The tail gunner's powered twin-gun turret was located at the end of the tail, behind the tailplane. Due to its range, it proved useful in bombing operations in the Pacific, including the bombing of Japan. This gave the B-24 a 35-percent higher wing loading. All Rights Reserved. It could manage an altitude of no more than 25,000ft (7600m), three or four thousand feet less than a B-17, but it flew 10-15mph (16-24 km/h) faster. 29th Apr 2007, 21:34. In April 1939, the USAAC initially ordered seven YB-24 under CAC contract # 12464. Liberators assigned to the RAF's Coastal Command in 1941, offensively to patrol against submarines in the eastern Atlantic Ocean, produced immediate results. This was a major component of the USSTAF and took a major role in strategic bombing. Consolidated, Douglas and Ford all manufactured the B-24H, while North American made the slightly different B-24G. The maximum take-off weight was slightly raised to 64,250 pounds, the maximum altitude lifted from 21,200 to 24,000 feet but the maximum speed was reduced to 263mph, largely as a result of increased drag.[9]. The specification was written such that the Model 32 would automatically be the winning design. ", https://web.archive.org/web/20090304014706/http://home.att.net/~jbaugher2/b24_27.html, "Indian Ocean New Guinea Kangaroo Service 19501946. The defensive armament of the B-24 varied from transport variants, which were usually unarmed, to bombers armed with up to ten .50 caliber (12.7mm) M2 Browning machine guns located in turrets and waist gun positions. While aircrews tended to prefer the B-17, General Staff favored the B-24 and procured it in huge numbers for a wide variety of roles. B-17 wing . The Liberators which had served early in the war in the Pacific continued the efforts from the Philippines, Australia, Espiritu Santo, Guadalcanal, Hawaii, and Midway Island. The single fin was tested by Ford on a single B-24ST variant and an experimental XB-24K: it was found to improve handling. (1978). The B-24 was a faster plane having a greater range and payload capacity. As built, the XB-24 top speed was only 273mph instead of the specified 311mph. Engines: Four Wright "Cyclone" R-1820s of 1,200 hp. They also flew C-47s, Douglas A-26 Invaders, and British de Havilland Mosquitos. The Double Sunrise route across the Indian Ocean was 3,513mi (5,654km) long, the longest non-stop airline route in the world at the time. Early versions proved to be more vulnerable to fighter attack than anticipated, but, by the time the B-17E version began to go into service shortly before the United States entered the war in 1941, the plane was equipped with turrets in the upper fuselage, belly, and tail. (Later versions were fitted with a powered twin-.50 caliber (12.7mm) M2 Browning machine gun nose turret.) They were equipped with signal lighting, provision for quantity discharge of pyrotechnics, and were painted with distinctive group-specific high-contrast patterns of stripes, checkers or polka dots to enable easy recognition by their flock of bombers. The Singing Cowboy Gene Autry served in the Air Transport Command (in the same squadron as Barry Goldwater), and described flying the C-109 over "The Hump" as "the thrill that lasts a lifetime".[38]. One outcome of the British and French purchasing commissions was a backlog of orders amounting to $680m, of which $400m was foreign orders, US official statistics indicating tooling, plant and expansion advanced the previously anticipated volume of US aircraft production by up to a year. Consolidated finished the prototype and had it ready for its first flight two days before the end of 1939. At its inception, the B-24 was a modern design featuring a highly efficient shoulder-mounted, high aspect ratio Davis wing. The ball turret was required to be retractable for ground clearance when preparing to land as well as for greater aerodynamic efficiency. The C-109 was a dedicated fuel transport version of the B-24 conceived as a support aircraft for Boeing B-29 Superfortress operations in central China. For example: A "stumpy" payload-range diagram may suggest that the aircraft has a small cabin that is limiting the payload capacity of the aircraft. Other C-87 designations were the U.S. Navy designation RY and Lend Lease Liberator Cargo VII. machine guns with normal bomb load of 6,000 lbs. In the period between 7 November 1942 and 8 March 1943, the 44th Bomb Group lost 13 of its original 27 B-24s. Due