Learning about the Consolidated B-24 Liberator B.VI

Hi, I just bought a scale model of the Consolidated B-24 Liberator B.VI and I would like to know more about this aircraft so if you have information, anecdotes ... I would be glad to hear from you.

Thanks for your help!

 

The Mk VII was a RAF-operated B-24H model with the US rear turret replaced with Boulton Paul Type E turrets. There is a photo of that type of turret on a Halifax on Wikipedia here; note that it is a quad-gun unit and not twin the way the US turrets were.
http://www.historyofwar.org/articles/weapons_liberator_VI.html
There are some Mk VI photos starting about halfway down this page.

 

Women On The Warpath (1943) - Inside The Willow Run B-24 Plant

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HQKvBPjxMo4

 

Sorry for the delay. Thanks for the video link Fred Wilson. I will take a look at it

 

What was the joke about that plant.....Will It Run..?

 

Slightly off topic. Interesting "fact sheet" about the RAF Liberator II
http://www.joebaugher.com/usaf_bombers/b24_5.html

Posted elsewhere here: Absolutely fascinating GoPro camera shot of the B-24 Ball Turret operation in flight.
Absolutely A #1 wowza amazing technology for the era.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RcPTnsAP9wU

 

Umm, the photo in the first post is a C-87, not a B-24 . . . but nonetheless, a nice shot.

Personally, I prefer PB4Y's to B-24s, but that's just me

 

Not really. That airframe was built as a B-24A/LB-30. After an accident it was modified to be the prototype for the C-87 but it has been returned to its original B-24A configuration. (I prefer the B-24H)

 

That Davis Wing that the B-24 sported made for terrible water landings I've read. Never really thought much about it until I read the book "Unbroken" and later watched the movie of the same name afterwards. It did have a much longer range that B-17s though, which was a plus in the PTO.

 

FL.911 "K" ditching story here: http://www.grahamtall.co.uk/wgs1955/War%20Memorial/War%20Dead%20letters/Dunkley%20Jack%20Sergeant%20in%20Liberator.htm


"Experimental ditching test conducted by NASA Langley Researcher.
The B-24 was ditched into the James River on September 20, 1944.
A pilot flew the plane into the water and the B-24 definitely experienced damage."

9 Minute Silent Film.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WjadMxpXprk

 

Wow thanks guys for the infos.

 

Your welcome. Ditching the B-24 must have been a hell rising adventure. Yikers!.

Then remember it's huge fuel load, good fuel economy and resulting massive range made it the "to go for aircraft" for Convoy Support and shipping attacks in every theatre of the war.
The Atlantic "Black Hole" vanished to the U Boats because of the B-24.

Tip of the hat to all the crew.
Can't imagine blind navigating thousands of miles out to sea day after day after day.
"Lost Without Trace" takes on a real meaning.

 

Bit gruesome but :

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z4gN2GfiIHQ

 

Death of the Ball Turret Gunner

From my mother's sleep I fell into the State,
And I hunched in its belly till my wet fur froze.
Six miles from earth, loosed from its dream of life,
I woke to black flak and the nightmare fighters.
When I died they washed me out of the turret with a hose.

--Randall Jarrell, 1945