Consolidated B-24 Liberator  

 Consolidated B-24 Liberator

The most constructed American plane at the time of World War II was the B-24 with 18 188 units. The B-24 proved to be an excellent and agile machine. The project started  at the beginning of 1939 when the Consolidated Aircraft Corporation received a proposal from the USAAC to create a new bomber more modern and more effective than the one that was then in service, the Boeing B-17. The Chief engineer, Isaac Landon, chose to build the Liberator. The wings on the Liberator were longer than normal creating a larger load capacity and climbing speed. The first model flew on December 29, 1939 and then in 1940, USA ordered a first share of 36 planes. The first version to be produced in a large quantity was the D. With a total of 2 738 units, they were the first Liberator to really fight. Then came the E and G versions with different engines. A big evolution arrived on the 26th unit of the E version: the adoption of a mechanically-controlled turret on the nose. Next the B-24H (3 100 units) and J equipped with various transformations like new engine control instruments, etc. The L version (1 667 units) and M (2 593 units) were given improvements in the armament with the addition of new tail turrets and the N version had a simple vertical stabilizer.

 Specifications

Full Name

 Consolidated B-24D Liberator

Type

 Heavy Bomber

Origin

 USA

Manufacturer

 Consolidated

Wingspan

 33.53 m

Length

 20.22 m

Height

 4.46 m

Weight

 Empty: 14490 kg

Maximum Speed

 488 km/h

Range

 4586 km

Engine

 4 x 1200hp Pratt & Whitney R-1830-43

Armament

 5 x .5in machine guns and an internal bomb load of 3992kg

Crew

 10

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