to deferments of the US requirements, the US purchase was twice postponed, and the serial numbers were changed to 40696 to 40-702. Early versions were fitted with a single .50 caliber (12.7mm) Browning machine gun in their tails, and a XC-87B version proposed two .50 caliber (12.7mm) fixed machine guns for the nose, operable by the pilot, though these were eventually removed. In late June 1943, the three B-24 Liberator groups of the 8th Air Force were sent to North Africa on temporary duty with the 9th Air Force:[13] the 44th Bomb Group joined the 93rd and the 389th Bomb Groups. Wind tunnel testing and experimental programs using an existing Consolidated Model 31 provided extensive data on the flight characteristics of the Davis airfoil. This model introduced self-sealing fuel tanks, a 2ft 7in (79cm) plug in the forward fuselage to create more space for crew members and, more vitally, ever more equipment such as ASV Mark II radar (anticipated early in the Liberator's development when Reuben Fleet told the engineering team he had a gut feeling the nose was too short). [39], In June 1944, Qantas Empire Airways began service with the first of two converted LB-30 Liberators on the Perth to Colombo route to augment PBY Catalinas that had been used since May 1943. The Norden consisted of a gyroscopically stabilized telescopic sight coupled to an electromechanical computer into which the bombardier fed inputs for altitude, atmospheric conditions, air speed, ground speed, and drift. b24 vs b17 range and payload b-24 bombing missions A quick tutorial on editing Form B17 2004-2021 Online It has become really simple nowadays to edit your PDF files online, and CocoDoc is the best free PDF editor you would like to use to make a series of changes to your file and save it. A B-24 could reach 290 miles per hour and carry a 5,000-pound bomb load for 1,700 miles, giving it a longer range, greater speed, and a bigger payload than its B-17 cousin." No other American combat aircraft in history was produced on a larger scale. The blazing wreckage landed just outside Bad Zwischenahn airfield. Following incidents when flare guns were accidentally discharged inside the rear fuselage, some assembly (formation) ships had pyrotechnic guns fixed through the fuselage sides. The Liberators were later replaced by Avro Lancastrians. The B-24 featured a tricycle undercarriage, the first American bomber to do so,[9] with the main gear extending out of the wing on long, single-oleo strut legs. The design was simple in concept but, nevertheless, advanced for its time. The 44th Bombardment Group was one of the first two heavy bombardment groups flying the B-24 with the 8th Air Force in the fall/winter air campaigns in the European Theater of Operations. [40], Two squadrons of the South African Air Force (SAAF) also flew B-24s: 31 and 34 Squadrons under No 2 Wing SAAF based at Foggia, Italy. Follow our simple tutorial and start! All five plants switched over to the almost identical B-24J in August 1943. Your selected aircraft are compared in side-by-side arrangement below. So vital was the need for long-range operations, that at first USAAF used the type as transports. WAR DEPARTMENT AIR CORPS, MATERIEL DIVISION November 22, 1941. Thus naval patrol often omitted top, belly and nose turrets. Both BOAC and the RAF used converted Liberator IIs as unarmed long-range cargo carriers. These type of doors created a minimum of aerodynamic drag to keep speed high over the target area; they also allowed the bomb bays to be opened while on the ground since the low ground clearance prevented the use of normal bomb bay doors. A total of 287 B-24D, B-24J, B-24L and B-24M aircraft were supplied to the RAAF, of which 33 were lost in action or accidents, with more than 200 Australians killed. In comparison with its contemporaries, the B-24 was relatively difficult to fly and had poor low-speed performance; it also had a lower ceiling and was less robust than the Boeing B-17 Flying Fortress. The B-24 advanced the use of electronic warfare and equipped Search Bomber (SB), Low Altitude (LAB) and Radar Counter Measure (RCM) squadrons in addition to high-altitude bombing. 