Established in 1989 the "FUNDS" sole purpose is "to do all that is necessary to aquire and restore a B-24 Liberator for display in an accredited (Australian) museum as part of the national collection".
In 1984 an idea was floated by Eric Clark an ex21sqn Wireless Operator, Air Gunner (W.A.G) that it was time that Australia had a B-24 Liberator Heavy Bomber both as a reminder that this aircraft played a significant role in the defence of Australia during World War Two and as a memorial to the 20,000 Australians who operated and maintained this mighty aircraft throughout its R.A.A.F. service.
ERIC CLARK
In 1988 Eric was joined by his old war time skipper and great friend Bob Butler
and soon they were joined by the then C.O. of 21sqn Sqn Ldr Terry Lane and the three men began to plan the birth of what was to become the largest restoration group of its kind in Australia.
It was not long before the realisation came that they had taken on a huge task and that they had little or no resources from which to draw support and two facts became clear in very short order. The first was that all of Australia's B-24s were sent to scap shortly after the end of the war and the second was that to aquire an airframe there were going to be considerable logistical and political hurdles to overcome.
A R.A.A.F. team undertook a survey of the Australian mainland and surrounding islands to ascertain the viability of any of the many crashed B-24s that littered the Australian Bush. Within twelve months a file of crash sites had been produced and some 37 aircraft were listed for an intensive ground survey.
Although these sites were expected to be able to supply the "FUND" with much needed parts, none had a sufficiently complete airframe that would suit restoration.
It was decided to aquire an ex R.A.F. LB30 which while in civilian use had crashed in Alaska. Shortly before the task was complete, the fuselage of B-24M/R A72-176, an ex R.A.A.F. machine was located on a property near Moe in Victoria, not 300 kilometers from home base. This fuselage represented the only substantial remains of Australias once mighty heavy bomber force and as such it was decided that it must form the basis of the restoration. The aircraft had been sold for scrap in 1948 and unfortunately the wings and tail section were lost.However, although stripped of all fittings the fuselage remained intact and had not suffered from trasportation to Moe.
At about the same time an almost complete but by no means intact airframe was discovered in the Ramu Valley of P.N.G. A ground survey proved that the wing and tailplane were in excellent condition considering the plane had been shot down,crash landed and lain in the jungle for some 50 years. It was decided to put the Moe fuselage on hold and concentrate all efforts in recovering the wing and tailplane. After much discussion between ourselves, the P.N.G. Government, The R.A.A.F. and anyone else we thought may be able to help, a salvage operation was set in train and after months of intense effort, the wing and tailplane arrived in Melbourne.
THE WING IN THE HANGAR AT WERRIBEE
The problem of a suitable home for the restoration was solved with an offer from the local water authority, Melbourne Water, for the use of an old World War Two hangar that was on their property in Werribee, Victoria. We took possesion and moved the wing into the hangar in January 1994 and prepared to begin work in earnest.
The airframe required a great deal of specialised equipment, jigs, work platforms, gantries etc. and all of this equipment had to be built before any serious work could proceed and so the remainder of 1994 was dedicated to producing as much equipment as possible. Meanwhile recovery programs on two important crash sites in Northern Australia were begun. "POOCHIE, A B-24D of the 528th Squadron of the 380th Bombardment Group U.S.A.A.F. and another B-24D, also of the 380th Bomb Group were visited and quite a number of valuable parts were recovered and brought to Melbourne.
As we moved into 1995 and work on the wing got underway our thoughts returned to the recovery of the fuselage from the Rainforest at Moe. Another set of purpose built equipment was needed and six months went by before we were ready to attempt the recovery. A starting date in October was fixed with the expectation that we would need 12 people on site and the work of recovery would be spread over 6 weeks. With the assistance of The Australian Army the recovery was succrssful and in November amid much joy and emotion the fuselage was delivered to Werribee.
THE FUSELAGE ARRIVES IN WERRIBEE
1995 also saw the beginnings of our national search for parts. Men and women gave up weekends and annual leave to criss cross the country in search of parts that were sold after the war. After two years, 70% of the furnishings and fittings required have been found.
The restoration really got underway in 1996 with 30 volunteers working on the aircraft 2 days a week. After 2 years the "FUND" had a membership of over 500 and a support base of 40 companies supplying materials and equipment.
By 1997 the membership had grown to 700 and the restoration became popular as a meeting place for reunions, the end of car rallies and visits from veteran and vintage car groups and motor cycle clubs.
Sadly, Eric passed away earlier this year but the "FUND" is working hard to complete his vision of A B-24 Liberator that will be presented to the nation in the not too distant future.
