Consolidated B-24 Tour - Subscriber's Request! - Part 2

We posted a question on our community page a little while back asking our subscribers what planes they'd like to see a tour of, and the Consolidated B-24J Liberator was among the top choices. Well, we listened, and here is Part 2 of the 2 part Consolidated B-24 Kermie Cam Tour!
Hope you enjoy the walk-around and walk-through, along with the commentary. If you like the tour and want more, please subscribe, and give us feed-back, and we'll do more. The next one could be the B-29, Fertile Myrtle, or the PBY. Thank you for your support!
(The Connie was first choice - • Lockheed Constellation... )
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Kermit Weeks

[@Polaventris]

You know life is good when you can't remember when you last were inside your own B-24 bomber.

[@leeenfieldsmle]

It is incredible to think that these were being turned out at Willow Run at the rate of one an hour. Absolutely astonishing considering the complexity of these aircraft.

[@johnosbourn4312]

The Factory you're describing is Willow Run, in Michigan, which is owned by Ford, and it's the largest aircraft, and auto factory in existence, dwarfing the Fort-Worth plant owned by Lockheed-Martin.

[@jasonrusso9808]

Willow spring isn't that an ALDI or mongrel brand bottled water? Wtf

[@ioe12]

Great job Kermie love this Museum

[@HabitualButtonPusher]

Glad to finally see a good shot of the Navigators station. My Uncle George was a B-24 Nav in the 8th. He never ever talked about it with us except how happy he was to have survived and for the rest of his life he was a happy good natured man. I can see why my Aunt Claire feel for him. Miss ya Uncle George.

[@ojofelixnm3608]

In WWII, our house was under one of the runway approaches at Kirtland in Albuquerque, and I saw a lot of B-17 and B-24s during the war years.Waiting for the bus at Richmond and Central(US-66) one Saturday afternoon in 1944, we saw our first B-29 landing on the north/south runway. My friends and I would bet on what kind of a plane would go over next, and we were all very excited when the B-29 came over. Memories from long ago when life was much different than from today.

[@andrewtucker1812]

Watching this you realize why so many never got out when it was fatally hit.. What a brave generation.. Full Respect...

[@cf6282]

Andrew Tucker The deafening roar of the engines, very tight spaces for the gunners and still they went up. I also realise that so many systems are required to get it in the air, cables, wires, fuel lines and what have ypu that can get hit putting the aircraft out of action. They built 18.000 of those and so many did crews did not return.

[@hdvette64]

I was thinking the exact same thing.

[@Larwenful]

And the B-24 was one of the "easiest" - well least hard - to get out of. The Lancaster had one exit for all the crew. Except the tail-gunner who could leave via the turret.

[@tomservo5347]

That was one of the major complaints of the navigator/bombardier. They couldn't easily bail out.

[@stone8597]

Agree 100%. You have all that gear on, the plane is moving and you have forces on you. So many ways to get hung-up. It wouldn't take much...just one buckle, strap or snag could cost you your life. I was in side both the Strawberry Bitch (B-24) and Shoo Shoo Baby (B-17)... both at Wright Patterson's Air Force Museum. They seemed to be pretty much the same... when I was inside them I was also struck with how difficult it would have been to get out and by how thin the outside skin was... you could easily take a screwdriver and poke right through the side...like a pop can.

[@deanlang6054]

My Father was a POW after being shot down in his B-24 over Germany in August of '44. He started as a ball gunner, but moved up to top turret because belly ball guns were replaced with HS-2 radar. That may explain the missing belly gun ball. Sadly, 7 of his crew perished. I have spent many years researching this history and am authoring a book which I hope to release as a free Amazon Kindle publication.

[@nogoodnameleft]

He must have been in a new B-24L which was done on only 1,000 post-1942 B-24s. They removed the ball turret because the weight of the B-24J was crazy large with all the full-sized turrets on the nose, tail, top, and bottom so they had to remove something because they also had to add the radar like what your dad told you. But that radar was for the bombardier, not for the temporarily removed ball turret. The Sperry ball turret was re-installed on B-24Ms after they found better lightweight materials that they could use.

[@resomony]

It's all good---whatever plane you tour----I'll watch em all.

[@frankw8074]

Your such a kid, no switch or knob is left untouched from front to back, top to bottom. Keep it up 👍

[@Llamedos]

Wow. Just Wow. I built this plane as a model when I was 11 years old (Airfix). Always loved building bombers! Avro Lancaster my favourite. Thank you for the best insight into how air crew had to adapt to such conditions and still fight a war! I am humbled and amazed. I really hope to see this wonderful aircraft reach for the sky once again!

