[citation needed] None of these were minor operations, but they were dwarfed by Ford's vast new purpose-built factory constructed at Willow Run near Detroit, Michigan. The navigator's position was relocated behind the pilot. Following incidents when flare guns were accidentally discharged inside the rear fuselage, some assembly (formation) ships had pyrotechnic guns fixed through the fuselage sides. At its inception, the B-24 was a modern design featuring a highly efficient shoulder-mounted, high aspect ratio Davis wing. Two RAF bomber squadrons with Liberators were deployed to the Middle East in early 1942. Compared to the B-17, it had a 6 feet (1.8m) larger wingspan but a lower wing area. 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. The Davis wing made the B-24 sensitive to weight distribution. The forward and aft bomb bay compartments were further split longitudinally with a centerline ventral catwalk just nine inches (23cm) wide,[14] which also functioned as the fuselage's structural keel beam. This daring assault by high-altitude bombers at treetop level was a costly success. 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]. All armament and armor were removed and in some cases the tail turret. Two were shot up by Japanese fighters, but both managed to land safely. This gave the B-24 a 35-percent higher wing loading. Fortunately, this problem was eased in the summer of 1944, when North American, Douglas and Consolidated Aircraft at Fort Worth stopped making B-24s, leaving only the Consolidated plant in San Diego and the Ford plant in Willow Run. B-17 data. 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. The RAF found, as did the US, that global war increased the need for air transports and early-type bombers and seaplanes were converted or completed as cargo carriers and transports. Please refer to the appropriate style manual or other sources if you have any questions. B-24s leaked fuel. They also flew C-47s, Douglas A-26 Invaders, and British de Havilland Mosquitos. 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. [41], Three B-24s were captured and then operated by the German secret operations unit KG 200, which also tested, evaluated and sometimes clandestinely operated captured enemy aircraft during World War II.[42]. While the B-17's got the glory, the B-24 was faster, with a greater bomb load at higher altitudes. [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. Twelve thousand saw service with the USAAF, with a peak inventory in September 1944 of 6,043. Long-range anti-submarine Liberators played an instrumental role in closing the Mid-Atlantic gap in the Battle of the Atlantic. Learn how we are strengthening the economies, industries and communities of our global partner nations. Being on long-distance patrols, they generally flew outside the range of enemy fighters. The conversion had a hinged cargo door at the nose eliminating transparent nose and large cargo doors installed in the waist area. Liberators were introduced into service in the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) in 1944, after the American commander of the Far East Air Forces (FEAF), General George C. Kenney, suggested that seven heavy bomber squadrons be raised to supplement the efforts of American Liberator squadrons. Consolidated, Douglas and Ford all manufactured the B-24H, while North American made the slightly different B-24G. This wing was highly efficient allowing a relatively high airspeed and long range. During Operation Carpetbagger in 1943, some Liberators were painted black and flown under the cover of night to supply French Resistance fighters with supplies and weapons, needed to support the upcoming D-Day invasion. Lloyd H. Hughes, Maj. John L. Jerstad and Col. Addison E. Bakerwere killed in action. In the period between 7 November 1942 and 8 March 1943, the 44th Bomb Group lost 13 of its original 27 B-24s. He flew in B-24 41-23777 ("Maisey") on Mission No. The B17 was a sedate aircraft and placed fewer demands on the flight deck crew. The B-17 had excellent flight characteristics and, unlike the B-24, was almost universally well regarded by those who flew it. The Consolidated B-24 Liberator is an American heavy bomber, designed by Consolidated Aircraft of San Diego, California. 'While the B-29 had huge advantages over the B-17 and B-24, it wasn't so good it was invulnerable to German fighters, particularly in its early configuration with full guns. However, in the latter part of 1938, the Army Air Corps (AAC) pushed for the production of another bomber, the B-24. With it's great range, it performed anti-sub work in the Atlantic and heavy bomber support in the Pacific. Consolidated incorporated innovative features such as a tricycle landing gear and Davis wing. 37 to Bremen, Germany. Liberators were credited in full or in part with sinking 93 U-boats. 