B-24 Liberator Takeoff at Long Beach Airport

[1942PANTHERV]

oh that is sooo beautiful

[SIKVIDEOSANDCLTHES]

All I hear is annoying camera clicks from people snapping pictures...

[truthquest]

More than 20,000 B24s were produced, but as far as I know, this is the only one that is still able to fly.

[olentangy74]

A beautiful airplane, the Lanc.

[woofdogmeow]

i have been aboard this bomber even have the t-shirt. It used to visit our small airport in berlin vermont with the B-17 9-0-9. They have not been back for several years probably they don't make enough money here due to our small population.

[IhanNormal]

Hope I will 'be seated' onboard B-24.

[ktc8308]

How many flying B-24s left?



[spentyz426rider]

@ktc8308 this is the only b-24j left flying in the world, and as far as i know the only airworthy one. there is a c-87 flying around. if you ever have the chance to fly with the collins foundation, do it. its just something else being in a piece of ww2 history. they also fly a b-17 with the b-24, and occasionally they will have the b-25 out flying along with them as well

[92SallyGT]

@ktc8308 1

[MrBEB123]

A wonderful example of misused technology.

[LinYouToo]

My uncle was a B24 and B17 pilot during WWII.....ruined him.

[ObltKG4]

in a word: incredible!

[transonicbuoy1]

Was in Liverpool this week. U Boat there, now a museum, attacked by an RAF B24. Luckily only 3 crew died. Good job by the Lib.

[elma2824]

My dad was a top turret gunner and flew 30 missions over Germany. I have incredible video of him talking about the war. My dad passed away Jan 18, 2011--every time I see footage like this I get chills--Thank you.

[macross25]

That B-24 has had so many different paint jobs and still always looks awesome!!!

[zbehlik5]

haha i did a static tour of this aircraft in NH, it took me a little bit to piece together that it had the same name as the one I toured

[kobi97]

A nice slow target for a bf109k-4 !!

[Liberator74]

We went to Republic Fields, L.I. from England to fly on Witchraft in 2009 - FANTASTIC PLANE!! See my B24 Liberator Beast of Bourbon Memorial 36 BS "The Gremlins" 7/5/11 England

[Liberator74]

We went to Republic Fields, L.I. from England to fly on Witchraft in 2009 - FANTASTIC PLANE!! See our B24 Beast Of Bourbon crew memorial dedication weekend 9th May 2011



[ncmcgoverns]

Grandfather was a navigator in one of these and the oldest on his crew. He loved flying after the war and taught me. Very much missed as are most from this greatest generation ever!

[LongBeachPits562]

3 japs had bad memories seeing this beast take flight and hit the dislike button....GREAT video btw! Cant wait til I start seeing the B-17, the Liberator, and the Mustangs that fly out of Long Beach once every year for about a week or two. Should be coming up. I thought I seen a liberator a week ago but I was in the shower. I did just see a C-130 fly out. Got just like 2 seconds of it on video though seeing as how I had to run inside and get my camera lol!

[barmtrail]

I just saw this plane at Brackett field in La verne. Do you know why they built this plane and not just entirely the B17? I love this aircraft better, it just looks great, not so sporty as the B17. was it faster than the 17?

[miltonluvsno1]

@barmtrail Taken from historic sources "Often compared with the better-known B-17 Flying Fortress, the B-24 was a more modern design with a higher top speed, greater range, and a heavier bomb load; however, it was also more difficult to fly, with heavy control forces and poor formation-flying characteristics."

[claymoresc1]

My uncle, Richard, an enrolled member of the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe, served as a navigator on a B-24. Upon return from a bombing run the plane ran out of fuel. The entire crew bailed . Fortunately, and quite unusual, they were all plucked from the South China Sea by a PBY.

[sbchelldiver]

When I see this Lib taking off, I have to think of the noble men who went out to Ploesti in '43, or of the men of Lady be Good, who met a sad, slow death in the Lybian desert, unwilling Heroes, God bless them...

[ARKIEX]

I envy those golden days.. and those lucky men who flew these machines.

[moz1953]

my dad flew one of these for RAF coastal command during WW2 - great character

[kkrankie]

I flew on this Lib in 1997- She was known at the time as "All American". I think she's been renamed "Dragon's tail", but I maybe mistaken. If you get the chance, take a flight- it was unreal....

[bloodyhammer1]

My grandfather's name is Lt.Col.Robert Scott ( U.S. Army Air Corp/ Air Force) .He was the pilot of " S for Sugar".He was shot down over Yugoslavia in 44 after bombing a synthetic oil refinery.He was part of the long cold march and spent his time in Stalag 3. Been a LONG time since iv'e seen a Libby take off....nice video.

