Point Cook visit B-24 Liberator Museum
“Wow, it’s awesome,” exclaimed 10-year-old cadet Thanvin, as the Pratt and Whitney Twin Wasp 1830 engine roared into life. Thanvin was among a group of 30 cadets from the Point Cook Squadron of the Australian Air League who recently visited the site of a B-24 Liberator under restoration in Werribee.
The cadet’s tour, which featured the routine testing of the engine, focused on the significant restoration project of this bomber, which played a critical role in the defence of Australia during the later stage of the Second World War. These aircraft were flown from RAAF bases including Tocumwal in NSW. They conducted long range strikes against Japanese military targets, including airbases, bridges, and military installations.
Today, dedicated volunteers, working in a WW2 hangar in Werribee, invite the public to observe their ambitious task of restoring B-24 Liberator (A72-176) – the only remaining aircraft of its type in the Southern Hemisphere and one of only eight airframes in the world.
“The idea began almost 40 years ago,” explains Graham Collis, Secretary of the B-24 Liberator Museum, “after a keen group of ex-RAAF personnel committed to the idea of “…acquiring and restoring a B-24…” in 1988. Following a protracted search to find a salvageable fuselage, work began on reclaiming the “living bomber” in 1989. Volunteers have continued the massive task and now, having acquired more than 90% of the airframe and 70% of its furniture and fittings, volunteers are working on an extensive fit out covering the nose, cockpit, bomber bay, waist gunners and tail sections.”
Second Officer Kerry Bell from Point Cook Squadron said the visit to see the work being done on the B-24 was an inspiring experience of the cadets. “They were able to view the engine running session and that was a definite highlight. But it was also fascinating for them to start to understand the complex mechanical and logistical challenges of restoring a historic aircraft of this scale and to learn a little of the vital role of the Liberator, connecting directly to RAAF historical studies.”
“The cadets are really keen. They’re studying aviation, flight history, and engineering principles,” she adds. “It was great for them to see the practical work up closed and the dedication of the volunteers, who were happy to explain a little of what’s involved when undertaking such a large-scale heritage project.”
Open to the public on Tuesday, Thursday and Sunday, the Werribee hangar is a working museum. “As well as seeing volunteers at work, visitors can see the fuselage up close and listen to the roar of operational engines during occasional engine running sessions,” explains Mr Collis. “The hangar is also home to working displays and a fascinating collection of photographs, personal memorabilia and documentation which provides an insight into the experiences of crews who flew the aircraft.”
The aim is for the B-24 Liberator (A72-176) at Werribee to be shown to the public with all elements “operational”. It is hoped that the bomber will eventually be ‘taxi-able’. Members of the public are welcome to visit this living memorial to all those who served with Liberators during WW2.
“The B-24 Liberator Memorial Australia is a great example of what can be achieved by a team of passionate, dedicated and organised volunteers. We’ve developed a strategic and detailed future plan for the ongoing preservation of the aircraft and we’re always open to new volunteers and fundraising opportunities,” Mr Collis concludes.
The B-24 Liberator Memorial Australia is accredited by Museums Australia (Victoria). The project’s funding and ongoing work mainly relies on the goodwill of volunteers, visitors and public donations to advance from where it was in the 1990s to the present day.
About the B-24
Carrying a large bomb load and protected by a set of defensive crewed gun positions, the RAAF B-24s were among the 19,000 built by Vultee/Consolidated and Ford in the US. These ‘workhorses’ routinely flew into Japanese controlled airspace and as a result were subjected to strong attacks during these missions and suffered some losses. Selected RAAF crews also performed special operations missions. During WW2, the RAAF operated a mixed fleet of 287 B-24D/J/L and M models, of which 33 were lost in action with, sadly, more than 200 aircrew lost.
B-24M A72-176 history
Arriving at Tocumwal in 1944, the A72-176 was issued to 7 OTU (Operational Training Unit). The training saw bomber crews learn how to fly the bomber, operate as a team and work with fighters. The bomber was flown up until March 1946 in other roles such as transport and was then retired from service. It was noted that it was to be eventually fitted out for an Antarctic mission, but this was never approved. Sitting quietly, it was finally disposed of at East Sale Airfield in March 1948, with the fuselage being sold to George Toye. Sadly, by the time George bought it, the RAAF had scrapped both the tail and wings. Still George accepted the fuselage and used it as temporary accommodation while he built his new house. The bomber sat on his property between the 1950s and the early 1990s; during this time the fuselage was exposed to the elements.
In 1989 a B-24’s fuselage was located at Moe, Victoria and negotiations began to purchase it, on condition that they could find a wing and tail. In 1991 the wing was acquired from a crash site of USAAF B-24D Liberator 42-41091, which had crashed in Papua New Guinea during WW2. The RAAF, Australian Army, Qantas, Shell and other companies helped recover the wing, which saw it imported into Australia in 1992 and eventually moved to Werribee. The fuselage was finally moved to Werribee 1995. After 50 years of exposure, the fuselage was badly battered, and it was clear that it would need a lot of restoration work. During 1996 a long clean-up was started of the fuselage internally and externally. In 2000, the volunteers then worked to ‘mate’ the fuselage and wing. On 15 August 2000 the mostly intact bomber was dedicated before an audience of 1,100 made up of WW2 veterans, special visitors and members.
Five Pratt and Whitney Twin Wasp 1830 engines are now operational – four working and one backup. These powerful and compact engines produce 1,200hp output via a two-row, 14-cylinder, air-cooled radial design.
None of the engines are yet fitted to the wing; the tailplane is complete but not fitted; the wing is still undergoing a long-term clean-up and restoration; and the wing tips are made but not fitted due to space limitations.
This particular B-24 can now stand on its own undercarriage and wheels but for the moment is held off the ground by jacks to preserve the wheels and struts. The volunteers are currently fitting out the internal crew stations, installing the internal wiring in the fuselage and wings along with other operational/life support systems. Components are sourced locally, nationally and globally to rebuild the bomber, and some parts have been made on site using the metal and handcraft skills of volunteers. Some parts have been duplicated at the workshop and on sold/traded to help other B-24 projects around the world.
The B-24 Liberator Memorial is located at Cnr Princes Hwy and Farm Road, Werribee 3030 and is open Tuesday, Thursday and Sunday from 9.30am – 3.30pm.
To learn more about the museum or to arrange a visit, check out the website at https://www.b24australia.org.au or contact them via email [email protected] or 0401 996408 (Graham Collis).
Robyn Thompson ([email protected])
