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Consolidated PB4Y-2 Privateer
(Variants/Other Names: P4Y
Tanker Nº 126, operated by Hawkins and Powers Aviation, Greybull, Wyoming, USA
The PB4Y-1 that collided with Scellig Mhiceíl and crashed into the sea nearby would have had a double tail like its 'ancestor' the B-24 'Liberator' |
History:During World War II, the B-24 derived PB4Y-1 Liberator (originally desighed for the US Army Air Corps) had performed very well for the US Navy as a maritime patrol plane, but in 1943 it was decided to 'navalise' the aircraft as a dedicated long range patrol bomber. Three B-24s were taken off the assemby line and reconfigured with lengthened fuselages, greater defensive armament, modified engine cowlings and a distinctive, single vertical tail. The resulting aircraft was designated the PB4Y-2 Privateer. It had a 2,800 mile range and was so useful that the Navy took delivery of 739 of them, though few reached front line service by VJ-Day.
The Privateer went on to perform great service in the Cold War as a radar and electronics counter measure platform, having been renamed the P4Y in 1951. Following service with the US Coast Guard, the aircraft was retired in the early 1960s, although a small number were used as fire-bombers in the US until 2002.
Privateers flying "Firefly" missions in Korea, dropping parachute flares, were called "Lamp Lighters"
| Specifications | PB4Y-2 |
| Wingspan | 110ft. 0in. |
| Height | 30ft. 1in.. |
| Length | 74ft. 7in. |
| Weight (empty) | 27,485 lbs. |
| Weight (combat) | 65,000 lbs. |
| Powerplants | Four 1,350-hp Pratt & Whitney R-1830-94 Twin Wasp radial engines. |
| Maximum Speed | 237 mph |
| Range | 2,800 miles |
| Crew | 11 |
| Armament | 12 12.7mm (0.5in.) machine guns |
| Number Built | 739 |
| Number Still Airworthy | 5+ |
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