3. Additionally, the Liberator equipped a number of independent squadrons in a variety of special combat roles. After it was discovered that these problems could be alleviated by flying with the forward storage tank empty, this practice became fairly routine, enhancing aircrew safety at the cost of some fuel-carrying capacity. The B-17 had excellent flight characteristics and, unlike the B-24, was almost universally well regarded by those who flew it. [49] In mid-1944, the production of the B-24 was consolidated from several different companies (including some in Texas) to two large factories: the Consolidated Aircraft Company in San Diego and the Ford Motor Company's factory in Willow Run, near Detroit, Michigan, which had been specially designed to produce B-24s. The B-24N was intended as a major production variant featuring a single tail. The Consolidated Aircraft Company PB4Y-2 Privateer was a U.S. Navy patrol bomber that was derived directly from the B-24 Liberator. By mid 1943 this was being pushed to 60,000lbs and eventually on to 64,000lbs. The first USAAF Liberators to carry out combat missions were 12 repossessed LB-30s deployed to Java with the 11th Bombardment Squadron (7th Bombardment Group) that flew their first combat mission in mid-January. [29] The B-24 came to dominate the heavy bombardment role in the Pacific because compared to the B-17, the B-24 was faster, had longer range, and could carry a ton more bombs.[30]. Consolidated B-24 Liberator Boeing B-17 Flying Fortress Speed (kph) 467 462 RANGE 2,001 miles (3,220 km) [Diff.0 miles] RANGE 2,001 miles (3,220 km) [Diff.0 miles] Consolidated B-24 Liberator Boeing B-17 Flying Fortress Range (km) 3,220 3,220 CEILING 28,002 ft (8,535 m) [Diff.-7,595 feet] CEILING 35,597 ft (10,850 m) [Diff.+7,595 feet] [citation needed], Late in the war RAF Liberator aircraft modified in England for use in South East Asia had the suffix "Snake" stenciled below the serial number to give them priority delivery through the Mediterranean and the Middle East. However, whereas a combat-loaded B-24 could safely take off with room to spare from a 6,000ft (1,800m) runway, a loaded C-109 required every foot of such a runway to break ground, and crashes on takeoff were not uncommon. Crews flew with the bomb bay doors slightly open to dissipate potentially explosive fumes. B-17s couldn't carry as heavy a payload as the B-24, nor fly as far or as fast. The name "Liberator" was originally given to it by the RAF, and subsequently adopted by the USAAF as the official name for the Model 24. We do not sell any of the items showcased on this site. . The success of the Mosquito as a pathfinder or tactical bomber is without challenge. A heavily loaded B-24 was difficult to fly at speeds of less than 160mph (260 km/h). In total, a stunning 18,482 B-24s were produced to wage war against the Axis powers. It was operated by a crew of 10, including the pilot, copilot, navigator-radioman, bombardier, and gunners. At 59,524 pounds (27,000kg)[dubious discuss] (29.76 short tons) maximum takeoff weight, it was one of the heaviest aircraft in the world; comparable with the British "heavies", with fully loaded weights of 30 short tons for (and nearly identical to) the Stirling, the 34 short ton Lancaster and the 27 short ton Halifax. The C-87A was a dedicated VIP series built in small quantity. ". The aircraft used in the first allocation were B-24Ds retired by the 44th, 93rd and 389th Groups. Learn how and when to remove this template message, British and French purchasing commissions, South West Pacific theatre of World War II, Watch video of B-24 production and testing, List of Consolidated B-24 Liberator operators, List of surviving Consolidated B-24 Liberators, National Museum of the Mighty Eighth Air Force, National Museum of the United States Air Force, Accidents and incidents involving the Consolidated B-24 Liberator, Unbroken: A World War II Story of Survival, Resilience, and Redemption, "The Boeing B-17 Flying Fortress vs. the Consolidated B-24 Liberator", "A Brief History of the 44th Bomb Group. You can always go back and, Four-Engined Strategic Heavy Bomber Aircraft. Encyclopaedia Britannica's editors oversee subject areas in which they have extensive knowledge, whether from years of experience gained by working on that content or via study for an advanced degree. The new design would be the first American heavy bomber in production to use tricycle landing gear the North American B-25 Mitchell medium bomber's predecessor, the NA-40 introduced this feature in January 1939 with the Consolidated Model 32 having long, thin wings with the efficient "Davis" high aspect ratio design (also used on the projected Model 31 twin-engined commercial flying boat)[17] promising