Seventy-five years after making her first flight the Commemorative Air Force (CAF) B-24 Liberator, Diamond Lil has returned to the air to lead a CAF AirPower History Tour and a squadron of 7 historic aircraft to a landing at a veterans’ celebration and fundraiser at Branson Airport, Labor Day Weekend, September 2-4, 2016. The CAF AirPower History Tour is a sky borne tribute to The Greatest Generation, the men and women who served in the United States Armed Services and on the Home Front during World War II.
16 million men and women served in uniform during the Second World War. The Veterans Administration estimates less than 850,000 are alive today and almost all are 90 years old or older.
Winsor ‘Verd’ Morrison of Hollister, 91, was 18 when he enlisted in the Army Air Corps in 1944. He spent three years in the military as a B-24 bombardier. He is looking forward to seeing the squadron of historic aircraft at the Branson Airport Sept. 2-4, especially Diamond Lil. “I have seen a lot of interest among younger people here who are eager to see the WWII planes,” Morrison said. “I have not been to a show, or seen a B-24 up close for many years, perhaps since 1945.”
More than any other aircraft, the Liberator is a symbol of the Arsenal of Democracy, President Franklin Roosevelt’s program to retool and mobilize American industry with the goal of supplying the Allied war effort during the Second World War. Over 18,400 units were manufactured by four companies in California, Michigan, Oklahoma and Texas, making the B-24 Liberator the most produced military aircraft in American history.
Lou Unfried of Branson, a 95 year-old B-29 co-pilot and engineer, helped build and keep WWII’s “birds” air safe. Although he enlisted in the Army Air Corps to be a pilot, Unfried’s Commander told him he was needed to work on planes, not fly them. As an engineer he worked on many types of planes, including the B-24, B-27 and B-29. He eventually got to become a co-pilot on a B-29. “I am glad they (the CAF) are keeping up the planes. They are part of a passing age”, Unfried said. ”The prop planes are all part of history now.” The Army Air Corps became the US Air Force in 1947.
“The Branson Veterans Task Force is proud to partner with the Commemorative Air Force and Branson Airport to help preserve and teach American history” said Brenda Meadows, Branson Veterans Task Force Chairperson “These aircraft are incredible machines, but more importantly they embody the service and sacrifice of the men and women who built and flew them.”
Accompanying Diamond Lil will be a twin-engine B-25 Mitchell bomber, a TBM Avenger torpedo bomber and P-51 Mustang, arguably the best all-around fighter of World War II. Other participating aircraft include a T-6 Texan, T-34 Mentor and Boeing Stearman bi-plane. Each aircraft has been restored by members of the Commemorative Air Force, providing the public with an opportunity to tour the aircraft, watch them fly and purchase rides. Proceeds from the tour stop will be used to maintain the aircraft and support Branson Veterans Task Force community programs.
The CAF AirPower History Tour will be staged at the Branson Airport Jet Center, 130 Wright Bros. Road, Hollister. The event will open to the public Friday, Sept 2nd 2:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.; Saturday, Sept 3rd and Sunday Sept 4th from 9:00 a.m. to 5.00 p.m. Admission to the ramp is $15 for adults and $5 for children ages 11-17. Children age 10 and under are free. Admission fee includes a FREE tour of Diamond Lil. For ride reservations and additional information about the AirPower History Tour visit www.AirpowerTour.org.