Consolidated B-24 Liberator

Consolidated Aircraft · United States · first flew 1939 · bomber

The Consolidated B-24 Liberator was the most produced American military aircraft of World War II, serving as a heavy bomber on every theatre of the war. Its high-aspect-ratio Davis wing gave it exceptional range compared to the B-17 Flying Fortress.

Recognition (WEFT)

W — WingsHigh-mounted, tapered
E — Engines4 × piston, wing-mounted
F — FuselageDistinctive slab-sided fuselage with ventral ball turret
T — TailTwin fin

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Spot it by:

Identify by the twin-oval-fin tail, shoulder-mounted Davis wing with a pronounced taper, and deep slab-sided fuselage. The twin tail differentiates it immediately from the B-17's single-fin configuration.

Specifications

Figures are for the representative variant described above; marks differ. See how AircraftIQ sources figures.

History

First flown in 1939, the B-24 entered combat in 1941 and became famous for missions such as Operation Tidal Wave, the low-level raid on Ploiești oil refineries in 1943. Over 18,000 were built by Consolidated and sub-contractors including Ford, Douglas, and North American.

Variants

Variants ranged from the B-24A through B-24M bomber models to the C-87 Liberator Express transport, C-109 fuel tanker, PB4Y-1 Liberator maritime patrol, and PB4Y-2 Privateer with a single tail fin.

Where you'll see it

Operated by the USAAF, US Navy, RAF, RCAF, RAAF, and many other Allied air forces; the RAF used it extensively for maritime patrol in the Battle of the Atlantic and bombing operations from North Africa and India.

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