Consolidated B-24 Liberator

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The B-24 Liberator was not only built in considerably greater numbers than the famous B-17 Flying Fortress, but it was the most extensively produced of all of the U.S. wartime aircraft. It served in all theaters of combat, delivering large bomb loads over long distances. It had easily recognizable oval-shape endplate fins and rudders, and unique 'roller shutter' doors which retracted within the fuselage when opened for attack, causing less drag than conventional bomb-bay doors which opened into the slipstream. B-24s operating with the US Navy were known as PB4Ys, and those modified as transports were designated C-87s. An experimental gunship (bomber escort) version was designated XB-41. A similar aircraft with a single tail rudder and standard stabilizers was developed as a Navy Patrol bomber, and was designated the PB4Y-2 Privateer. A photographic reconnaissance version was known as the F-7.

There was also a batch known as the "Carpetbaggers" who flew agents in and dropped supplies to agents and resistance people.

Type: Heavy Bomber

Crew: Eight to ten

Armament: Ten .50 cal machine guns up to 12,800 lb.. of bombs

Specifications:

Length: 66' 4" (20.22 m)

Height: 17' 11" (5.46 m)

Wingspan: 110' (33.53 m)

Weight: 56,000 LB

Propulsion:

Engines: 4

Power plant: Pratt & Whitney R-1830

Horsepower: 1200 hp

Performance:

Range: 3200 miles (5152.00 km)

Speed: 303 mph (487.00 km/h)

Ceiling: 28000 ft (8534.00 m)

(Navy PB4Y-2 Privateer)

( Navy PB4Y-1)

(B-24J on a bombing mission)

Click here to see more pictures of the B-24.


	Classic Combat Aircraft \| home Consolidated B-24 Liberator The B-24 Liberator was not only built in considerably greater numbers than the famous B-17 Flying Fortress, but it was the most extensively produced of all of the U.S. wartime aircraft. It served in all theaters of combat, delivering large bomb loads over long distances. It had easily recognizable oval-shape endplate fins and rudders, and unique 'roller shutter' doors which retracted within the fuselage when opened for attack, causing less drag than conventional bomb-bay doors which opened into the slipstream. B-24s operating with the US Navy were known as PB4Ys, and those modified as transports were designated C-87s. An experimental gunship (bomber escort) version was designated XB-41. A similar aircraft with a single tail rudder and standard stabilizers was developed as a Navy Patrol bomber, and was designated the PB4Y-2 Privateer. A photographic reconnaissance version was known as the F-7. There was also a batch known as the "Carpetbaggers" who flew agents in and dropped supplies to agents and resistance people. Type: Heavy Bomber Crew: Eight to ten Armament: Ten .50 cal machine guns up to 12,800 lb.. of bombs Specifications: Length: 66' 4" (20.22 m) Height: 17' 11" (5.46 m) Wingspan: 110' (33.53 m) Weight: 56,000 LB Propulsion: Engines: 4 Power plant: Pratt & Whitney R-1830 Horsepower: 1200 hp Performance: Range: 3200 miles (5152.00 km) Speed: 303 mph (487.00 km/h) Ceiling: 28000 ft (8534.00 m) (Navy PB4Y-2 Privateer) ( Navy PB4Y-1) (B-24J on a bombing mission) Click here to see more pictures of the B-24.