B-24 Liberator Project In Australia – News

https://www.warhistoryonline.com/military-vehicle-news/restoring-the-last-surviving-raaf-consolidated-b-24-liberator.html?src=fba&type=int&page=who

The latest B-24 WW2 information display in the hangar focusing on B-24 use in POW operations.. https://www.facebook.com/B24Werribee/posts/1579898572275318

Annually the B-24 group holds a reunion for all those who served with Australian Liberator Squadrons in the Pacific during WW2.
26th April 2015 was the date for this year’s event.
https://www.facebook.com/B24Werribee/posts/1572951379636704

The past weekend saw the Australian B-24 project have its cockpit on display at the Avalon Airshow. Also the visiting HARS museum team at the airshow came to the hanagar for a BBQ.
https://www.facebook.com/B24Werribee/posts/1548458288752680

The Australian B-24 Liberator project at Werribee has an interesting announcement today to share…. https://www.facebook.com/B24Werribee/posts/1546163218982187

Project updates and news from Werribee.

https://www.facebook.com/B24Werribee/posts/1540025189595990

Update on 4 upcoming displays helping to educate people about the Australian B-24 project.

1) Public display of B-24 engine

WHEN – On 10th & 11th January 2015

WHERE – Geelong Steam & Traction Show, at the Geelong Show Ground.

WHAT – Our community display will be running the P&W R-1830 engine on both days.

2) We won’t have a display at the Avalon Airshow 2015 but….

WHEN – 27th, 28th Feb, 1st March 2015

WHERE – Avalon Airshow, Avalon, Victoria.

WHAT – Some of our artifacts will be used by the Commemorative History Society, Victoria in their display. That will be an interesting place to visit if you’re at Avalon.

**** Please take note our hangar and the B-24 Liberator at Werribee, Victoria will be open every day of Avalon Airshow 2015 Week. Days are Tues 24th Feb to Sunday 1st March 2015 from 9.30am to 5.30pm.

Our hangar is very close, only 20 mins / 23km drive from the airshow area, so please consider come visit us if your coming to Victoria for the airshow.

3) Public display of B-24 items

WHEN – 7th, 8th and 9th March 2015.

WHERE – Melbourne Steam Traction Engine Show, 1200 Ferntree Gully Rd, Scoresby, Victoria.

WHAT – We will have a small heritage display of our project for the public to view.

4) Public display of B-24 items

WHEN – May 2015

WHERE – Gisborne, Victoria

WHAT – Heritage display with B-24 items for public viewing

A small update with some progress….we now have a new name.

It better reflects where we are in the process of restoring A72-176.
We are now known as:

B-24 Liberator Memorial Australia.

The Department of Justice have accepted this as well as the Constitution which we have written in line with their Model Rules.

Only just cottoned on to this thread and this project. The beast is looking good. Terrific project – well done to the team!;)

We would like to let everyone know that we are seeking help – money donations to assist with our current campaign to raise funds for the construction of a memorial wall.

This wall is to be built adjacent to the hangar where the restored B-24 Liberator is housed. The wall will be a memorial to those who served with Liberators during World War II.

Money raised through the Facebook appeal would be used toward purchasing construction materials.

If interested in assisting us, please use the link below to go to our paypal page. We welcome any funding to help preserve the RAAF WW2 B-24 legacy.

https://www.paypal.com/au/cgi-bin/webscr?cmd=_flow&SESSION=Faw81I-4gyOey3l3BMNgUh-u2DHzHcNXcBxsImMiWFIOMaMABMjIHLoXi7y&dispatch=50a222a57771920b6a3d7b606239e4d529b525e0b7e69bf0224adecfb0124e9b61f737ba21b08198d8562aa8a3da7ac30bbfba73b3e80dcc

We have some more photos / updates on the static / ground running project restoration on the sole remaining Australian example of a WW2 era former RAAF B-24 Liberator bomber.

B-24 cockpit and waist gunner section
https://www.facebook.com/B24Werribee/posts/1504665933131916

Oxford propeller
https://www.facebook.com/B24Werribee/posts/1504663186465524

Next year, in May 2015, we are taking part in the National Trust Heritage Trail.

We want to put on a display relating to the role Liberators played in bringing POWs / Prisoners of War back from places in Asia like the Phillipines, Changi, Japan after the end of WW2.

If anyone has information, pictures or names of people we can contact to get information would you please contact the Secretary on [email]judithone@optusnet.com.au[/email]

Would appreciate all the help we can get as this is a little known story of the role Libs played after the war and it deserves better recognition amongst the general public.

B-24 progress down under https://www.facebook.com/B24Werribee/posts/1497163197215523

The sole Aussie B-24 Liberator project gained another positive move towards total security of the site for the B-24 and other aircraft. … with hand over of land to the museum. http://www.heraldsun.com.au/leader/west/state-government-secures-the-future-of-b24-liberator-memorial-restoration-funds-hangar-in-werribee/story-fngnvmj7-1227097357765

The B-24 restoration hangar is situated in the city of Wyndham. Tomorrow Wyndham celebrates it’s 150th birthday.

