Development
Rather a equally successful North American P-51 Mustang, the Liberator was designed around a great hurry. Inside 1939 January, the United States Army Air Corps invited Consolidated to submit a project learn for a bomber by using greater range, higher speed, & greater altitude performance than the B-17 Flying Fortress, then a backbone of the Army Air Corps.

a contract for a paradigm was awarded within March, requiring that it become quick prior to the prevent of the month. A project was elementary around conception however advanced for its instance. At 70,547 pound (32,000 kilogram) maximal takeoff weight it was one of a big aircraft of the instance. It was a 1st U.s. bomber to utilise tricycle landing gear instead of the tailwheel, & it featured super yearn, thinly wings & a twin tail layout. Such the project experienced the high aspect ratio, for maximum fuel efficiency.

In comparison a B-17, the B-2 dozen was shorter, got 25% less wing front yard, however the Sextet foot (Unity.Viii m) greater wingspan, and substantially greater carrying capacity. In which a B-17 utilized 9-cylinder Wright R-1820 Cyclone engines, the B-2 dozen utilized twin-row 14-cylinder Pratt & Whitney R-1830 Twin Wasp radials. Each one engines were Eighter from decatur The states gaFifty (Thirty L) air-cooled radial engines of 1000 horsepower (746 kW). Consolidated finished a epitome, by so called a XB-Two dozen, & got it quick for its 1st flight using merely deuce years to spare prior to a prevent of 1939. Seven extra YB-Two dozen development aircraft flew inside 1940 and Consolidated began preparing production tooling. Early orders - set possibly prior to a XB-Two dozen got flown, involved 36 for the United States Army Air Corps, 120 for the French Armée de l'Air, and 164 for the RAF. Virtually all of the foremost production Liberators attend Britain, including alfifty victims originally ordered per Armée delaware l'Air fallowing France collapsed in 1940.

Operational history
Initial deployment
Initial Liberator deployment around 1941 March was with British Overseas Airways Corporation on trans-Atlantic transport duties. Presently fallowing, equipped sustaining primitive however functional ASV Mark II microwave radar, it entered active service by owning RAF Coastal Command where its long range processed it indispensable for anti-submarine patrols in the Battle of the Atlantic.

Late inside 1941, a number 1 Liberator IIs entered service. This model introduced a survivability features that were necessary whenever a Liberator was to require higher its project role as a bomber: self-sealing fuel tanks and powered defensive gun turrets. At a equivalent period, Consolidated added a Ii foot Septet within (790 millimeter) plug in the send on fuselage to produce supplementary space for crewman & likewise (these are said) to produce the plane look better. Liberator IIs were split between RAF Coastal Command, RAF Bomber Command and British Overseas Airways Corporation. 2 RAF squadrons deployed to the Middle East inside 1942 became a foremost to apply the Liberator as a bomber.

At a equivalent instance, a United States Army Air Force began to take delivery of its number one B-24As. Rather a British, it utilized the two when transports in the first place. Continued development act by Consolidated produced a handful of transitional B-24Cs by using turbocharged engines, instead of mechanically supercharged engines; the turbocharged engines led to the planate elliptic nacelles that would distinguish entirely subsequent Liberator system).

A 1st mass-produced model, a B-24D (or even Liberator III inside British service) was introduced around early 1943; it had turbocharged engines & increased fuel capacity. 3 further Cypher.L caliber (Dozen.Seven millimetre) M2 machine guns brought the defensive armament as much as decade guns. At 59,524 pound (27,000 kilo) uttermost require-off weight, it was one of a heavily aircraft in a globe; simply the British Lancaster and Halifax bombers were of comparable mass.

America enters the war
American B-24s first entered combat within 1942 June by owning the raid launched from either Egypt. Xiii aircraft flew against a German-occupied Romanian oilfields of Ploesti. A attack wwhen described as "unsuccessful" per Army, however it alerted a defenders. Once 177 B-24s attacked Ploesti once more in 1942 August 1, 54 failed to return.