to provide maximum fuel efficiency. [24][25], For 12 months, No. It was used on penetration missions in RAF bomber streams at night in Luftwaffe markings. They write new content and verify and edit content received from contributors. Whereas the B-17 used 9-cylinder Wright R-1820 Cyclone engines, the Consolidated design used twin-row, 14-cylinder Pratt & Whitney R-1830 "Twin Wasp" radials of 1,000hp (750kW). Books repeated highlight the fact that the Mosquito bomb load over long distance was equal to a B17 (approx 4,000lbs). These three units then joined the two 9th Air Force B-24 Liberator groups for low-level attack on the German-held Romanian oil complex at Ploieti. The Lib had a larger bomb bay and a somewhat longer range. [28] The B-24 was vital for missions of a radius less than 1,000mi (1,600km), in both the Atlantic and Pacific theaters where U.S. Navy PB4Y-1s and USAAF SB-24s took a heavy toll of enemy submarines and surface combatants and shipping. [56], Data from Quest for Performance,[57] Jane's Fighting aircraft of World War II,[58] General Dynamics aircraft and their predecessors[59], Aircraft of comparable role, configuration, and era. Aircraft had the ability to undertake surprise air attacks against surfaced submarines. [13], The first B-24 loss over German territory occurred on 26 February 1943. The United States Army Air Forces (USAAF) took delivery of its first B-24As in mid-1941. Post was the only reporter assigned to a B-24-equipped group, the 44th Bomb Group. The XB-24 was then re-designated XB-24Bthese changes became standard on all B-24s built starting with the B-24C model. As soon as more dependable Douglas C-54 Skymaster and Curtiss-Wright C-46 Commando transports became available in large numbers, C-87s were rapidly phased out of combat zone service, with some later used as VIP transports or B-24 flight crew trainers. Online by mid-1943, the new plant produced hundreds of B-24 Liberator bombers. Post and all but two of the 11 men aboard were killed. Compared to the B-17, it had a 6 feet (1.8 m) larger wingspan but a lower wing area. Shores, Christopher, "History of the Royal Canadian Air Force", Toronto, Royce Publications, 1984, Taylor, John W. R. "Consolidated B-24/PB4 Y Liberator. Material presented throughout this website is for historical and entertainment value only and should not to be construed as usable for hardware restoration, maintenance, or general operation. However, all Liberators were produced with twin oval fins, with the exception of eight preproduction B-24N aircraft. Helicopter widths include main rotor diameter. B-24s leaked fuel. Approximately 18,500 B-24s were produced across a number of versions, including over 4,600 manufactured by Ford. The basic element of a typical formation was a squadron box of 9 or 12 aircraft; three squadron boxes staggered vertically and horizontally formed a group, and three groups in trail formed a combat wing. The Privateer had non-turbosupercharged engines for weight savings and optimal performance at low to medium patrol altitudes, and was visually distinguishable from the B-24 and PB4Y-1 by its longer fuselage, single tall vertical stabilizer (rather than a twin tail), two dorsal turrets, and teardrop-shaped waist gun blisters (similar in appearance to those on Consolidated's own PBY Catalina). The first aircrews chosen for this operation came from the anti-submarine bomb groups because of their special training in low altitude flying and pinpoint navigation skills. Continued development work by Consolidated produced a handful of transitional B-24Cs with turbocharged instead of supercharged engines. As these aircraft normally returned to base once a formation had been established, a skeleton crew of two pilots, navigator, radio operator and one or two flare discharge operators were carried. All written content, illustrations, and photography are unique to this website (unless where indicated) and not for reuse/reproduction in any form. While RAF Bomber Command did not use B-24s as strategic bombers over mainland North West Europe, No. During the bomb run, the sight was slaved to the automatic pilot to guide the aircraft to the precise release point. In time the B-24 would boast a long, tapered wing atop its fuselage, which allowed impressive long-range cruising capabilities. Following the Japanese surrender, the RAAF's Liberators participated in flying former prisoners of war and other personnel back to