Major Milestone Hit in B-24 "Diamond Lil" Restoration

Dallas, TX (September 5, 2025) — The Commemorative Air Force (CAF) B-29/B-24 Squadron is celebrating a major step forward in the preservation of one of the world’s rarest warbirds.

Earlier this year, the squadron’s flagship B-29 FIFI overcame unexpected engine challenges and triumphantly returned to the skies for tour season. Now, with FIFI flying again, all eyes are on her sister ship: the iconic B-24 Diamond Lil, the only Liberator in the world flying regularly.

Grounded in April 2024 after routine inspections revealed weather damage to her control surfaces, Diamond Lil was placed on an intensive restoration schedule. Crews stripped, repaired, and re-covered her cloth-covered rudders, ailerons, and elevators while replacing her intricate flight control cables—work critical to keeping the vintage bomber airworthy for decades to come.

The project has been meticulous, and progress slow by design. “There’s only one flying B-24 like her in the world,” said squadron leaders. “Every step must be perfect.”

That dedication paid off on August 29, 2025, when Diamond Lil roared back to life in her first full engine run in more than a year—a powerful sound that electrified the hangar and signaled her steady march toward flight readiness.

While extensive testing and inspections remain, the CAF team is more determined than ever to see this historic bomber return to the skies. Supporters can follow Diamond Lil’s restoration on the squadron’s Facebook page or contribute to the project at www.cafb29b24.org/donate.

See the incredible engine start up!