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The CAF B-24/B-29 Squadron has announced on its Facebook page that its B-24 “Diamond Lil” returned to the air on October 22 for the first time in over two years. During this time, the bomber’s interior was restored and three of the engines were overhauled. Diamond Lil is one of only two airworthy B-24 Liberators in the world.

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B-24 Liberator "Diamond Lil" (Photo D. Miller (CC BY 2.0))

The Consolidated B-24 Liberator “Diamond Lil” was slightly damaged in an incident at Charlotte Douglas Airport in North Carolina last Saturday. The aircraft, which is operated by the Commemorative Air Force, was being used for tours and was carrying 16 people.

At the end of one of the tours, the crew decided to abort the landing when they realized the landing gear was not deploying properly. After an extra hour of flying, the gear was manually deployed, and the bomber went in for an emergency landing. During the landing run, the nose wheel collapsed and the aircraft ended its run on its nose.

Nobody was hurt in the event and the aircraft appears to have suffered minimal damage only. “Diamond Lil” is a particularly important aircraft: not only is it one of the very few airworthy Liberator today, it is also one of the very first B-24 to be produced.

Sources:

• NewsObserver.com
• WBTV.com