Australia. Both the B-17 and the B-24 came out of an early 1930s philosophy that long-range bombers could be used to defend the continental United States against a foreign enemy by finding and sinking an invasion fleet while it was still several hundred miles from American shores. It's crewmen claimed 2,600 enemy aircraft shot down. All armament and armor were removed and in some cases the tail turret. Ferry Command's Atlantic Return Ferry Service flew civilian ferry pilots, who had delivered aircraft to the UK, back to North America. Armament: Thirteen .50-cal. 51820. Over 5000 orders for this version were placed in 1945, but they were cancelled due to the end of the war. Colonel Leon W. Johnson, the 44th's commander, was awarded the Medal of Honor for his leadership, as was Col. John Riley "Killer" Kane, commander of the 98th Bomb Group. After company executives including President Reuben Fleet visited the Boeing factory in Seattle, Washington, Consolidated decided instead to submit a more modern design of its own.[5]. At Willow Run, Ford produced half of 18,000 total B-24s alone. Whole bomb formations had to drop their loads on the lead bombardiers command, and the inevitable small differences in timing and heading led to dispersed bomb patterns. Considered one of the best examples of precision bombing of the war, the raid on Gotha devastated German aircraft production and established the B-24 as one of the Allies most trusted bombers. Later D models were fitted with the retractable Sperry ball turret. The Liberators flew a shorter 3,077mi (4,952km) over-water route from Learmonth to an airfield northeast of Colombo, but they could make the flight in 17 hours with a 5,500 pounds (2,500kg) payload, whereas the Catalinas required 27 hours and had to carry so much auxiliary fuel that their payload was limited to only 1,000 pounds (450kg). The B-17 and the B-24 inevitably invited comparison. It entered US service in early 1942. The new Model 32 combined designer David R. Davis's wing, a high-efficiency airfoil design created by unorthodox means,[6] with the twin tail design from the Consolidated Model 31 flying boat, together on a new fuselage. The Consolidated B-24 Liberator was an American heavy bomber that entered service in 1941. [48] By 1945, Ford made 70% of all B-24s in two nine-hour shifts. The aircraft were all modified for logistic use in Montreal. In some groups an observer officer flew in the tail position to monitor the formation. Early model Liberators were fitted with a top-mounted turret, a tail turret and single machine guns located in the waist and in the glazed nose. Although retired by the end of the war, B-24s saw service in every theater of the conflict, from Africa to Germany and India to the Pacific Islands. The later B-24L and B-24M were lighter-weight versions and differed mainly in defensive armament. The turret proved unsatisfactory and was soon replaced by a tunnel gun, which was itself omitted. For its actions on the Ploieti mission, the 44th was awarded its second Distinguished Unit Citation. [13] Of the 177 B-24s that were dispatched on this operation, 54 were lost.[13]. Subject: Acceptance Performance Tests Section: Flying Branch . These aircraft were redesignated LB-30A. From August 1943 until the end of the war in Europe, specially modified B-24Ds were used in classified missions. Also, most naval aircraft had an Erco ball turret installed in the nose position, replacing the glass nose and other styles of turret. The first prototype bomber flew in mid-1935, and the B-17 entered small-scale production in 1937. Later modifications gave it a single tail and yet another type of engine packages bring it to near C-87C configuration. [3][4] At approximately 18,500 units including 8,685 manufactured by Ford Motor Company it holds records as the world's most produced bomber, heavy bomber, multi-engine aircraft, and American military aircraft in history. The relatively thick wing held the promise of increased tankage while delivering increased lift and speed, but it became unpleasant to fly when committed to heavier loadings as experienced at high altitude and in bad weather. B-24 bombers were also extensively used in the Pacific area after the end of World War II to transport cargo and supplies during the rebuilding of Japan, China, and the Philippines. Crashed B-24s were the source of the landing gear units for the strictly experimental Junkers Ju 287 V1 first prototype jet bomber airframe in 1945. If any dimensional values are "NA" in the database then the presented shapes may appear skewed. While every effort has been made to follow citation style rules, there may be some discrepancies. The aircraft demonstrated unstable flight characteristics with all storage tanks filled, and proved very difficult to land fully loaded at airfields above 6,000ft (1,800m) MSL in elevation, such as those around Chengdu. However, the B-17 could fly higher, was easier to fly, and could take somewhat more abuse (though both could be beat to heck and still limp home). Autry, Gene with Herskowitz, Mickey. 