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On October 27, 2006 a simple question on the Warbird Information Xchange resulted in one of the largest and most viewed topics in the history of WIX. The question concerned the transformation of the LB-30 Liberator operated by the Commemorative Air Force, also know as "Diamond Lil". The transformation Lil was to undertake would involve starting a major reconstruction effort in order to restore Diamond Lil to her original configuration as a bomber. This challenge was to be undertaken by Gary Austin and his team of
volunteers during the winter of 2006/2007 and to get as much work completed by the start of airshow season 2007. Gary Austin, known as Retroaviation on the WIX forums, responded to the question with answers as well as pictures of the section he was working on. As work progress Gary has added many more pictures, stories and essentially a running
commentary on the progress of the reconstruction. At the time of this writing the thread has had nearly 50,000 viewings and contains more than 500 messages. This thread continues to grow on a daily basis and as such I decided that a sort of archive would be useful to try and organize the thread and present Gary's pictures and information in a more streamlined format so that people would have a better idea of whats involved in maintaining these aircraft. As such I will be creating this page and it's brethren in the coming weeks, starting with the original posts and continueing with new updates as they are presented by Gary, and arranged in the chronological order of the project. I want to thank Gary for his time and efforts in bringing us warbird nuts into his world and letting us experience the scene behind the warbirds. — Scott Rose, WRG Editor
Table Of Contents: Recreating the Starboard Waist Gun Position: Part II Fabricating tail gunner compartment structure: Part I Fabricating tail gunner compartment structure: Part II Fabricating tail gunner compartment structure: Part III Fabricating tail gunner compartment structure: Part IV Fabricating tail gunner compartment structure: Part V Fabricating tail gunner compartment structure: Part VI Fabricating tail gunner compartment structure: Part VII Removing the radio operator's floor Refurbishing the Cockpit: Part I Control surfaces and Navigator's station Fabricating the tunnel gun: Part I Fabricating the tunnel gun: Part II Fabricating the tunnel gun: Part III Fabricating the tunnel gun: Part IV Fabricating the tunnel gun: Part V Section 1 Fabricating the tunnel gun: Part V Section 2 Fabricating the tunnel gun: Part VI Fabricating the tunnel gun: Part VII Fabricating the tunnel gun: Part VIII Fabricating the tunnel gun: Part IX Section 1 Fabricating the tunnel gun: Part IX Section 2 Fabricating the tunnel gun: Part IX Section 3 Fabricating the tunnel gun: Part IX Section 4 Fabricating the tunnel gun: Part IX Section 5 Fabricating the tunnel gun: Part IX Section 6 Fabricating the tunnel gun: Part IX Section 7 Fabricating the tunnel gun: Part X Removing the nose glass: Refurbishing the bombadiers station: Part I Volunteers in action: Part I Volunteers in action: Part II Rear Entry Door: Part I Rear Entry Door: Part II Rear Entry Door: Part III Rear Entry Door: Part IV Rear Entry Door: Part V Rear Entry Door: Part VI
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