[Robinroxaustin]

My dad was a navigator for a crew...flew B-24s, B-36s, B-52s....simply amazing. WW II veteran; he's buried at Arlington Natl. Cemetery. We are so proud of him. My brother, husband and I got to fly in a Liberator this past fall in Addison, TX. Nothing like it! So cool.

[kolbpilot]

Slightly faster than the B-17 but much more of a handful to fly.

[xxchinookxx]

Japan was lucky that only two atomic bombs were dropped on them. They should of dropped another 5 just for payback on all their atrocities.

[414jockey]

My Dad served in B24 Liberators with 355 Squadron RAF in Burma in WW2. He told me many sad stories of friends who were lost.

[OpheliasWings]

My uncle was the tail gunner on B24 #42-7092, 735 squadran, 453 bomb group. They took off from March Field, 1943 and were killed in a training accident on the way to Germany. He is buried in Stephanville Texas. Thanks and RIP

[sebciu2]

Polish General Sikorski was killed in a Liberator crash just off Gibraltar .British Intelligence has declined to declassifie documents surrounding his death.His death put an end to Polish hope for independence .

[plane15]

why is there no ball turret on this one?

[CaptCape]

@plane15 There is. Its just pulled up into the belly.

[ironfalcon100]

This B-24 looks like it was assigned to the 466th BG, 2nd AD, 8th AF.

[CaptCape]

@ironfalcon100

The Collings Foundation’s B-24J is the only restored flying B-24J in the world. Initially, when we restored it in 1989, we honored the 15th A.F. in Italy with the selection of the ALL AMERICAN-a very distinguished A/C with a record of having shot down 14 enemy fighters on a single mission (only two B-24’s came back out of a squadron of 19)

[edj66]

@CaptCape There's another one. That's out of date.

[youreadyfreddie]

@ironfalcon100

If I may clarify . . . you're close. Actually, Witchcraft was assigned to the 467th BG, 2nd AD, 8th AF, stationed at Rackheath. My dad was a pilot in the 467th. He and I walked through the same B-24 as the one in the video when it was still in the "All American" livery. After all those years he still knew every inch of that plane.

[boostjunkie231]

I would love to go up in one of these some day. My grandfather was a WW2 vet and POW. Waist gunner turned Navigator, shot down over Bernburg in April '44. Told me a lot about his time in these monsters. Hope to get that chance just for a glimpse of what he went through.

[xazoulini1]

cool engine sound:)

[danielnordeen]

I took a ride in this plane (when it was in San Jose, CA in 1997 for $350 and it was worth every penny except I was hung over.

[ObltKG4]

The engines give me goosebumps

[nbkc21d]

Fantastic old war bird!

[OfficialACFilms]

When this exact plane flew over my house I almost sh*t my pants.

The Collings Foundation had two exhibits each within 15 minutes of where I live and I went to both, several times each.

There's nothing like a true WWII bomber, it's such a shame we're left behind with scant remains of a once endless supply of remarkable aircraft; fighters, bombers, and all.

[johnpt92]

I just took a flight in this very airplane "Witchcraft" here in Tacoma/Narrows just yesterday! What a blast! Thank you to our courageous Veterans who flew these aircraft.

[uhhuh35]

My Grandfather flew B-24's with the 15th Air Force, 455th Bomb WIng, 741st Squadron out of San Giovani Italy during the war.

His bombers were named "Miss-I-Hope" and "Rosalie Mae". He was shot down twice.

He also flew B-50's in Korea. When I visited him in 1979 (I was 15) I saw his actual log book.

When I visited him in 1979 he got his pilot's license renewed and I was able to fly with him during that flight.

He passed away in 1987.

[TheNymvader]

My Grandpa (Joel Grayson the 1rst) flew B24's over China and Pacific Asia he was part of the first american crews in china that became known as the Flying Tiger's.

[jimi08jam]

...My stepdad hired a salvage crew back in 1979 , to raise a B-24 bomber that crashed into Hunington lake Back in 1943, ...alot of money was spent paying divers to find the B-24 , it was finally located and televised on Ch.30 news. I can just remember seeing the wing and the fuselage that was recovered ...How cool it was , but unfortunately the project failed. Fresno,California

[TV843]

All I can say is, I'm glad these birds were on our side!

[1bearcatf8f]

This is the last flying B-24

[encinostalgia]

BEE-A-UTIFUL!

[TheFNFALRules]

The Flying Boxcar is the best bomber

[juzzi07]

@TheFNFALRules

the Flying Boxcar was NOT a bomber....a gunship maybe...but NOT used as a bomber by any air force.

[RFKFANTS67]

Relax guys it's about the love of old war birds..and this is about the Liberator anywho not the B29 super fortress's accomplishments sheeesh

[1941pearl]

My Uncle Bob, flew B-24s and he after the war built a B-24 flying model wing span 8 ft and today the model hangs in a museum in the South, might be Tenn.