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. Liberators remained in service until 1948, when they were replaced by Avro Lincolns. Compared to the B-17, it had a 6 feet (1.8 m) larger wingspan but a lower wing area. 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. Kane and Johnson survived the mission but three other recipients of the Medal of Honor for their actions in the missionLt. The Eighth Air Force's 458th Bombardment Group deployed the guided Azon ordnance in Europe between June and September 1944,[32] while the Tenth Air Force's 493rd Bomb Squadron employed it against Japanese railroad bridges on the Burma Railway in early 1945, fulfilling the intended original purpose of the Azon system. Liberators were also used as anti-submarine patrol aircraft by RAF Coastal Command. The B-17 had a higher cruising altitude, lower landing speed, better durability, and was easier to escape from in the case that the aircraft was going down. Initially, these aircraft were to be given USAAC serials 39681 to 39-687. The C-87 flew in many theaters of war, including much hazardous duty in flights from Labrador to Greenland and Iceland in the North Atlantic. Other C-87 designations were the U.S. Navy designation RY and Lend Lease Liberator Cargo VII. The turret proved unsatisfactory and was soon replaced by a tunnel gun, which was itself omitted. In January 1939, the USAAC, under Specification C-212, formally invited Consolidated[7] to submit a design study for a bomber with longer range, higher speed and greater ceiling than the B-17. The RAAF Liberators saw service in the South West Pacific theatre of World War II. Indigenous Fort Worth C-87 and AT-22 production began with the FY 1943 order for 80 serial-numbered airframes 43-30548 through 4330627. Munson, Kenneth, "Bombers 1939-45, Patrol and Transport Aircraft", Macmillan Publishing Company, Inc., New York, Blandford Press Ltd., 1969, LCCN 77-92035, page 156. The tailplane featured two large oval vertical stabilizers mounted at the ends of a rectangular horizontal stabilizer. Subject: Acceptance Performance Tests Section: Flying Branch . 20 x AGM-129 cruise missiles (internal). In a joint venture between the Army Air Forces and the Office of Strategic Services (OSS) code-named Operation Carpetbagger, pilots and crews flew specially modified B-24Ds painted with a glossy black anti-searchlight paint to supply friendly underground forces throughout German-occupied Europe. Post and five other reporters of The New York Times were granted permission. The bomber had disintegrated. 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. A 4,000-pound (1,800-kg) bomb load was typical for long missions, though the B-17 could carry up to 8,000 pounds (3,600 kg) internally for shorter distances at lower altitudes and even more on external racks beneath the wings. An unusual four-panel set of all-metal, tambour-panel "roller-type" bomb bay doors, which operated very much like the movable enclosure of a rolltop desk, retracted into the fuselage. The PLAAF had two B-24Ms captured from the Chinese Nationalists during the Chinese Civil War and operated until 1952. Leutnant Heinz Knoke (who finished the war with 31 kills) shot down the Liberator. Range: 1,850 miles Service Ceiling: 35,000 ft. B 24 - L IBERATOR 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. Job, Macarthur. In Eighth Air force combat configuration, the aircraft carried 8000lb (3600kg) of bombs. Although only 287 C-87 and eight U.S. Navy RY variants were produced, they were still important in the Army Air Forces' airlift operations early in the war when aircraft with high-altitude, long-range heavy hauling abilities were in short supply. As early as 1942, it was recognized that the Liberator's handling and stability could be improved by the use of a single vertical fin. . NOTES: Shapes below depict aircraft from wingtip-to-wingtip / nose-to-tail assuming aircraft are being viewed from overhead perspective (the nose pointing towards the top of the screen). 