis Fighters - JapanAxis Fighters - Japan

Mitshubishi J2M “Jack”

Ki-84 Hayate “Frank”

Mitsubishi A6M Zero “Zeke”

Ki-43 Hayabusa “Oscar”

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T/Sgt. Arthur Benko and The GoonT/Sgt. Arthur Benko and The Goon

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Arthur Benko and William NovakArthur Benko and William Novak

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Nose artNose art

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The Dragon and His TailThe Dragon and His Tail

Artwork by Roy Grinnell

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B-24 Legacy in WW IIB-24 Legacy in WW II

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Post War B -24 Post War B -24

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ScrappedScrappedAircraft Graveyard, Kingman, AZ

Kingman - Aircraft Graveyard - 2:05

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B-24s static displaysB-24s static displays

B-24M “ Dugan” Imperial War Museum, Duxford, EnglandB-24D “ Grumpy” (nose only) Virginia Air and

Space Center, Hampton, VA

B-24J “ Joe” Fantasy of Flight Museum, Polk City, FL

B-24D “Strawberry Bitch” National Museum of the United States Air Force, Wright-Patterson AFB, Dayton, OH

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B-24J “Witchcraft” Collings FoundationB-24J “Witchcraft” Collings Foundation

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Her Story Begins

AM927 B-24A delivered in May 1941 AM927 B-24A delivered in May 1941

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• Contracted to be built for France in 1940

• Redirected to Great Britain as AM927

• The 25th (Serial #18) built out of 18,482 B-24s

• Accepted by the British in May 1941

• TWA to train RAF pilots out of Albuquerque, NM

• Contracted to be built for France in 1940

• Redirected to Great Britain as AM927

• The 25th (Serial #18) built out of 18,482 B-24s

• Accepted by the British in May 1941

• TWA to train RAF pilots out of Albuquerque, NM

AM927 Landing Accident - 1941AM927 Landing Accident - 1941

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• TWA instructor pilots, were practicing landings

• Right main brake locked up during landing

• Right gear collapsed, then Nose gear collapsed

• Damaged bomb bay

• Temporary Repairs

• Flown to San Diego

• TWA instructor pilots, were practicing landings

• Right main brake locked up during landing

• Right gear collapsed, then Nose gear collapsed

• Damaged bomb bay

• Temporary Repairs

• Flown to San Diego

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AM927 Repair in San DiegoAM927 Repair in San Diego

AM927 Configuration - 1942AM927 Configuration - 1942

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• Flown back to San Diego in December 1941

• C-87 Liberator Express prototype in 1942

• Hauled personnel and equipment

• Served five B-24 production plants and vendors

• Flown back to San Diego in December 1941

• C-87 Liberator Express prototype in 1942

• Hauled personnel and equipment

• Served five B-24 production plants and vendors

AM927 during WWIIAM927 during WWII

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Continental Can Company Corporate Aircraft 1948 -1958Continental Can Company Corporate Aircraft 1948 -1958

AM927 Corporate InteriorAM927 Corporate Interior

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Pemex - Mexico and South America 1958 -1968Pemex - Mexico and South America 1958 -1968

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Confederate Air Force - 1968Confederate Air Force - 1968

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The nose art of Diamond LilThe nose art of Diamond Lil

Diamond Lil to UK - 1992Diamond Lil to UK - 1992

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OL’ 927 from 2007 - 2011OL’ 927 from 2007 - 2011

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Close of Ol’ 927 Nose ArtClose of Ol’ 927 Nose Art

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Enter artist Gary VelascoEnter artist Gary Velasco

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Diamond Lil is back!Diamond Lil is back!

Diamond Lil unveilingApril 21, 2012

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Neutrality flagNeutrality flag

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The Air Trainsport CommandThe Air Trainsport Command

WASP Nancy Harkness Love

“Lilly ”“Lilly ”

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EnginesEngines• Pratt & Whitney 1830• Twin Row 14 Cylinders • 1200 HP @ 2700 RPM

• Designed in early 1930’s

• Pratt & Whitney 1830• Twin Row 14 Cylinders • 1200 HP @ 2700 RPM

• Designed in early 1930’s

Specifications - B-24A Liberator N24927Specifications - B-24A Liberator N24927

• Wingspan 110’• Length 66’ 4”• Height 17' 11“

• Max Weight 56,000 lbs• Empty Weight 29,282 lbs• Design Bomb Load 8,000 lbs

• Max Speed 275 mph• Max Altitude 28,000 feet

• Wingspan 110’• Length 66’ 4”• Height 17' 11“

• Max Weight 56,000 lbs• Empty Weight 29,282 lbs• Design Bomb Load 8,000 lbs

• Max Speed 275 mph• Max Altitude 28,000 feet

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Performance - B-24A Liberator N24927Performance - B-24A Liberator N24927

• Endurance 15 Hours

• Fuel Burn 200 Gph

• Range 2,500 Miles

• Fuel Capacity 3000 Gals

• M2 Browning 50 Caliber 6 Guns

• 400 mile missions Bomb load 8,000 lbs


• 1,200 mile missions Bomb load 1,200 lbs

• Endurance 15 Hours

• Fuel Burn 200 Gph

• Range 2,500 Miles

• Fuel Capacity 3000 Gals

• M2 Browning 50 Caliber 6 Guns



• 1,200 mile missions Bomb load 1,200 lbs 104

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MaintenanceMaintenance

Checking the Oil

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Our SquadronOur Squadron

B-24 Ground School 2013

Crew member shotsCrew member shots

B-24 Ground School and TrainingB-24 Ground School and Training

Touring with Diamond LilTouring with Diamond Lil

Diamond Lil meets the crowdsDiamond Lil meets the crowds

Ride flightsRide flights

Veterans Flight – McKinney, TX Oct 2013Veterans Flight – McKinney, TX Oct 2013

Diamond Lil and FIFIDiamond Lil and FIFI

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Diamond Lil and her FutureDiamond Lil and her Future

• Fly

• Tour

• Inspire

• Educate

• Connect

• Remember

Book a Flight on Diamond LilBook a Flight on Diamond Lil- 12 seats are available- Flight time 30 minuteswww.AirPowerTour.org

AirPower History TourAirPower History TourSummary of B-24 events:

KRDG - Reading, PA June 6 - 8

KBUF - Buffalo, NY June 10 - 12

CYHM - Hamilton, ON June 12 - 15

KAKR - Akron, OH June 17 - 22

KDAY - Dayton, OH June 26 - 28

KOSH - Oshkosh, WI July 28 - Aug 3

KYIP - Willow Run, MI Aug 8 - Aug

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Fall Tour Sep 13-Oct 1AirPower EXPO Oct 3-5CAF AirSho Oct 10-12

How you can support our Squadron and MissionHow you can support our Squadron and Mission• Financial

• Volunteerism

• Become a member

• Visit our websites

• Follow on Facebook

www.cafb29b24.org is our Squadron website

Diamond Lil todayDiamond Lil today

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Ready to Fly with me on Diamond Lil?Ready to Fly with me on Diamond Lil?


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Thank you Mitzi Werther and the Richland College Emeritus Program.

Q&A?Let’s go fly!

Thank you Mitzi Werther and the Richland College Emeritus Program.

Q&A?Let’s go fly!

www.cafb29b24.org

B 24 presentation

Education

Transcript of B 24 presentation