Council has generously given the Liberator Restoration the entry foyer of the Council Chambers where we have put on a display as well as displays in 2 other area of the time line they have built as part of the celebration.

Come visit us there, Wyndham Council Chambers, Princes Highway Werribee 10 am to 3 pm.

Pic 1: The foyer area holding our large display https://www.facebook.com/B24Werribee/photos/pcb.1487162804882229/1487161874882322/?type=1
Pic 2: A display cabinet with B-24 items and WW2 pilot gear https://www.facebook.com/B24Werribee/photos/pcb.1487162804882229/1487161894882320/?type=1
Pic 3: B-24 in the time line https://www.facebook.com/B24Werribee/photos/pcb.1487162804882229/1487161858215657/?type=1

Last weekend the sole remaining Australian B-24R Liberator celebrated her 70th birthday with nearly 500 people… see more at https://www.facebook.com/B24Werribee/posts/1481052525493257

A few updates for today –

* Just in case you may have not seen all our news, on our website we have our newsletters which in some cases have some quite information –

April 2014 – http://b24australia.org.au/activities/newsletters/april-2014.html

June 2014 – http://b24australia.org.au/activities/newsletters/june-2014.html

August 2014 – http://b24australia.org.au/activities/newsletters/august-2014.html

In reading the newsletters, you may find a surprise or 2 about the B-24 Liberator in WW2…. Youll have to read to find out.. as it is rather interesting….

* A reminder that the birthday for the Memorial’s B-24 Liberator bomber is on in 2 weeks time. Please share around our notice.

We would love to see as many people as possible attend to celebrate the special occasion.

ATTENTION – THE B24 LIBERATOR IS TURNING 70 AND WE ARE GIVING A72-176 A PARTY!

AND YOU ARE WELCOME!

There will be 1200hp engine runs 10-30 am and 1-30 pm; gun turrets operating; sausage sizzle from 11am; helicopter joy flights from 10am until 4pm [weather permitting]; Werribee Concert Band 2pm to3pm; military vehicle display; display of WW1 & WW2 Uniforms; Norden Bomb Sight demonstration; see the radar unit working; see a blind flying training simulator operation; step into the fuselage and be amazed.

Sunday 28th September. 9-30am to 3-30pm. Admission $5 Children under 15 free.

Cnr Farm Rd & Geelong Rd. W’bee.
Mel.Ref.205 F10

Visit our webpage B24 Werribee for more information http://b24australia.org.au/ or ring 03 9741 4635

Latest restoration work being undertaken in Australia on the static B-24 Liberator bomber – https://www.facebook.com/B24Werribee/posts/1453831658215344

On 28th September our “girl” A72-176, turns 70 so we’re having a birthday party, at the restoration hangar corner Farm Rd & Princes Highway Werribee from 9.30 to about 4.30.
There will be engine runs, some of the turrets will be operating….not on the plane but as floor exhibits; the Norden bombsight will operate and , if we get that far, the radar will also operate.
As well there will be a jumping castle, a military re-enactment group, sausage sizzle, morning/afternoon teas, guided tours. We’ll be asking $5 donation on entry.
Melways map reference is 205 F10. GPS devices don’t recognise the hangar as it doesn’t have a street address but if you enter Farm Rd on the device that will get you close by. We’re hoping to see lots of fans on the day.

This past weekend was quite busy which saw a visit from an aviation club in the morning and a Heritage Engineers Ceremony in the afternoon.
The engineers presented us with two awards for the work and recognition – one for the Werribee hangar and one for the B-24 Liberator aircraft. The hangar was given national recognition.
Over 100 people attended. Photos include –

Owen Peake Heritage Engineers emceeing the function https://fbcdn-sphotos-g-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-xaf1/t31.0-8/10380446_1442977305967446_10097842702064489_o.jpg

Alex Baitch National President Heritage Engineers https://fbcdn-sphotos-a-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-xaf1/t31.0-8/s960x960/10557680_1442977302634113_6793528915175279604_o.jpg
Also Alex Baitch https://fbcdn-sphotos-e-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-xpa1/t31.0-8/10507024_1442977315967445_9206923755504934653_o.jpg

Overview of hangar Andrew Elsbury MLC for Western Metropolitan addressing the gathering. https://fbcdn-sphotos-c-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-xfa1/t31.0-8/10547877_1442977335967443_4095912973850135994_o.jpg

4 Liberator workers Vern, Phil, Ian & Dan discussing the day.https://scontent-b-sea.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xpa1/t31.0-8/10497500_1442977262634117_403926408095160286_o.jpg

This is the story board & plaque for the hangar which was given international recognition. https://fbcdn-sphotos-d-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-xap1/t31.0-8/10492969_1442977442634099_4923951693183800899_o.jpg