[@paulmichaelsmith3207]

Great work. My father was a B-24 pilot in the 15th AF, 30 missions. I live in LA and years ago a friend of mine from the Times tipped me off about a static B-24 on the flight line at March Air Base. We went down there and a colonel met us, took us there in a jeep. We opened it up - it was hot, filthy, wonderful. We explored every inch of it, all but ruined our clothes, no matter. The 24 had English (Indian? Same? Sorry) markings on it. Was RAF and wound up in Indian service. Thirty years later, this turned out to be the same B-24 Collings restored. Year before my dad passed, he got the op to climb into that same B-24 and go on a flight in it from Indiana to Kalamazoo. Pretty cool.

[@paulmichaelsmith3207]

Wait - is this the same Indian plane as described here?

[@KermitWeeks444]

That's awesome. Thanks for sharing.

[@KermitWeeks444]

Collings still have their B-24.

[@paulmichaelsmith3207]

@@KermitWeeks444 Yep. It was just weird to be in that same dusty, forgotten plane back in the 80s then be on it with Dad and family flying around the Midwest. One thing I never hear mentioned - when we climbed into the beast years ago, dad looked around the cockpit, felt the controls, scoped it out. Then he opened the small side window, like that on a 50s/60s car and stuck his elbow and arm out. I said WTH is that all about? He replied, well, you've got a belly full of bombs, 2700 gallons of gas, it's starting to rain and you're taxiing out to be next on a mission. You wanna act cool, so you stick you arm out the side of the plane and casually lounge it across the fuselage like, no big deal...

[@6Sally5]

Thank you for the tour. They were basically non-insulated tin cans. I can’t even imagine the conditions for the crew at 20,000 feet especially in the winter. COLD, LOUD, no covering armor for the hail of enemy bullets and flack. Heros beyond imagination. Truly the greatest generation....the likes of which we will never see again.

[@Utahdropout]

Wow....!! Seeing what you had to do to navigate through that airplane gives one a real appreciation for what those boys in WWII had to endure flying those things. I can only imagine how uncomfortable it must have been riding in those things. Just to survive a single mission in one of those things must have been traumatic, let alone twenty five or more. There must have been a lot of PTSD among those who did. Thanks for the Kermie Cam

[@stephenhenion8304]

We toured the Collings Foundation Nine-O-Nine and their B 24. I got to walk the plank thru the Bomb bay! One set of Monkey Bars! Thanks again Kermit!!🇺🇸🎩🇺🇸 circa 1994

[@johnmauldon2603]

Thanks for the 2 part walk/crawl round...see the grand old lady still has teeth and drew blood has given me a great paint guide for my 1/32 B-24D...cheers Kermit!!

[@williamedmonds9581]

I love how complete this B-24 is. I can’t wait to see how much more beautiful she’ll look once restored. I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again “Kermit is living my dream”.

[@nogoodnameleft]

B-24Js are a thing of beauty like B-17Gs. B-24Js had full-sized manned turrets with seats at the nose, tail, top, and ball! B-17s never ever had turrets like B-24s because that wonky huge B-24 fuselage was designed to allow turrets while the B-17's tiny fuselage couldn't install them.

[@graymodeler]

I remember touring the Collings B24 at Sun and Fun when it was "All American". I remember walking the plank in the bomb bay. Quite a treat.

[@stuartyoung2036]

Kermit, thanks for the fantastic tour. You were a wealth of information. My dad was a radio operator-gunner on a B-24 and flew out of Italy during WWII. As mlovmo previously mentioned, the radio operator's station was right behind the copilot and across from the flight engineer on the flight deck. My dad's Bomb Group, the 376th, had several Mickey ships which had radomes inplace of the ball turret so the ship could identify targets through the clouds. Mickey ships served as lead ships in flight boxes and all the other ships in the box would drop their bombs once the Mickey ship did. The radar navigator sat in the place where you said the radio operator sat. So the ship you have may have been a Mickey ship. Great find if so.

[@oakenarbor2046]

Had a model of the B-24 as a kid. Flew it everywhere! I remember your Tamiami facility. But it was the late 90's trip to Fantasy that hooked me with the Storch. The unimaginable effort you have undertaken to capture and restore these aircraft is deeply appreciated. Your memorializing it all in sight and sound is esential. Accelerate please. Time is short! Thank you!

[@duanequam7709]

Just amazing. Have any plans to restore this bird . I am 79 and I sure hope I live long enough to see it fly. Great job as usual. Like I said before you are a national treasure.!!!!

