Dec 29th 1939

[antarmike]

First flight of the Consolidated Liberator.

Around 18,000 of the type would eventually be built, making in the largest production US heavy wartime bomber. Although comparable to the B17 flying Fortress, it was a more modern design. Carrying a similar bomb load, and similar defensive armament, it was more lightly built giving it a far superior range.

 

However, placing fuel tanks in the upper fuselage, made it vulnerable to fire, and it lighter construction meant it was less tolerant to battle damage than the B-17.

 

In general the crews preferred the rugged B-17, but nevertheless the Liberator was an imensely sucessful design.

 

Initially both the US and the RAF used them in a long range transport role, but in British usage they are probaly best remembered as the the Liberator GR Is whicch went into service with RAF Coastal Command on anti-submarine patrols in the Battle of the Atlantic.

 

This was followered by the Liberator II in 1941. This model introduced self-sealing fuel tanks and powered gun turrets. At the same time, Consolidated added a 2 ft 7 in (79 cm) plug in the forward fuselage to create more space for crew members. The Liberator IIs were divided between Coastal Command, Bomber Command, and BOAC. Two RAF squadrons with Liberators were deployed to the Middle East in early 1942, in the first use of the Liberator as a bomber.

 

B-24s bomb Ploieşti oil fields in August 1943

[antarmike]

The liberator had many variants. I picked just one. The experimental B-24J with B-17 nose section, containing chin turret, grafted on; modification not adopted for production.