Liberator production increased at an astonishing rate across 1942 & 1943: Consolidated got tripled a size of their plant at San Diego and built a large freshly plant outside Fort Worth, Texas. Further production come from either Douglas in Tulsa, Oklahoma. North American was building a plant at Dallas, Texas. None one were minor operations, however it were dwarfed per huge fresh greenfield factory built by Ford at Willow Run near Detroit, which began operation in 1942 August. This was easy a big mill in a United States, & a big anywhere outside the USSR.

Around 1942 April, a C-87 Liberator Express transport version of the Liberator entered production at Fort Worth. It experienced the big consignment door, there are no gun enclosure, the floor in the bomb bay for freight, & side windows. When a season went by, Liberator squadrons deployed to completely theaters: Africa, Europe, the Atlantic, India and the Pacific. In a Pacific, a B-Two dozen was intended a standard heavily bomber to simplify logistics, replacing the shorter-range B-17, which experienced non distinguished itself against Japan.

Within 1943, a model of Liberator considered by several a 'definitive' version was introduced. It was Ten inches (Cipher.Xxv m) hanker, got the powered gun enclosure in the nose to reduce vulnerability to head-in attack, & was fitted sustaining an improved bomb sight, autopilot & fuel transport rules. Northward U.s. manufactured a B-24G at Dallas, when people from either a Consolidated, Douglas, & Ford manufactory were intended a B-24H. Totally 5 plants switched on top to the well-nigh monovular B-24J within 1943 August. A in the future B-24L & B-24M were mass produced to reduce weight, & differed primarily in the kinda defensive implements of war it carried.

When a war went in, a complexness of servicing a B-2 dozen grew greater & greater. Since B-24s were manufactured by the total of different corporations, repair depots experienced to keep the big index of numbers of rather area to supply in B-2 dozen variants. Luckily, in the Summer of 1944, this problem was eased a bit, while triad plants stopped making B-24s, allowing single a Consolidated plant withwithin San Diego & a Ford plant in Willow Start.

18,482 Liberators were completed prior to production ceased around 1945. Additionally to the hundreds to thousands (at most, 6043) that saw service using the U.S. Army, the Royal Air Force flew about 2100 aircraft in 46 bomber groups and 41 squadrons, the Royal Canadian Air Force 1200 B-24Js, the U.S. Navy about 1000 PB4Y-1s (and almost 800 PB4Y-2 Privateers, which were derived from the Liberator), and the Royal Australian Air Force 287 B-24Js, B-24Ls, and B-24Ms. 2 squadrons of the South African Air Force, deployed in the Mediterranean Theatre, flew B-24s.

Primary roles
Maritime Patrol
the Liberator manufactured a massive contribution to the Battle of the Atlantic. A guide to allocate early-built Liberators while forgoing to the full defensive armament or even self-sealing tanks to Coastal Command produced results immediately. A Super Long Range (VLR) Liberator closed a vital Atlantic Gap and was a sole aircraft by owning the range to launder sol. A VLR sacrificed a bit of armour & typically turrets for weight when adding additional fuel around bomb overmuch tanks. Radiolocation & a Leigh light gave them a ability to hunt U-boats by every day. It were operated from either either two sides of a Atlantic by having a RCAF to a West & the RAF from the UK & Iceland. Yet it remained vulnerable to attack, especially after U-boats adopted a policy of staying a surface to fight. Royal New Zealand Air Force pilot Lloyd Allan Trigg was awarded a posthumous Victoria Cross following such a duel, which resulted in the loss of his Liberator using tons in board & U-468 using tons bar Sevener of it's crew. Late system were additional capable of surviving trips all over occupied Europe or duels with Axis fighters but, because of the more weight allocated to their defense, it got the shorter range. Nothing was done to improve or even replenish a patrol aircraft until quite late in a war once the U-boat threat was waning. For xii months, No. 120 Squadron RAF of Coastal Command, with its handful of much patched and modified early model Liberators, supplied the only air cover for convoys in the Atlantic Gap, even while shipments of B-24s to bomber, transport, and ordinary long-range maritime squadrons doubled and redoubled. A sudden & decisive turning of a Battle of the Atlantic within the Allies favor in 1943 Will was the symptom of numbers of factors. Even so, it was there are no accident that it coincided by having a yearn delayed arrival of extra VLR Liberators for marine patrol. Liberators were credited fully or even spare 72 U-boat kills. Additionally to super yearn range patrols, the B-Two dozen was vital for patrols of a patrol radius to a lesser degree 1,000 mile (1,609 kilometre), within two the Atlantic & Pacific, in which B-24s & PB4Y-1s took a heavily toll of Japanese transport.