[@carycoller3140]

Your video highlights the unseen hard work maintenance crews had to do to keep these things flying after coming back from missions full of bullet, cannon, flak holes and battle damage. This thing must have literally 1 million parts.

[@B1900pilot]

My Dad flew the B-24 in the Pacific theater…After completion of his crew’s training, he was retained as an instructor pilot. My Dad rotated to the Pacific in April 1944.

[@bobbycarbajal4460]

I hope you do restore this beautiful piece of history...I can’t believe it’s in such amazing condition!!!!

[@callen6893]

It always impresses me how you can keep any of this stuff straight with all the aircraft you own.

[@jimmilliard9617]

Thanks Kermit. My dad was a engineer on a B24 so I have a special interest in them He told me that he did a redesign on the Goodyear ball turret. He also told me he designed the master cylinder on the T6 and that he worked for Elrey Jeppesen.

[@RunFast64]

Nice clean and complete B-24 living inside a hanger. Glad you own it Kermit.

[@stratman50th]

The museum tour is really cool. You can poke your head up into this but I can see why there's no going inside, at least without a box of band aids. Really enjoyed seeing the PBY up close. I would have loved to see all the warbirds but as they tell you, it's Kermit's private collection. Highly recommended if you get down to "Orlampa" some time. I wish it ran 7 days a week but everybody is a volunteer so it is what it is. Thanks Kermit from your Polk City neighbor.

[@oscarharriet7030]

So great that you are preserving this magnificent beast. My Dad, passed away Dec 18, was a W/AG with the RAAF in ‘44-‘45. Spent his 20th birthday bombing Rabaul. Talked of 18hr patrols all over Timor and the Celebes with Bomb bay tanks. Loved the big cut outs in the sides, waving up at villagers in East Timor as they flew up the valleys. Made it as far east as Ceylon. Did all his training in the Markham Valley in PNG and was one of the few to not go through Tocumwal. Stripped them out and flew POWs home and dropped ‘storpedoes’ on POW camps in the bush. Third aeroplane into Jakarta after the surrender and, when walking about the city, had to guarded by Japanese Marines against the Nationalist Guerrillas. Sgt John Robinson from Singleton NSW.

[@cdjhyoung]

My father was in the last B 24 replacement unit sent to England, arriving on June 5, 1944. His instructors in Nebraska emphasized loiter time as a survival tactic. Knowing that England was almost always socked in on the return from mission, the crews and planes that could be diverted the farthest had the best survival options. In training, my father's co-pilot and flight engineer realized that a nose down attitude of the B 24 allowed the engines to be significantly throttled back and gave extended time in the air. When this crew dispatched overseas by way of New Newfoundland, Greenland and Iceland, my father had the entire crew, and their gear, crowd in the nose of the airplane to help adjust the attack angle of the plane and save fuel. They did well enough, that rather than land in Scotland as the rest of the crews in their unit did, they were directed to continue on to their assigned base north of London, an additional 4 hours in the air. That curtain Kermit pointed out may be there to help cut the air blowing through the airplane. The fuselage of the B 24 was not very tight, and there were points inside that had a direct blast of negative 30 degree, 160 mile per hour wind blowing through. Kermit: thank you for this tour. I heard years of stories about these planes from my father and his crew chief at the end of their lives. It has always been hard to fully understand what they had described to me. This has helped a lot.

[@mikemajoris8283]

8:06 : Perhaps it’s my slap happy self at 3am, but the part where he is in the nose and goes, “so this is where the Navigator… WOAHHHHH!” and almost goes ass over tea kettle due to that loose plywood flooring, literally had me in tears 😂😂😂 In all seriousness though, thank you so much for taking the time to show all of us such a beautiful aircraft… And my God, the level of original preservation is absolutely amazing!! It’s like a time capsule!

[@josephmccann4913]

My Father, Lt. McCann ( at that time ), flew as a Navigator with the 360th BGH Spinozzola, on the Adriatic coast of Italy. The Group flew B-24's and as you managed to say, yes there were 18K + the majority being built at the Ford Willow Run plant. Great tour ,,. McCann,J.E. USMC (ret) Semper Fidelis.

[@matth8410]

At 8:59...'Turret Casualty Release Crank' Printed on the back side of the turret. A frank and constant reminder of the risk these young men faced every day. Kermit, the reason I follow you is because these are the kinds of things I want to see, and I always just want to try to reach up and throw all the switches, and squeeze the trigger, just like you do in all of your videos....It's just so fascinating. Please keep doing what you do!!!

