Consolidated B-24 Liberator

Consolidated B-24 Liberator
	B24's in flight South west Pacific
	B24 being serviced
History
Type	4 engine monoplane
Role	Heavy bomber
Designer	Consolidated Aircraft
Manufacturer	Consolidated Aircraft of San Diego, California
Produced	1940 - 45. 4,600 built by the Ford Motor Company.
Number built	~ 18,188
Primary users	USAAF; USN; RAAF;BOAC (civilian transport);
In service	1941
Out of service	1968 (Indian Air Force)
	v; t; e;

Remarks

Designed to be an upgrade to the Boeing B17, the B-24 was the mainstay of the US strategic bombing campaign in the Western European theater. Due to its range, it proved useful in bombing operations in the Pacific, including the bombing of Japan. Australian aircrew seconded to the Royal Air Force flew Liberators in all theatres of the war, including with RAF Coastal Command, in the Middle East, and with South East Asia Command. Some even flew in South African Air Force squadrons. The first to enter service with the RAF did so in late 1941, with the first to be used in the Middle AEast arriving there in early 1942.

287 Liberators saw service with the RAAF in seven squadrons, and 2 special duty flights. 33 of these aircraft were lost due to enemy action or accidents with 200 Australian killed. At the conclusion of the war they performed a vital role ferrying released POWs back to Australia from Manila, and servicemen from Labuan. They remained in service with the RAAF until 1948 when they were replaced by Avro Lincolns.

Due to its shape it earned the nickname "Flying Boxcar". Some variants, used for maritime patrol carried reduced defensive capacity and some transport versions, none at all.

General characteristics

Crew: Eleven: Pilot, co-pilot, navigator, bombardier, radio operator, nose turret, top turret, 2 x waist gunners, ball turret, tail gunner.
Length: 20.47 m
Wingspan: 34 m
Height: 5.37 m
Empty weight: 16,556 kg
Max takeoff weight: 24, 948 kg
Powerplant: 4 x Prat & Whitney Twin Wasp 14 cylinder air cooled radial piston engines. 1,200 hp each
Maximum speed: 478 km/h
Range: 2,480 km
Service ceiling: 8,500 m
Armament
Guns: 10 x .50 caliber M2 Browning machine guns in 4 turrets and 2 waist positions
Bombs: 1,200kg to 3,600 kg depending on range.