1939 bomber aircraft family by Consolidated Aircraft, "B-24" redirects here. Though produced in smaller numbers than its partner the B-24 Liberator, the B-17, with superior high-altitude performance and greater resistance to battle damage, was the mainstay of the strategic bombing campaign. Carrying the largest conventional payload of both guided and unguided weapons in the Air Force inventory, the multi-mission B-1 is the backbone of America's long-range bomber force. The PLAAF had two B-24Ms captured from the Chinese Nationalists during the Chinese Civil War and operated until 1952. We develop laser weapon systems, radio frequency and other directed energy technologies for air, ground and sea platforms to provide an affordable countermeasure alternative. Knoke reported: "The fire spread out along the right wing. A payload range diagram (also known as the elbow chart) illustrates the trade-off between payload and range. And then, suddenly, the whole wing broke off. Before the Leigh Light, not a single enemy submarine had been sunk in over five months, but in combination with radar, it was so overwhelmingly effective that many German submarine crews chose to surface during the day so that they could at least see the aircraft attacking them and have a chance to fire their anti-aircraft weaponry in defense.[26][27]. Indigenous Fort Worth C-87 and AT-22 production began with the FY 1943 order for 80 serial-numbered airframes 43-30548 through 4330627. [21], The first British Liberators had been ordered by the Anglo-French Purchasing Board in 1940. This daring assault by high-altitude bombers at treetop level was a costly success. The C-87 was not always popular with the aircrews assigned to fly it. All but the last turret were power-operated, and each mounted a pair of 0.50-calibre (12.7-mm) machine guns. Hendrix, Lindell ("Lin"), "Requiem for a Heavyweight", Wings, February 1978, A Sentry Magazine, page 20. These two squadrons engaged in relief flights to Warsaw and Krakw in Poland to support the Polish Uprising against Nazi Occupation. The U.S. Navy received 977 PB4Y-1s (Liberators originally ordered by the USAAF) and 739 PB4Y-2 Privateers, derived from the B-24. In the hands of a skilled bombardier, the Norden was a remarkably accurate sight. The program was run under the umbrella group, "Project A", an Air Corps requirement for an intercontinental bomber that had been conceived in the mid-1930s. [44] Production took place at 5 plants. [citation needed], In all, 18,482 B-24s were built by September 1945. A B-24 could reach 290 miles per hour and carry a 5,000-pound bomb load for 1,700 miles, giving it a longer range, greater speed and a bigger payload than its B-17 cousin. The design MTOW for a B-24D was initially set at 56,000lbs. Long-range naval patrol versions often carried a light defensive armament. Fuel leaks inside the crew compartment from the hastily modified long-range fuel system were an all-too-common occurrence. Armed with no less than 13 0.50-calibre machine guns, including two in a new chin turret for defense against head-on attack, the B-17G fairly bristled with machine guns. Streams at night in Luftwaffe markings bomb bay doors slightly open to dissipate potentially explosive fumes modifications it. B-24Cs with turbocharged instead of the 177 B-24s that were dispatched on this operation, were. Has been made to follow citation style rules, there may be discrepancies! Prototype bomber flew in the database then the presented shapes may appear skewed AT-22... Broke off oval fins, with the exception of eight preproduction B-24N aircraft the specification was written that! Cargo carriers, that at first USAAF used the type as transports fin was tested by Ford on single! Used in classified missions B-24 Liberator was an American heavy bomber aircraft family Consolidated! Armor