[@nogoodnameleft]

I love B-24s because of those full-sized manned turrets at the nose, tail, top, and ball (ball is fully retractable, btw). The B-17 could never put similar turrets at the nose and tail OTOH. Another reason why I like the B-24 more than the B-17. People can't compare a B-24A with that so-so fragile greenhouse nose with no turrets with a B-17G. They need to compare B-17Gs with B-24Js. Those B-24Js truly looked like Flying Fortresses with all those turrets everywhere.

[@seamasrigh2162]

Thanks Kermit. My uncle was a B-24 pilot with the 467BG out of Rackheath. For my family the B-24 is the plane that won the war. Hope you get her up and flying again.

[@dansarette101]

I liked it better when the public could visit and walk through all the facilities themselves, spend the day,have lunch in the restaurant,and watch a great 1:00 flight demo. You could even hop a ride in a Stearman or D-25 biplane! Those where great days! Please bring it back for us all Kermit!

[@veronicabrown4262]

my dad was a tailgunner in a B-24.one mission the bomb mechanism didnt work so they circled back.Th army aircorp frowned upon you not dropping your load on the intended target.my dad was chosen to release the bombs manually by the bombadiers command.can you imagine being on that skinny cat walk 20'000 feet up, the wind howling and flak bursting around you.Ive been in the Collings B-24 so i learned a new respect for my pops courage

[@topturretgunner]

Wow 😮. Kermit Weeks. That seems to be a pretty complete B 24. That seems a pretty complex machine. Archaic by today’s standards yes but in it’s day.... probably state of the art. Thanks for the tour and kudos for the contortions that you went through to get from one end to the other inside that aluminum maze.

[@mjarail]

One of my uncles was a gunner/toggleer on B-24s in India. The radio man was originally behind the co-pilot, with the Flight Engineer behind the pilot and in the turret. The relocation of the radioman above the bomb bay gave more room for radar equipment.

[@donaldallen772]

I can't thank you enough for this video. My father served as a Navigator on B-24H aircraft with the 467th BG, Rackheath, England. I've watched every B-24 walk through I've come across and this is the first tine I've seen the Navigator station. So cool. Amazingly, he was about 6 ft tall and had to traverse the same paths as you. He used to tell the story of always spinning the forward landing wheel on his way to the cockpit for landing; just to save wear on the tires. The front wheel well you elected not to try and climb up; well that's how my dad got out on April 29, 1944 after making a bomb run on Berlin and losing oxygen from flak and shot to hell by ME-109s.

[@saveusall6915]

My grandfather was a navigator in a 24, I don't think it was a 24-j like this but I always wondered where and what his position was like as well. Funny enough, he was a bit over 6 feet tall as well haha unfortunately he passed when I was 7 years old so he never got to tell me any stories. Had to hear em through my dad but I cant imagine its the same

[@olentangy74]

My uncle was a ball turret gunner on Liberators in the 44th Bomb Group, 8th Air Force flying out of RAF Shipdahm. He flew 23 missions and was credited with 2 kills. He was shot down in April 1944 over France. He was one of three crew members that got out. He was badly burned and was sent to a Luftwaffe hospital for treatment. He was then sent to a POW camp where he spent the remainder of the war.

[@KermitWeeks444]

Thanks for sharing.

[@Ofotherworlds]

My grandpa mentioned how harrowing walking through the bomb bay was with the bomb doors open in flight. He served in the European theater twords the end of the war with Germany, then was recalled to the states to train pilots for the war with Japan. But he transferred to a SIGINT unit shortly afterwords and did that for the Air Force until '79. He stayed stateside during the Korean War but deployed to Vietnam.

[@MGB-learning]

Wow, these two videos were outstanding. I never saw the inside of a B24 with all its original unrestored equipment. Thank Kermit.

[@danilorainone406]

restoration,inside wiring replaced,new green paint,sky blue pt, seats reupholstered, new rivets,,what a sight, work for 50 people

[@donalddodson7365]

WELL DONE! Thanks for sweating for the viewers. Someday may be able to travel, again, once the COVID-19 pandemic has calmed down. Sounds like you value a very rare piece of living history, and are not going to fiddle with it to get it in the air too soon. RIP WWII kids, who took very little for granted.

