GILLES AULIARD COLLECTION
No. 2079. Consolidated 32 LB-30 Liberator B.Mk.I (N24927 c/n 18) Commemorative Air Force "Diamond Lil"
Photographed by Gilles Auliard

Consolidated 32 LB-30 Liberator B.Mk.I

08/31/2007. Remarks by Johan Visschedijk: "Built as B-24A-CO Liberator, USAAC s/n 40-2366, this aircraft was diverted to the RAF as LB-30 Liberator B.Mk.I and accepted in San Diego, California, USA, in May 1941. On delivery to the RAF it was damaged while landing at Albuquerque, New Mexico, USA, on July 24, 1941. The aircraft was retained by Consolidated and converted to a freighter, serving throughout the war on charge of the USAAC/F, still carrying the RAF s/n AM927.

After the war it was used as an executive transport with Continental Can Company for about 10 years, registered as N1503. Thereafter it was registered in Mexico as XC-CAY, and was used by Petroleos Mexicanos (PEMEX) till 1967, when it was bought by the Confederate AF and restored to a bomber configuration and registered as N12905. In 1971 it was painted in the colors of the 98th Bomb Group of the 9th AF, reregistered N24927, and named Diamond Lil.

In May 2007 the aircraft was repainted in a USAAF B-24A colour scheme and renamed "Ol 927". N24927 is also registered to the Commemorative AF (CAF) American Airpower Heritage Museum in Midland, Texas, and is operated by the CAF."


Created January 15, 2002