Consolidated B-24 Liberator

(also: C-87, PB4Y)

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SYNOPSIS: 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. A 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.

LONG HISTORY: for a more detailed history of this aircraft, click HERE.

For more data on this aircraft, click here for Joe Baugher's webpage.
USAF archives on this aircraft, click here.
Click here to visit the website for Navy Liberators and Privateers.
For more photos, history, and info on the Navy Liberator, see the PB4Y webpage at vpnavy.com
Additional information on this aircraft can be found at Wikipedia here.
To see books about this aircraft on Amazon.com, click here.
(updated February 2009)
 

Consolidated B-24 Liberator

Type:           Heavy Bomber
Crew:           eight to ten
Armament:       ten .50 cal machine guns
                up to 12,800 lbs. of bombs

D Model Specifications:
        Length:         66' 4" (20.22 m)
        Height:         17' 11" (5.46 m)
        Wingspan:       110' (33.53 m)
        Gross Weight:   56000.0 lb
D Model Propulsion:
        No. of Engines: 4
        Powerplant:     Pratt & Whitney R-1830
        Horsepower:     1200 hp each
D Model Performance:
        Range:          2300 miles w/ 5000 lb. bombload
        Cruise Speed:   175 mph (281.00 km/h)
        Max Speed:      303 mph (487.00 km/h)
        Ceiling:        28000 ft (8534.00 m)

L Model  Specifications:
        Length:         67' 2" (20.50 m)
        Height:         18' 0" (5.50 m)
        Wingspan:       109' 10" (33.50 m)
        Wing area:      1048.51 sq ft (  97.40 sq m)
        Empty Weight:   36410 lb (16550 kg)
        Gross Weight:   64350 lb (29183 kg)
L Model Propulsion:
        No. of Engines: 4
        Powerplant:     Pratt & Whitney Wasp R-1830-65
        Horsepower:     1200 hp each
L Model Performance:
        Cruise Speed:   214.00 mph (346 km/h)
        Max Speed:      299.00 mph (483 km/h)
        Ceiling:        27978.0 ft (8530 m)

CLICK HERE TO SEE BOOKS ON THE B-24 ON AMAZON.COM

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