[@Rif_Leman]

As I contemplate building my own airplane, I am astonished by the number of individual parts in that bomber and to realize that complete combat ready B-24s were rolling out of the Willow Run production plant at the rate of one per hour in 1944. It truly is mind boggling to even comprehend just the organizational hurdles that had to be overcome for such an endeavor. The moniker "Greatest Generation" is somehow inadequate for those that accomplished the victory in WWII. Again, thank you for your efforts Mr Weeks. When I saw that sweat soaked shirt, I wanted to shout "Get out of there and go get cooled off Man!"

[@ormmeford2204]

I am so GLAD you didn't sell this, because you will restore this! Kudos!

[@erwinschmidt7265]

Mr. Weeks - Wow....your pet B-24 bit ya!! At least you're now an honorary member of The Red Arm - E (FOR EXCELLENT VIDEO)!!! Thanks much for all your efforts and kindness sharing your fantastic collection with us!!!!

[@captainzombie1]

My father was a bombardier in B24's. He told me about crawling through the bomb bay and kicking stuck bombs out after a run. It was so tight he couldn't ware a parachute.

[@tomservo5347]

Wow! That took nerves of steel-I do know all crews were told to not land with any bombs for obvious reasons.

[@reubensandwich9249]

Also many of them didn't use the portable oxygen bottle when they had to kick the bombs loose. Cold, bulky high altitude flight suit, open bomb doors, wind, no parachute, all while holding your breath.

[@christophercarlson4543]

I love all your videos. I’d love to help restore any of these great pieces of history. Getting into planes that someone’s brother, son , father, uncle or grandfather once put there life on the line for there country! I had the honor to sever in the Army for 12 years as a UH-60 crew chief and mechanic.

[@randalldunkley1042]

What is most common with these machines is the aroma of the chemicals used in the 40's for lubrication,varnish, oils and fuel and the zinc chromate paint. The smell is something you never forget. Also imagine being dressed for high altitude flight and climbing into this aircraft that has been sitting out in the Sun , closed up and with an inside temp of about 120 degrees or more. Especially bad when the aircraft were painted overall olive drab.

[@danielebrparish4271]

What was worse was reaching cruising altitude where the temperatures were 40 below and touching anything metal with your bare skin would rip your skin off. That is why air crews wore sheep skin lined clothing over their electrically heated flight suits and wore sheepskin lined gloves.

[@ercando11]

Blood, Sweat & Gears. Thank you yet again Mr. Weeks!

[@wdtaut5650]

I can't thank you enough! My dad was a navigator in a J. This is the first time I have ever seen what he described to us. He said it was tight. Understatement.

[@chamberlin1]

My grandmother always talked about how she'd sign the backs of the B-24 instrument panels whe she was working at Willow Run during the war... It was great to finally see what the back of one of those panels looks like! Makes me wonder what's hiding behind all that crazy green and blue spray paint! Thanks Kermit :)

[@davelewandoski4292]

Just watched again.always enjoy the Kermie cams.Ive been in two B-24s and you always point out things I missed. Thanks for sharing your collection Kermit!

[@johncahill2309]

my father was WO/AG ball turret and he had a few stories about the bomb bay cat walk..the pilot would call him up to the front then open the doors as he was half way along the cat walk so he could check the view...

[@DavidG62]

I think the bombsite is a Brit one. Same as used in Lanc. You said this came from Indian Air Force so this would make sense. Great tour. Thanks

[@waynetodd3287]

wellington62 correct, it’s a British bombsight.

[@waynetodd3287]

wellington62 this plane was flown by the RAF before it was turned over to the Indian Airforce.

[@Peter.w]

@@waynetodd3287 T1A bombsight and its computer on the left

[@pradeepchakraverti]

