The B-24 Liberator bomber was one of the most famous American built aircraft of World War II. A design of the Consolidated Aircraft Corporation of San Diego, California. It first flew in prototype form on the 29^th of December, 1939. This aircraft resulted from a USAAC 1935 specification for a four engined heavy bomber capable of 300 mph, a 3,000 mile range and a maximum payload or 8,000 lbs of bombs.

This aircraft design was notable for a number of features including the tricycle landing gear which helped shorten the take-off run, the roll-up bomb bay doors to eliminate drag but most of all the Davis wing. This wing design was aerodynamically very advanced and efficient, allowing a heavy payload to be carried farther and faster than was the norm of the era.

The first version to be mass produced for the USAAF was the B-24-D. Eventually 2,728 would be built or assembled by three factories under this designation. The first D was built in January 1942 and production continued to late 1943. Late production B-24Ds had a ball turret underneath the fuselaage for added protection. One of the most distinctive features of all early B-24 models was the 'glasshouse' nose. This gave excellent visibility for the navigator and bombardier, but the armament was weak at the front and so the aircraft was vulnerable to head-on fighter attack. Later models were given a powered turret in this position.

The B-24 was an extremely versatile aircraft and carried out many roles during the war, not just it's designed mission as a heavy bomber. It was used for anti-submarine and anti-shipping work with great success, as a long-range transport, for photographic and weather reconnaissance, supply dropping, minelaying, radio countermeasures and many more varied roles.

The grand total of 19,256 Liberators of all variants built between 1939-1945 made it the most numerous American warplane of World War II and thus testifies to it's success.

Return to listing of incidents 'click' on this button.