The Diamond Lil B24 Flight to Norwich, England

[@ketchy7]

I remember visiting diamond at this time and did get on board as a small boy

[@theafro]

I was there the day she came back to norwich, right under the approach of 09. I was a wide-eyed 9 year-old boy, clinging to one of the approach-light poles as she roared overhead, It made quite an impression on me. I used to live within a mile or so of Norwich airport (and it's brilliant little aviation museum) and now I live around 2 miles from Attlebridge, and pass by the memorial frequently, Occasionally I'll stop for a few minutes when I've got time to offer thanks to those young lads that gave so much for us. And to remember that this little patch of Norfolk was the last solid ground many (too many) of those brave young men would walk upon.

[@garycane6660]

I remember seeing her sailing over the sky here in Norfolk right by my workshop, I could here something coming and could not believe what it was, it looked enormous. My uncle who virtually lived at Wending airfield as a schoolboy would have been so pleased to see one flying once again but he sadly died a couple of years earlier. I will never forget it, such a fleeting glance in reality but one that will remain.

[@wholeworldtraveller1632]

I worked at Norwich Airport at the time and heard her go over the terminal building. After she landed, I was lucky enough to be invited airside to look around her by David Hastings daughter who I had also worked with. I was also introduced to Al Dexter who piloted such beautiful aircraft from nearby Hethel where he has served. I asked him what was going through his mind before each mission, given the high casualty rate of daylight bombing raids to the glorious 8th. His reply was, we had a job to do and we concentrated on that. They were heroes to the last man. I then got to climb aboard and tried to imagine flying at more than 10k feet in the freezing cold. Great film, thanks for posting.

[@normannokes9513]

As a schoolboy I remember the USAF air armadas, The hazardous journey undertaken by thousands of young airmen to engage the enemy is revealed in this impressive programme. Primitive aeronautics compared with today's standards. Such great courage/

[@Liberator74]

Great documentary - thank you!

[@robh4671]

I have a photo of me holding my two year old son as he sat on top of the wheel of diamond lil, he’s 32 this year. Memories from the UK.

[@mrumbug]

Bloody brilliant. We have so much to be proud of. Thank you for the post

[@welshparamedic]

WHAT A WONDERFUL, WONDERFUL FILM!

[@jamescarrollharrison6533]

My Dad flew fhom the U S to South America and then across the atlantic during WWII. He was a crew chief on B-24s. W/ The Ringmasters.( And another sqdrn). He retired after 23 yrs.

[@kentmitchell1510]

PS Dad and I visited the library at Norwich in the summer of1977 while I was studying at New College, Oxford. While we were there, he picked up a book that listed the names of all the personnel of the 2nd Division 8th Army Ai Force killed in action. That is one of the very few times I ever saw my father cry. Over the years, I have learned that he saw 31 men in his Bombardment Group die. Nothing but love and respect from this Yank.

[@2nd.Air.Division.8thUSAAF]

Hi Kent....what bomb group was your Dad in? I wonder if we met him at reunions. I thought you might like to see the new Library....this is the link to Roll of Honor about the rededication of the Library in 2001, seven years after the fire destroyed it in 1994....the 2nd Air Division returned for a reunion in Norwich for a week of ceremonies.... kzbin.info/www/bejne/a4iyZZ2CnbppjZo

[@kentmitchell1510]

446th Heavy Bombardment Group (aka "the Bungay Buckaroos" ) Dad wasn't much for reunions.

[@Hawaiian80882]

So enjoyed this

[@jamespestell6136]

I use to work next to Lotus Cars at the time of when Diamond Lil flew over to the UK and recall her doing a low fly by at the former US Base at Hethel.

[@davidholder3207]

Great video. Amazing to realise that lady pilots of the ATA (Air Transport Auxiliary) flew that route across Greenland, Iceland during WW2 to delivery various USA & Canadian aircraft for the fight for freedom.

[@tonyfranks9551]

Superb in every way..

[@kentmitchell1510]

my father spent the 4 months of his life near Norwich, flying as a waist gunner on a B-24.

[@kentmitchell1510]

oops! Most *exciting* 4 months of his life.

[@roseogrady8785]

So Good To See.

[@grahamjordan1040]

I remember seeing it flying over our home we lived between Kings Lynn and Spalding the Jaguars were already flying with it an awesome site .

[@peterbustin2683]

So sad a lot of memorabilia was lost in Norwich library fire years ago.

[@warrenchambers4819]

Never crossed the atlantic on an old bird but I did fly over the great lakes, the falls and down over the swamps of the south in a Caribou and boy does this video give me that old familiar feeling.

[@peterschmidt7543]

Watching this Aug. -22 out of pure flying enthusiasm. Very understandable action/emotions since only a few men and women still were around -92 who ever dealt the metal of a ww2 warbird back in the 40’s. Today 30 after this took place I guess they all are beyond the horizon. I’d like to give my best regards to the staff of Norwich. I knew this was more than just another airport landing there late May -22 SE MDV

[@patrickmccarthy7068]

Really enjoyed this, can’t believe it’s taken 30 years for me to watch this! How many are still alive? How many American bombers made this route without a heated hanger? Bless everyone of them!

[@flyingfortressrc1794]

That is such an amazing story. I had no idea that Diamond Lil made this journey. I'm really glad I stumbled on this video. Definitely had a smile throughout this video. Thanks for filming and posting this.

[@outlawflyer7868]

This was an earlier model right because the nacelles aren't oval. What a cool trip.

[@donclark8673]

I had the privilege to fly on diamond Lil 2 years ago got to sit up with the pilots Great plane Great flight so privileged

[@lsmith6378]

Saw diamond LIl from the car park of Norwich ASDA in 1992. A big thankyou to the 20,,000 or so guys that didn't make it to the end

[@welshlyn9097]

Then you woke up 🆙.

[@arnenelson4495]

Awesome!

[@v-tecpower1916]

Has anyone got video footage of this plane in dunkeswell England.when I was a kid I got a signed poster like these.still got it.

[@taofledermaus]

That was a great video.

[@2nd.Air.Division.8thUSAAF]

I want to mention to all of you who have been so kind to comment on David Hastings' video that I have been trying to forward comments to him. He has been thrilled to see them. I want to share a link to another video about Norwich and its shared history with the B24 air and ground crews and their families. Roll of Honor covers the week long events of the rededication of the Memorial Library, now called the American Library, in 2001. The 2nd Air Division returns for its final full division reunion in Norwich. Roll of Honor introduces the viewer to the kinds of men and women whose names are on the Roll of Honor, many who are buried at the American Military Cemetery at Maddingley or whose names are engraved on the Wall of the Missing. It follow the journey of the Roll of Honor to the Norwich Cathedral and then to its placement in the Memorial Library. You will see David Hastings, the producer of Diamond Lil, featured in much of Roll of Honor as he helped organize the citywide events from the rededication to the Freedom of the City honor at St. Andrews. kzbin.info/www/bejne/a4iyZZ2CnbppjZo

[@alespersin6066]

This was 30 years ago.....

[@grahamjordan1040]

As stated in the headline 🙄

[@ronaldharris6569]

Just looking at the square nose I find it amazing the lib was faster than the fortress

[@dianethompson115]

Went to see her with my young daughters on of my girls call Ed her budgie after Diamond Lil

[@juanfranciscomurillolara3410]

cual es de este con el camberra

[@bobkohl6779]

Try to walk the props on FiFi, I have

[@thomasbayer5736]

I knew when the gear was going up, someone will stop the cycle, that drives me nuts!

[@arnenelson4495]

Same here.