@@waynetodd3287 I grew up in the city where these IAF Libs flew out of and even got a chance to look inside them as a boy in the early 60s. However didn't really get to crawl through the interior, since IAF regs didn't allow that. Incidentally, the Libs were ex-USAF aircraft. After the War, they were strewn around airfields in Northern India, mostly in Agra. There was an order to destroy them and render them unserviceable. That task was begun in earnest even to the extent of using bulldozers to speed up the process! But the drawdown and withdrawal of RAF personnel from India led to the operation petering out, where sledgehammers and crowbars got used instead. The upshot of this was the destruction became selective then. However, critical equipment was removed for the most part, including most of the turret guns. Few of the aircraft could even be considered airworthy. The IAF (which came into existence in 1947) contemplated completing the process. Till somebody had the bright idea of trying a "salvage job"! It so happened that the Hindustan Aircraft Ltd (now Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd) had engineers and mechanics who were familiar with Liberators, since they earlier had the MRO contract for their maintenance. They were roped in and they then trained IAF maintenance personnel and the salvage began. Some of the initial work was done at the Aircraft Maintenance Depot in Kanpur and major work was completed at Bangalore. An intrepid Chief Test Pilot of HAL with a handful of other pilots flew them to Bangalore. He did most of the flying, often accompanied by his wife and pet dog. There are some interesting stories of those flights when engines and other things acted up and gave up. As it is one, went through 5 or 6 engines to find one that worked to enable the ferry flight. That would explain the bombsight on this a/c. The original Norden sight is likely to have been replaced since the IAF only had access to RAF equipment. Long story short, this ingenious salvage operation gave the nascent IAF it's first multi-engine bomber aircraft which was not intended, when the British (and the RAF) left India. However, they were not used in that role. Probably the only time they dropped bombs (apart from training sorties) was at a public air display at the Tilpat Ranges in 1950. Their long range saw them turned into LRMR and Air Survey aircraft. In this role, some of them were fitted with Marconi Search Radars. They were eventually superseded in this role by Lockheed Super Constellation aircraft, which was again an innovation; since the Super-Connies had been civilian airliners earlier. Later Il-38s and Tu-142s took on that role and this task moved to the IN from the IAF. Now Boeing P-8is are also cast in that role.

[@NesconProductions]

@HiWetcam Interesting analysis/observations HiWetcam. Kermit Weeks is most likely they only person in the world who could confirm accuracy of both of these bomb sights side-by-side these days. Seen a video of Kermit dropping watermelons out the bomb bay of his B-25 so could be done ;-).. Err. side-note the different methods used in strategic bombing between the US & Britain during WW2 were literally/figuratively night & day apart. Firebombing (before the advent & dropping the nuclear bombs) seemed to be the method of choice by both countries towards the end of the war though.

[@miketeeveedub5779]

Thank you Kermit for your blood, sweat and manly tears (at least painful groans) showing us your spectacular aircraft. I am amazed at how "open" everything is; from the bomb-bay and "The Plank", to the nose gear, the exposed back of the instrument panels, to the body gaps on the rear turret, and minimal insulation around the aircraft. You can tell it was a minimalist war-time build. It must've been terrifying to fly in for those first few flights for the rookie crew. Imagine being a 19 or 20 year old kid and told to go bomb some target in that thing. That's beyond the mental scope of most people today. We absolutely stand on the shoulders of giants. Thanks and massive respect to all the brave men who flew these aircraft! They were truly a different generation.

[@garypashley3636]

Another awesome video, was lucky enough to meet many B-24 crew veterans in the late 80's thru 90's on their return visits to former 8th Air Force bases local to me in East Anglia. This video just confirms to me that I'm not built to be a B-24 crew member, I do recall the LB-30 Diamond Lil being much more spacious inside. How those brave kids ever bailed out of these things in a emergency is beyond me.

[@Glen.Danielsen]

Just fascinating. Good brave men lived in these bare-bones pieces of machinery. Great gratitude for them. Thanks again brother Weeks.

[@drabodows]

Thanks for the great tour, Kermit. And thanks for showing my dad's office, the nose turret. He served in the 466th BG, 785BS. Flew 12 missions and survived a crash landing of the b-24 "CONNIE", in Holland on 31MAR1945.

[@adriancox-thesantjordigolf3646]

Incredible tour Kermit. Hardly surprizing so many crews were lost. They could never get out of that spinning maze. Thanks.

[@jhettish]

I appreciate the two parts of the video. My father was co-pilot in a 24 flying out of Italy. Fortunately for him, my mother and me the allies had achieved air superiority by the time he got there. I was born in January 1945 while he and his crew were in Bermuda being refueled on their way to Italy. He didn't see me until I was 6 months old. He retired in 1982 as an FAA Air Traffic Controller who was smart enough not to go on strike.

[@bsqerlyracing]

Super Deluxe!!! Thanks for sharing Kermit...

[@DavidKBrown-wq2lm]

My Dad (1st Lt Kenneth Brown) and J.Edens, E. Miller, A.Felbin, W.Moore, V.McDonald, M.Barsossi, J.Foley, R.Downing, and W.Curran (all less than 25 years old) flew a plane like this to help win the war in the Pacific. Thanks Kermie, you sat in Dad's seat.

[@MUSTBUYRIGHT]

Thanks for the tour . glad to see you brought it inside . It deserves it.

