Where to See a B-24 Airplane
No matter how much research you do on the airplanes and crews of WWII, there is still nothing quite like seeing a B-24 in person. Over the last 9 years, my parents, Dale and myself have made purposeful trips to see planes we knew of and other times come across pieces of them in unexpected places. I thought it would be a nice resource to start making a list and gallery of the B-24s you can see in person that we know of and/or have seen ourselves.
Collings Foundation
The Collings Foundation is dedicated to preserving and restoring aircraft that have been landmarks in aviation history. They own and operate one of the two remaining flying B-24 airplanes. The Collings Foundation is based in Stow, MA. Their airplanes can be seen on a traveling tour throughout the year. The B-24, B-17, and P-51 fly together and are known as the "Wings of Freedom" tour. Tours through the planes, as well as opportunities to see them in flight and take a ride are available at tour stops. Check their tour schedule HERE.
Their B24J is currently painted as “Witchcraft” to honor the men of the 8th AF (since December 2004). Witchcraft was a plane from the 467BG, 790BS that completed 130 combat missions. The Collings Foundation plane has been known as “All American” from the 15th AF and “Dragon and His Tail” to honor Pacific theater veterans previously. The history of the plane can be read here.
Their B24J is currently painted as “Witchcraft” to honor the men of the 8th AF (since December 2004). Witchcraft was a plane from the 467BG, 790BS that completed 130 combat missions. The Collings Foundation plane has been known as “All American” from the 15th AF and “Dragon and His Tail” to honor Pacific theater veterans previously. The history of the plane can be read here.
The following pictures of the Collings Foundation B-24, "Dragon and His Tail," and B-17, "Nine-O-Nine", aircraft were taken July 10, 2000 in Spokane, WA by my father, Richard Massey.
Commemorative Air Force
The Commemorative Air Force (CAF) was formerly known as the Confederate Air Force. It is a non-profit organization dedicated to preserving and showing historical aircraft at airshows throughout the US and Canada. They have a large static aircraft display at the American Airpower Heritage Museum at Midland International Airport in Midland, TX. The tour schedule for the CAF airplanes is found HERE.
The CAF B-24A is currently known as " ‘Ol 297." It was formerly configured as a B-24D and known as “Diamond 'Lil”. The history of the CAF B-24 can be read HERE. The photos of "Diamond 'Lil" were taken at an airport near Alton, IL during the fall of 2000. Dale is pictured with the airplane.
The CAF B-24A is currently known as " ‘Ol 297." It was formerly configured as a B-24D and known as “Diamond 'Lil”. The history of the CAF B-24 can be read HERE. The photos of "Diamond 'Lil" were taken at an airport near Alton, IL during the fall of 2000. Dale is pictured with the airplane.
National Museum of the U.S. Air Force
The National Museum of the U.S. Air Force is located on Wright-Patterson AFB, Ohio.
Their B-24D, “Strawberry Bitch” from the 512th BS is located in the Air Power Gallery of the museum.
Their B-24D, “Strawberry Bitch” from the 512th BS is located in the Air Power Gallery of the museum.
Mighty 8th Air Force Museum
The Mighty Eigth Air Force Museum is located in Savannah, Georgia. The museum is a wonderful display of WWII history as well as documenting all aspects of the operation of the 8th Air Force. While the museum does not have a full B-24 plane, it does have a partial static display- the nose of a B-24 which is painted as "Fightin' Sam." Other authentic airplanes and scale models decorate the Combat Gallery and the museum grounds. In January 2009, the museum celebrated the arrival of a B-17 they are currently restoring. You can also try your hand as the waist gunner of a B-17 in their simulation display.
My husband and I visited the museum in September 2008.
My husband and I visited the museum in September 2008.
Pima Air Museum
The Pima Air Museum in located in Tuscon, AZ. They have a B-24J on static display in Hangar 3, which is dedicated to WWII aircraft. Exhibits in Hangar 3 are dedicated to the 20th Air Force, the 446th. Bombardment Group (Heavy), the 376th. Bomb Group, 406th Fighter Group, and aircraft nose art and markings.
Their plane displays markings for two different groups: Right side: Indian Air Force, Number 6 Squadron, 1968. Left side: 446th Bomb Group, Bungay, England, 1944- named "Bungay Buckaroo."
Their plane displays markings for two different groups: Right side: Indian Air Force, Number 6 Squadron, 1968. Left side: 446th Bomb Group, Bungay, England, 1944- named "Bungay Buckaroo."
Virginia Air and Space Center
We stopped at the Virginia Air and Space Center in Hampton, VA in 2006 on vacation. I turned the corner near a small children's exhibit on the main floor and was surprised to find the nose and tail sections of a B-24 right in front of me. The plane is painted as "Grumpy." There is a take off and bomb run simulation in the tail section of the plane with audio and movement, which if I remember correctly runs about 8 minutes long. You sit in the tail section of the plane and hear the crew members run through the pre-takeoff checklist, hear and feel the plane rumble down the runway for takeoff, then experience flak exploding around you as the plane heads towards it's bomb run.
Castle Air Museum
The Castle Air Museum is located in Atwater, CA. They own a B-24M, which is on static display.
American Air Museum
The American Air Museum in Duxford, England is dedicated to the memory of all of the 8th AF men who served in England in WWII. This museum has the largest collection of American war planes outside of the US and includes authentic B-17 Flying Fortress, B-24 Liberator, B-25 Mitchell, P-47 Thunderbolt as well as aircraft from the Cold War era.
The Duxford B-24 is a natural metal finish (NMF) and is painted to represent Dugan, a Lib that was based at Wendling, Norfolk with the 392nd BG.
The Duxford B-24 is a natural metal finish (NMF) and is painted to represent Dugan, a Lib that was based at Wendling, Norfolk with the 392nd BG.
Indian Air Force Museum
The Indian Air Force Museum is located at the Palam Air Force Station, New Delhi, India. They have a Consolidated B-24J Liberator - HE 924 on static display. The story of the Indian B-24s can be read HERE. I was intrigued to learn when reading through the history of these airplanes in India that it was through their salvage efforts so many years ago that the remaining two flying B-24s were created.
