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Commemorative Air Force B-24-The 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 debut in 1967, "Old 927" has performed majestically before crowds of thousands of people. In 1971, she was put in the paint scheme and markings of the 98th Bomb Group of the 9th Air Force.

Pat's Note: The following pictures were taken by Pat & Cherie Ranfranz on July 29, 2005 at the Oshkosh Air Adventure show in Oshkosh, Wisconsin.

Click on the thumbnail images below to view the full-sized image.

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