[@gregaussie5254]

There is a b24 being rebuilt in Werribee victoria Australia, , guys have been doing it for over 30 years that I know off. It will never fly again as its lost the landing strip , been sold off to housing , yours would be great to see in the air again. Great video of a great plane , just imagine being in it over Germany back in the days ,

[@BaumannJA]

Kermit, Always great to see you and give you a Wave at Oshkosh! I was extremely pleased to come home and find you had done this with the B-24. Your 24 and Martin Marauder are two of the most rare WWII Bombers, and they both generate a lot of interest from us Warbird Lovers. Such Amazing Machines! Thank You Kermit for continuing to share your amazing collection with us.

[@richardells57]

What a great tour. Dad was a co pilot in the Pacific in one of these. Had to ditch in the ocean due to a fire in #3. 7 KIA. I have done a walk through a couple of times, and rode in the Collings B-24 and scattered Dad's ashes. Thank you reliving some of those moments for me. Can't believe anyone would survive in those cramped quarters. Sadly I write this about six months after the B-17 crash. Looks like the FAA has revoked their exemption for now to continue flying.

[@executivecoup7559]

😂 I cracked up hearing Kermie moan and groan as he was crawling through the bomber. We're the same age and he sounds just like me anymore. When I was in the Air Force and a lot younger I had to crawl inside the fuel tank of a C-130 to replace a fuel quantity probe. Couldn't do that today. I got picked because I was so skinny 40 years ago. Talk about claustrophobia.

[@executivecoup7559]

@El Bee I can't imagine that. Let alone bailing out if you had to get out in a hurry. The things our guys went through during their missions. Just incredible. Their bravery was truly enormous. Much respect and a heap of gratitude.

[@woooster17]

I did a taxy experience in Lancaster Just Jane NX611 2 years ago based at East Kirkby in the UK... I was lucky enough to stand behind the pilot and engineer, and with all 4 Merlins turning the noise and emotion was incredible. Anyway, my point it that there is way more room within the B-24 compared to the Lanc.. My mind was in overdrive trying to imagine how you bailed out, at night, on fire, pulling G in a spin.. frightening. I did this with my dad as his uncle was Flt Lt N Stent, pilot with 100 Squadron who unfortunately was KIA Feb 1943 returning from a mission. He was only 23.

[@elemmiir]

Wonderful plane! I can’t believe how original it all is, even with the canvas! The red box with two buttons is the IFF destruction box - set off a small charge to destroy sensitive equipment. CAF’s LB-30 actually was originally a b-24A that was damaged in a ferry flight. It was then rebuilt as the prototype LB-30, I believe. It did start life as a proper bomber-configured b-24, though. Thanks so much for the video - it really was a treat to see such an original B-24!

[@jeffryheintz9405]

I was down there in '04 and walked around this plane out on the tarmac. I need to get down there again.

[@BarryHarper-pc2wu]

Mr Weeks thank you. My late father flew in B24s. When he was alive we went to museums and airshows and I had the pleasure of watching him basically do a pre flight on a static B24 at RAF Cosford. There were photos of his former base in Italy which they shared with USAAF and I watched the years fall away from him. He was so patient with my constant questions. He was a flight engineer/co pilot, but until this video I had never been so close to being inside, you made me feel like I was almost there with you (I wish). I have had the pleasure of visiting Fantasy of Flight twice whilst holidaying in the US. I hope I may again, I fully recommend it. even though I’m getting on a bit now I still love watching aircraft especially war birds and get a thrill every time I hear and see them. I am lucky to live on the south coast of England so get to see veteran planes flying over on at least a weekly basis in the summer. I would like to say I followed in my father’s footsteps and joined the RAF but no much to Dad’s amusement I joined the Royal Navy and served for 23 years. I have my late father’s log book but after watching your video, I feel I have a lot more understanding of what those casually written notes actually meant. After his bombing and supply drops over Italy, Germany and the former Yugoslavia, it was nice to read his latter missions were flying troops, POWs and nursing staff back to the UK. Once again thank you Mr Weeks for giving me some very happy memories and I really hope I may get to Florida again sometime in the not to distant future.

[@KermitWeeks444]

Thanks for sharing.

[@pnuts1649]

Thanks for the tour. Nice to see at least one B-24 in private hands being preserved. At least you are keeping it indoors. Not like the USAF ones sitting outside rotting. Barksdale comes to my immediate mind.

[@Buff_Dave_Oprtr]

WHAT a cool,cool, history lesson on the old bomber! Really enjoyed this Kerm!