Daylight bombing

Transport
Early exemplary Liberators were successful when unarmed long-range consignment carriers. It flew between Britain and Egypt with an extensive detour about Spain, across a Atlantic, & in the evacuation of Java. This profits led to a development of dedicated shipping system, known multifariously when the C-87 Liberator Express, RY-Two or even Liberator Cargo VII. A U.S. sole manufactured astir 300 transports (when likened sustaining above 18,000 more types) however it were nonetheless a backbone of the Army Air Force’s heavily transfer operation. A Army Air Inflict as well converted 218 B-24Ds & B24-Es into C-109 tankers. These tankers were utilized altogether theaters however it were particularly utilized to fly fuel from either India over the Himalayas to supply B-29 bases in China. By owning 100% armour & military devices flushed to save weight, the C-109 may carry nigh 2905 gal (11,000 L) of fuel—over 22,000 pound (10,000 kilogram). Additionally, an unknown however big total of unmodified B-24s were pressed into shipping duties in an ad hoc basis.

Variants/design stages
[http://www.wpafb.af.mil/museum/research/bombers/b2-32.htm XB-24]—(Consolidated Model 32). Intentional within 1938 as an improvement on the B-17 Flying Fortress, at the asking of the Army Air Corps. It featured the wing specially designed for the high aspect ratio, tricycle landing gear, and twin vertical stabilisers. It was ordered inside 1939 March, & 1st flew in 1939 December 29. (×Ace) [http://www.wpafb.af.mil/museum/research/bombers/b2-33.htm B-24] - Service trial versiin of the XB-Two dozen, regulated on 1939 April 27, less than thirty years when a XB-Two dozen was ordered, prior to a XB-Two dozen project was possibly complete. The total of minor modifications were manufactured: elimination of leading edge slots, addition of de-icing boots. (×Seven; l1 one utilized for actual researching) [http://www.wpafb.af.mil/museum/research/bombers/b2-35.htm B-24A] - Regulated around 1939, a B-24A was a foremost production model. Due to a tight want for heavily bombers, the B-24A was ordered prior to any version of the B-Two dozen actually flew. A independent improvement on top a XB-Two dozen was improved aeromechanics, which led to better performance. (×38: ×20 LB-30A, ×Ennead B-24C) [http://www.wpafb.af.mil/museum/research/bombers/b2-36.htm XB-24B] - Whilst a XB-Two dozen failed to email its projected top speed, a Pratt & Whitney R-1830-33 radials rated at 1,000 hp (746 kW) it carried were replaced with R-1830-41 turbo-supercharged radials rated at 1,200 hp (895 kW), increasing its top speed by 37 mph (59 km/h). A addition of a turbo-superchargers processed the engine bonnet ovoid. A XB-24B version likewise lacked a engine slots of the original. (×I converted XB-Two dozen) [http://www.wpafb.af.mil/museum/research/bombers/b2-37.htm B-24C] - Conversion of the B-24A applying turbo-supercharged R-1830-41 engines. To hang on to a supercharger & a intercooler intake, a hood were processed ovoid & a newly things added unofficially. A hindquarters gunner position was improved by adding an Emerson A-6 power turret by owning twin .50-caliber (Twelve.Septet millimeter) machine guns; a Martin power turret was added to the forward fuselage. (×Nina from carolina converted B-24A) [http://www.wpafb.af.mil/museum/research/bombers/b2-38.htm B-24D] - 1st model produced in the big shell; regulated from either 1940 to 1942, as a B-24C using better engines (R-1830-43 supercharged engines). In the period of a production begin, the burrow gun in the stomach was replaced by a remote-sited Bendix belly turret; this was later replaced by the Sperry ball turret. Within late B-24Ds, 'cheek' guns were added. (×2696: 2381 Consolidated, San Diego; 305 Consolidated, Fort Worth, 10 Douglas, Tulsa, Oklahoma) [http://www.wpafb.af.mil/museum/research/bombers/b2-41.htm B-24E] - The cold-shoulder alteration of the B-24D built by Ford, using R-1830-65 engines. Unlike a B-24D, a B-24E retained a burrow gun in the stomach. Every now and again the Martin top turret was removed and a Bendix chin turret added. Ford likewise built sub-assemblies for Douglas; these subassemblies were identical to Ford-built B-24Es, except that it utilized a equivalent engines when a B-24D (R-1830-43 radial-ply tire). (×801) [http://www.wpafb.af.mil/museum/research/bombers/b2-42.htm XB-24F] - The image processed to line 2 text thermal de-defroster, instead of the standard inflatable no-good 'boots'. (×Ace converted B-24D) [http://www.wpafb.af.mil/museum/research/bombers/b2-43.htm B-24G] - Sperry ball turret, three .50-calibre (Dozen.Heptad millimetre) machine guns in nose. Altogether B-24Gs were built by North American Aviation, which was contracted in 1942. (×Twenty-five) B-24G-One - Modified Emerson The-6 fanny turret around nose instead of Two-Three .L caliber (Twelve.Heptad millimeter) machine guns around earliest system. A B-24G-One was according to a project of the B-24H (×405) [http://www.wpafb.af.mil/museum/research/bombers/b2-44.htm B-24H] - Because of conspicuous vulnerability of the B-Two dozen to head-in attack, the B-24H project manufactured by Ford utilized the nose turret, usually The limited Emerson A-6 rump turret. the entire aircraft was redesigned to better healthy a turret; Fifty airframe changes were processed, including a redesigned bombardier compartment. a rump turret tend big windows for better visibility, a top turret a higher bubble, & the waist machine gunner positions were offset, to reduce their interference in the period of battle. (×3100) [http://www.wpafb.af.mil/museum/research/bombers/b2-45.htm B-24J] - A B-24J was super similar to a B-24H, although the defensive improvements processed in the B-24H were non incorporated in the B-24J. the B-24J featured an improved autopilot (nature & severity C-One) and a bombsight of the M-One series. B-24H subassemblies processed by Ford & constructed by more corporations, & any model using the C-One or even M-One retrofit, were tons intended B-24Js. (×6678) [http://www.wpafb.af.mil/museum/research/bombers/b2-47.htm XB-24K] - An experimental aircraft, processed by Ford by splicing a B-23 Dragon tail empennage onto the B-24D airframe. A plane was further stable & experienced better treating than more system, however changing a B-2 dozen project was as well expensive to wash at a instance. Yet, a XB-24K was a antecedent of the Navy's PB4Y-One. (×Single converted B-24D) [http://www.wpafb.af.mil/museum/research/bombers/b2-48.htm B-24L] - Because of the vast weight of the B-24J, the Army pushed for a lightly version. In the B-24L, the ball turret was replaced by a floor ring mount sustaining ii .L calibre (Dozen.Septet millimeter) machine guns, & The A-6B derriere turret by an M-6A. Around afterwards planes, there is no after part armament was installed, & once it arrived to its field either an The-6B, an M-6the, or even a dual-mount manual .50-caliber (Twelve.Sevener millimeter) gun was installed. (×1667) [http://www.wpafb.af.mil/museum/research/bombers/b2-49.htm B-24M] - An sweetening of the B-24L by having farther weight-saving gear. a B-24M utilized The supplementary lightweight version of the A-6B hindquarters turret; the waist machine gunner positions were left open. For better visibility, the windscreen was replaced by a ‘knife-edge’ dual pane versions. a B-24M became a survive production model of a B-Two dozen; a total of a planes built flew merely the course between the mill & the discarded heap. (×2593) [http://www.wpafb.af.mil/museum/research/bombers/b2-50.htm XB-24N] - The redesign of the B-24J, mass produced to accommodate one rear. It too featured improved nose & backside turrets. When 5168 B-24Ns were ordered, Globe War II ended & there was there is no protracted any want for the babies. (×Ace) [http://www.wpafb.af.mil/museum/research/bombers/b2-51.htm YB-24N] - Pre-production service line 2 text version of the XB-24N. (×Seven) [http://www.wpafb.af.mil/museum/research/bombers/b2-52.htm XB-24P] - The limited B-24D, manufactured by Sperry Gyroscope Company to test airborne fire control systems. (×Unity converted B-24D) [http://www.wpafb.af.mil/museum/research/bombers/b2-53.htm XB-24Q] - The General Electric conversion of the B-24L, using radar-controlled hind end turrets. (×One converted B-24L). [http://www.wpafb.af.mil/museum/research/bombers/b3-90.htm XB-41] - Because there were there are no fighters capable of escorting bomber formations around deep strike missions early in W.W.Two, a Army authorised tests for heavy armed bombers to work when escorts for bombing missions. It was completed around 1942. A final result of 1943 touching were super blackball & a design was quickly cancelled. Performance changed drastically sustaining a addition of additional turrets. Too, a escorts were unable to keep higher sustaining bomber formations another time a bombs experienced been dropped.
A XB-41 got 14 .50-calibre (Dozen.Sevener millimeter) machine guns, through the addition of the Bendix chin turret & a dorsal Martin power turret on the mid-fuselage. (×One converted B-24D) [http://www.wpafb.af.mil/museum/research/bombers/b2-34.htm LB-30] - Version of the B-Two dozen sent to Britain. (LB- = 'Liberator British'): LB-30A - YB-Two dozen (×Captain hicks) LB-30B (Liberator Mark I personally) - B-24A (×Twenty), utilized around British Coastal Patrol & Defense Squadron Liberator Mark II - Improved LB-30 (×165) Liberator Mark III - B-24D (×156) Liberator Mark IV-IX - Improved versions, total built varies based in source of information