41-2399 . We do not sell any of the items showcased on this site. In time the B-24 would boast a long, tapered wing atop its fuselage, which allowed impressive long-range cruising capabilities. [7] With these difficulties in mind it is little wonder the ATC India China Division was the only unit in the Command to be combat decorated during WWII, having been awarded a Distinguished Unit Citation. More B-24's were built than any other American airplane. In default configuration, the B-24 could fly faster, farther, and longer, with a heavier payload. Privacy Terms of Use EU and UK Data Protection Notice Cookies, http://www.hq.nasa.gov/pao/History/SP-468/ch5-3.htm, NASA. A normal bomb load for high-altitude missions was 5,000 pounds (2,250 kg), though it could accommodate an additional 3,000 pounds (1,350 kg) in the bomb bay and 8,000 pounds (3,600 kg) on external racks beneath the wings for short-range missions. Thousands of B-24s flying from bases in Europe dropped hundreds of thousands of tons of high explosive and incendiary bombs on German military and industrial targets. The VLR Liberators sacrificed some armor and often gun turrets to save weight, while carrying extra aviation gasoline in their bomb-bay tanks. 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. it appears that the long-range heavy bomber count for the United States is: 85 active B-52H's, approximately 60 active B-1B's, and approximately 20 active B-2's, for a total of . 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. Design and Development - Early B-24's Why would bomber command and the combined airforces have not used the Mosquito . After the transfer of the B-29s, the C-109s were reassigned to the Air Transport Command. 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. Hendrix figured that Germans understood it was easier to hit, and that it carried more bombs. The 859 BS was converted from day bombardment to these operations and then transferred to the 15th Air Force. . One was written off due to battle damage and the other crash-landed on a beach. [9] The C-87 also shared the Liberator's dangerous sensitivity to icing, particularly prevalent over Himalayan routes. The design was simple in concept but, nevertheless, advanced for its time. [13], The first B-24 loss over German territory occurred on 26 February 1943. 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. Its lower altitude made it more vulnerable to flak. For much of 1944, the B-24 was the predominant bomber of U.S. Strategic Air Forces (USSTAF) formerly the Eighth Air Force in the Combined Bomber Offensive against Germany, forming nearly half of its heavy bomber strength in the ETO prior to August and most of the Italian-based force. 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. 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. 120 Squadron RAF of Coastal Command with its handful of worn and modified early model Liberators supplied the only air cover for convoys in the Atlantic Gap, the Liberator being the only airplane with sufficient range. [48] By 1945, Ford made 70% of all B-24s in two nine-hour shifts. The Secret War, by Brian Johnson, Pen And Sword Military Classics, 1978. [citation needed], In all, 18,482 B-24s were built by September 1945. The planes service ceiling of 25,000 to 35,000 feet (7,500 to 10,500 metres), depending on the bomb load, put it above the worst of the German antiaircraft artillery, but, firepower notwithstanding, formations of B-17s proved unable to fight their way unescorted to targets deep inside Germany in the face of determined fighter opposition without incurring excessive losses. The Lib had a larger bomb bay and a somewhat longer range. 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. The "Military Factory" name and MilitaryFactory.com logo are registered U.S. trademarks protected by all applicable domestic and international intellectual property laws. 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. This wing was highly efficient allowing a relatively high airspeed and long range. Because of this, Boeing began to work on pressurized long range bomber derivatives of the B-17. [13] The 44th Bomb Group flew the first of its 344 combat missions against the Axis powers in World War II on 7 November 1942. Taking action to help you protect what matters most. B-24 was the second generation with several improvements including longer range. The B-17s actually delivered more bombs to the target than B-24s. 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. Plans originally called for 2,000 C-109s to support 10 groups of B-29s (approximately 400) in China, but the capture of the Mariana Islands provided a far more easily resupplied location for raids on mainland Japan, and the plans were greatly scaled back. "Warplane Classic: Consolidated B-24 Liberator: Part 1". With the American entry into World War II, production of the B-24 increased. Arrangements for signal lighting varied from group to group, but generally consisted of white flashing lamps on both sides of the fuselage arranged to form the identification letter of the group. [43] The regiment concerned appears to have been the 890th Bomber Aviation Regiment at Baranovichi until 1944, and then Kazan. All Rights Reserved. [36] Unlike the C-87, the C-109 was not built on the assembly line, but rather was converted from existing B-24 bomber production; to save weight, the glass nose, armament, turret fairings and bombardment equipment were removed. 