[@ATONAL6173]

3:00 Yay!!!!! Lift up! Yay!!!! Drove me about crazy watching part 1, where you didn't see the instruction on the wall. So easy for me to armchair quarterback, but I couldn't help leaving a teasing comment on part 1 expressing our desire for satisfaction, wishing I could yell into the screen, "Lift up!" You never fail to deliver, Mr. Weeks. :) What an awesome time capsule...

[@Dirks_NUMA_Files]

Its hard to imagine working your way around one of these during optimal conditions let alone during a bail out situation. Hard to believe anyone could get out of that thing. Thanks for the tour

[@doubletap800]

Thanks for the tour. This was my favorite plane growing up. I grew up and still live near the Willow Run plant.

[@TheRaptorXX]

Absolutely riveting! Thanks for this (parts 1 AND 2). That beauty is SO untouched, it's a beauty waiting to be dressed back up again.

[@kikufutaba1194]

I am only 151cm tall and 39kg I do not think I would fit in the front of this aircraft. Weeks-san thank you so much for this video so very interesting. Also thank you for saving history with all your wonderful projects.

[@Karl-Hungus]

Thanks for posting the vid. Was lucky enough to have seen that 24 fly back in the day and have always loved looking at it when I have been over at FoF. Hopefully one day it will take to the air again.

[@martinalbion9554]

Thanks for the tour, Kermit. Getting a good look around in your B-24 has been on my wish list!

[@emiliofernandez7570]

Absolutely phenomenal!!.

[@chucks2k]

2/25/24 20:16 CDT Thanks for the tour of the B24J very nice. My father flew 16 missions with the 8th over Germany towards the end of WW2 in the B24 Liberator. The stories of his experience as a young pilot of this incredible plane are passed down family treasures. Thank you for passing down your knowledge of this plane.

[@aaronseet2738]

Can't imagine all the painstaking work to make it air-worthy again. Let alone combat operationally ready.

[@johncollins6023]

A blood sacrifice for the viewers! Most appreciated!

[@chs82ndab]

Kermit thanks for the run through. Man lots of interior green paint in those birds.

[@dennisporter753]

Very awesome B-24.. I have been on Witchcraft and Diamond Lil. I sure hope you get her restored to flying condition.. it will take years of hard work though.. I had no clue you owned this.. so thanks for sharing this beautiful B-24 Liberator..

[@harpomarx7777]

I'm your age and I'm certain I could not have done that tour the way you managed, Kermit. Much appreciated.

[@laz288]

Another great tour. Amazing how utilitarian those planes were. Everything had a purpose and no room for anything barely enough to crawl through. Shows you the sacrifice and courage those men had flying those.

[@lars9631]

I just walked through Witchcraft today after watching this video. Very cool!!! I'd love to see videos of you bird's restoration...

[@jbellos1]

Loved it!!! Awesome for me as a scale modeler with, by chance, a 1/32 scale B-24J model kit in my kit stash. This sort of un-restored view is absolutely priceless. Thanks!

[@darkredvan]

Thank you for showing us around your B-24. Very interesting.

[@mikoyanfulcrum1]

Incredible shape!! She is BEGGING for a full restore!!. Amazingly complete. Awesome!!

[@xpump876]

..great vid! @ approx 13:15 Kermit comments "....this is cooler than crap or what..." He couldn't have said it any better !!! -- what a piece of history ..WOW... to get this fully restored would be a monumental effort -I hope to see it happen! Go Kermit!

[@sailing8130]

Thank you for doing this video. My father flew a B-24 out of Italy November 1944 to VE day. They flew the northern route over and the southern route on return. I have the manuals Consolidated issued with the aircraft, sectional charts and a target map that was in the airplane, on the mission used to bomb Linz, Austria.

[@StephensCustomModels]

I'm reading a Stephen Ambros book about these right now, this sure helps me visualize a lot of what he's explaining in the book.

[@johnosbourn4312]

I know that book your reading right now, because, I own a copy of that book. Now, I recommend you to track down the Warbird Tech Volume on this bomber, as well, as the four Combat Aircraft series Volumes, along with the Duel Series Volume, along with the five different B-24 books from Squadron Signal.

[@ronniedanielsson1166]

just like stepping back in time.

[@garywood1973]

Hi Kermit From Australia , thanks for the tour on the B24 , my word their isn't even enough room to sweat in that thing , if you ever restore the B24 please be authentic it needs to be recognised for what it is , their is a B24 here in Australia being restored in Victoria a huge project a lot of money & a lot of years gone into it again thanks for the tour .

[@阪間和彦]

Thank you, Kermit, everything's really nice!! I love 'em all.

[@coolluckyme2007]

Thumbs up for the plane walk-through and the smile at the end.