Consolidated PB4Y-1 Liberator

Consolidated Aircraft · United States · first flew 1939 · bomber

The Consolidated PB4Y-1 Liberator is the US Navy designation for the B-24 Liberator four-engine heavy bomber adapted for long-range maritime patrol and anti-submarine warfare. It brought the range and payload of the heavy bomber to the naval patrol mission.

Recognition (WEFT)

W — Wings	High-mounted, tapered
E — Engines	4 × piston, wing-mounted
F — Fuselage	20.47 m fuselage
T — Tail	Twin fin

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Four-engine high-wing Navy maritime patrol bomber
Twin-tail Liberator in anti-submarine configuration
Davis high-aspect-ratio wing with four radials

Identical in appearance to the B-24 Liberator bomber — four radial engines on a high-aspect-ratio Davis wing, twin-tail, slab-sided fuselage — distinguished from USAAF examples mainly by Navy markings and equipment.

Specifications

The Consolidated PB4Y-1 Liberator has a length of 20.47 m (67 ft).
It has a wingspan of 33.53 m (110 ft).
Its maximum speed is 467 km/h (290 mph).
Typical crew: 10.

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

History

As the war in the Atlantic intensified, the US Navy sought aircraft with the range to close the Atlantic air gap where German U-boats operated with relative impunity. The PB4Y-1 Liberator, essentially a B-24D with Navy equipment changes, filled this role effectively from 1942 onward. The follow-on PB4Y-2 Privateer was a purpose-designed single-tail derivative.

Variants

The PB4Y-1 retained the standard B-24 twin-tail; the PB4Y-2 Privateer was a substantially modified single-tail variant purpose-built for the naval patrol role.

Where you'll see it

Served extensively with US Navy patrol squadrons in both Atlantic and Pacific theatres from 1942, playing a crucial role in anti-submarine warfare and long-range maritime patrol.

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