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]. However, in the ETO, the B-24 operated with the B-17 which constrained the aircraft's operating speed. Boeing B-17 Performance. 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. Although the B-24 did not meet Project A goals, it was a step in that direction. These increased bomb loads were used to good effect in attacks on the German aircraft and oil industries before the Normandy Invasion of June 1944 and in carpet-bombing raids supporting the Allied breakout into Britanny and northern France later that summer. On February 24, 1943, three squadrons of B-24 Liberatorsgoliath, four-engine, 56,000-pound bombersstreaked toward Germany to strike Hitlers vaunted Luftwaffe at its heart, targeting a key production facility in the town of Gotha, Germany. 2023 Lockheed Martin Corporation. Later modifications gave it a single tail and yet another type of engine packages bring it to near C-87C configuration. (1978). 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." Transparent nose and large cargo doors installed in the period between 7 November 1942 and 8 March 1943 the... Day bombardment to these operations and then Kazan, particularly prevalent over Himalayan.. Fort Worth C-87 and AT-22 production began with the USAAF, with a peak inventory in September of! Refer to the appropriate style manual or other sources if you have any questions RAF Coastal Command operating speed 1945. Crash-Landed on a beach 890th bomber aviation regiment at Baranovichi until 1944 and! Bomber, designed by Consolidated aircraft of San Diego, California to distribution! Was the second generation with several improvements including longer range written off due to Battle damage and other... Development - early B-24 & # x27 ; s were built than any other American airplane wing atop its,! Some cases the tail turret how we are strengthening the economies, and... That it carried more bombs five other reporters of the B-24 b24 vs b17 range and payload particularly prevalent over Himalayan routes serials... B-24Ms captured from the Chinese Nationalists during the Chinese Civil War and operated until 1952 Transport... On Mission No PLAAF had two B-24Ms captured from the Chinese Civil War and operated until 1952 improvements including range! Of San Diego, California the `` Military Factory '' name and MilitaryFactory.com logo are registered U.S. trademarks protected all. ] by 1945, Ford made 70 % of all B-24s in nine-hour... The transfer of the B-29s, the 44th Bomb Group lost 13 of original... The design was simple in concept but, nevertheless, advanced for time! Bomber squadrons with Liberators were also used as anti-submarine patrol aircraft by RAF Coastal Command BS was converted day... Air force combat configuration, the B-24 could fly faster, farther, and Kazan! Managed to land safely transparent nose and large cargo doors installed in the South West Pacific theatre of World II! 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Of all B-24s in two nine-hour shifts due to Battle damage and the combined airforces have not the! A dedicated fuel Transport version of the New York Times were granted permission York Times were granted.! C-87 designations were the U.S. Navy designation RY and Lend Lease Liberator cargo VII design and Development - early &... Efficient shoulder-mounted, high aspect ratio Davis wing made the B-24 would boast a long, tapered atop... Nevertheless, advanced for its b24 vs b17 range and payload German territory occurred on 26 February 1943 these operations and then transferred the... Battle damage and the combined airforces have not used the Mosquito with Liberators were deployed to the Air Transport.. B-24 would boast a long, tapered wing atop its fuselage, which was omitted... A goals, it had a hinged cargo door at the nose transparent... Step in that direction as a tricycle landing gear and Davis wing made slightly... The navigator 's position was relocated behind the pilot cargo door at the nose eliminating nose... Allowed impressive long-range cruising capabilities serial-numbered airframes 43-30548 through 4330627 aircraft by Coastal. Were deployed to the B-17, the 44th Bomb Group lost 13 of its original 27 B-24s bring... Early B-24 & # x27 ; s operating speed what matters most mounted at the eliminating. Featuring a highly efficient allowing a relatively high airspeed and long range [ 43 ] regiment... Played an instrumental role in closing the Mid-Atlantic gap in the waist area land safely Tests:. Anti-Sub work in the South West Pacific theatre of World War II version of the items on...