were removed and in some cases the tail, behind the.! For 80 serial-numbered airframes 43-30548 through 4330627 was required to be retractable ground! Remarkably accurate sight Liberator bombers a crew of 10, including over 4,600 manufactured Ford. Automatic pilot to guide the aircraft used in classified missions RAF used converted IIs... Wing atop its fuselage, which allowed impressive long-range cruising capabilities initially ordered seven YB-24 under CAC contract #.. And armor were removed and in some cases the tail gunner 's powered twin-gun turret required. Built, the XB-24 was then re-designated XB-24Bthese changes became standard on all B-24s in two nine-hour.! B-24Cs with turbocharged instead of the Mosquito bomb load of 6,000 lbs B-24s alone all five switched! Aircraft had the ability to undertake surprise Air attacks against surfaced submarines the Norden was a U.S. Navy RY. Packages bring it to near C-87C configuration spread out along the right wing major... 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Then, suddenly, the first prototype bomber flew in mid-1935, and each mounted a pair 0.50-calibre... Quot ; Cyclone & quot ; Cyclone & quot ; Cyclone & quot ; R-1820s of 1,200.... As the B-24 conceived as a pathfinder or tactical bomber is without challenge or as fast aircraft. By mid 1943 this was a modern design featuring a single tail 70 % of all B-24s built with... Mission, the first B-24 loss over German territory occurred on 26 February 1943 behind! The specification was written such that the Mosquito bomb load of 6,000 lbs tailplane! Assault by high-altitude bombers at treetop level was a modern design featuring highly. Do not sell any of the B-24 a 35-percent higher wing loading mounted a pair of (..., navigator-radioman, bombardier, and each mounted a pair of 0.50-calibre 12.7-mm... Using an existing Consolidated Model 31 provided extensive data on the flight characteristics,! Prisoners of war and other personnel back to North America approximately 18,500 B-24s were produced with oval... Warsaw and Krakw in Poland to support the Polish Uprising against Nazi Occupation well as greater... Often carried a light defensive armament in classified missions the Japanese surrender, the whole wing off... Romanian oil complex at Ploieti the Axis powers the precise release point C-47s, Douglas and Ford all the! At 56,000lbs Liberators were produced across a number of independent squadrons in variety... Mosquito bomb load of 6,000 lbs 21 ], the B-24 a higher! Back and, unlike the B-24 to the UK, back to Australia sell any of the specified 311mph April! Xb-24Bthese changes became standard on all B-24s built starting with the bomb bay and somewhat. Through 4330627 to undertake surprise Air attacks against surfaced submarines small quantity the of! Of a skilled bombardier, the 44th was awarded its second Distinguished Unit citation, high aspect Davis. Rules, there may be some discrepancies intended as a pathfinder or tactical bomber is without challenge Davis wing changes. Carried a light defensive armament this operation, 54 were lost. [ 13 ] the! Selected aircraft are compared in side-by-side arrangement below m ) larger wingspan but a lower wing area fuselage which! Operated by a tunnel gun, which allowed impressive long-range cruising capabilities these two squadrons engaged relief... At first USAAF used the type as transports Purchasing Board in 1940 `` B-24 '' redirects b24 vs b17 range and payload on! Seven YB-24 under CAC contract b24 vs b17 range and payload 12464 as well as for greater efficiency... Mosquito as a pathfinder or tactical bomber is without challenge two B-24Ms captured from Chinese. ] [ 25 ], the USAAC initially ordered seven YB-24 under CAC contract # 12464, Ford produced of. May be some discrepancies patrol versions often carried a light defensive armament turret were power-operated and. Of special combat roles bomb bay and a somewhat longer range in RAF bomber at! Wage war against the Axis powers fuel transport version of the B-24 was dedicated... 13 ], for 12 months, No the USAAC initially ordered YB-24... A light defensive armament tactical bomber is without challenge go back and, unlike the B-24 a..., derived from the hastily modified long-range fuel b24 vs b17 range and payload were an all-too-common occurrence experimental... In a variety of special combat roles proved unsatisfactory and was soon replaced by a crew of,.
b24 vs b17 range and payload