Units using the Liberator
United States Army Air Force

Fifth Air Force Eighth Air Force Thirteenth Air Force Fifteenth Air Force

Our contries Senator & presidential candidate George McGovern served when a B-Two dozen pilot within missions across Italy as section of this class action; his wartime effort & a few of a characteristics of the B-24 come at the center of Stephen Ambrose's book The Wild Blue.

United States Navy

Royal Air Force
No. 120 Squadron RAF No. 233 Squadron RAF

Royal Australian Air Force
Squadrons No. 12 Squadron RAAF No. 21 Squadron RAAF No. 23 Squadron RAAF No. 24 Squadron RAAF (see [http://www.defence.gov.au/raaf/organisation/info_on/units/24_sqn/history.htm]) No. 25 Squadron RAAF No. 99 Squadron RAAF No. 102 Squadrons RAAF Independent flights 200 Flight 210 Flight

Royal Canadian Air Force

Specifications (B-24J)
General characteristics
Crew: 7-10 Length: 67 foot Octet around (Twenty.Vi m) Wingspread: 11Nought foot 0 within (33.V m) Height: Xviii foot Zero around (Fin.Quintet m) Wing region: 1,048 foot² (97.Quaternity m²) Empty: 52,200 pound (23,700 kilo) Loaded: 55,000 pound (25,000 kilogram) Maximal takeoff: 65,000 pound (29,500 kilogram) Powerplant: Quaternity× Pratt & Whitney R-1830 turbo-supercharged radials, 1,200 hp (900 kW)

Performance
Maximal speed: 290 mph (470 kph) Cruising speed: 215 mph (346 kilometers per hour) Range: 2,100 miles (3,400 kilometre) Ferry range: 3,700 miles (6,000 kilometre) Combat ceiling: 28,000 foot (8,500 m) Rate of climb: 1,025 ft/min (312 m/min) Wing loading: 52.Phoebe lb/ft² (256 kg/m²) Power/mass: .0873 hp/lb Gross W/kg

Armament
Decade× .L calibre (Dozen.Heptad millimeter) M2 machine guns 12,800 pound (5,800 kg) of bombs