[JerrysTube]

The survivors of Hiroshima and Nagasaki should best remember the end result of those two bombs dropped on Japan. Not a pleasant thing to do, but what was deemed as "Necesarry". Imagine what North Korea would do IF they were to be shown what happened in Japan during the war years ago. As beligerant as North Korea behaves of late, I doubt that they could concieve of the types of disaster those bombs caused. For IF they could comphrend these realities -North Korea would indeed Cease and Desist.

[gaktkr]

Japan was still going to fight after the bombs fell and devistated Hiroshima and Nagasaki but they surrenderd because of the Japanese emperor died. But i cant belive that they would fight back after that they are so brave and willing they were amazing fighters and will always be rememberd.

[acr08807]

@JerrysTube Whatever you're smoking, I want some.

[MattytheDem]

@JerrysTube they would cease to exist

[JerrysTube]

In previous comments left here regarding Japan during WWII. I submit that Japan was "Asked" to Surrender and refused. Also Japan pretty much laughed at America to even think that America could intimidate Japan. It was a measure of Self Defense on America's behalf to do what was done to Japan as a result of lack of Respect for The U.S.A..

[theHOLTEender]

@JerrysTube Nothing justifies the use of atomic weapons no matter what the circumstances and the genocidal aftermath and any nation that uses them are guilty of crimes against humanity and any country that tries to justify they're use does not deserve respect as they themselves have no respect for human life.

[430mech]

@theHOLTEender So the firebombing that we did in Tokyo which did more damage, killed thousands more, is? This was a show of force, it saved the countless lives of those Marines and others who were to invade Japan. While I dont like the idea of using such weapons, think of how many men and women would have been lost due not using them.

[Auggie56]

@430mech So taking the Japanese main land, by hand to hand combat was much more preferred ? And what genocide are you talking about ?

[430mech]

@Auggie56 no, taking the main land would have led to an outrageous amount of lives lost. That is why this weapon was used. Do you read history or believe what bs your fed to us these days by teachers? I dont agree with these weapons of destruction and they scare the hell out of me, but remember what Japan had done at Iwo and Oki, how do you think they would have protected the homeland?

[Auggie56]

@430mech The Imperial Gov, was telling it's population that they were to be invaded, and the the GI would exact terrible revenge. Torture, rape and horrible death awaited them. They were instructed on how to defend the homeland with anything available. The first island in the Japanese Island chain for told what was to be, by suicide attacks and citizens killing themselves rather than the fate they were told the US would perpetrate on them.

[Sleeko11]

@Auggie56 The fire bombing of Toyoko, prior to the nuclear strike, killed far more than did the bomb. The Japanese had to be stopped, at all costs. They were killing millions in China, and they would have kills millions, here. My late uncle was in the Bataan death march. He related, to me first hand, just how ruthless they were. If they would have had the bomb, they would have used it. No doubt!

[jers59]

@theHOLTEender Typical spineless liberal ignores jap war crimes from rape of nanking over 225.000 chinese civilians murdered, using biological weapons against chinese civilians throwing chinese babies up in air and impaling them on jap savages bayonets. murder of over 100.000 civilians in manila. No mention of those by wimp liberals, butchering and eating POw,s, bataan death match. God Bless paul Tibetts

[noacronym]

@theHOLTEender blithering Liberal idiot.

[Auggie56]

@theHOLTEender So taking Japan, while costing an estimated one million US lives, was more acceptable to you ? How many Japanese lives would have been lost ?

[olentangy74]

My uncle was a ball turret gunner on a liberator. 2 confirmed kills. He was shot down in 1944, captured and spent the rest of the war in stalag 13.

[kolbpilot]

@olentangy74 Commanded by Colonel Klink. : ).

[WW2files]

@olentangy74 WOW no way! stalag 13 reminds me of hogans heroes! hahahah great show and im glad your grandfather got out!

[olentangy74]

@WW2files Actually he was my uncle, and it was no Hogan;s heroes. He wondered at times if he would survive captitvity via malnutrition and outright rigor. many of his fellow POw's did not survive. Men died daily. By the grace of God my uncle Willie survived.

[WW2files]

@olentangy74 well im very happy your uncle is alive and well

[olentangy74]

@WW2files actually my uncle passed aWAY IN 2000 AT AGE 77, BUT I do appreciate your sentiment. Same to you Roberto 26666. The greatest generation is leaving ever quicker...

[wajxxx]

@olentangy74 are u sure it wasn't stalag luft ?

[Roberto26666]

@olentangy74 Great respect for Your uncle.

[Rikki0]

@olentangy74 Hiya Olen. My Dad was a B-17 ball turret gunner. At 5' 7" he said he KNEW where he was going to wind up, heh. He also said that the B-24's were the best escorts they ever had. That's not a put down to the crews or the plane. It's just that the 24's couldn't fly as high as the 17's and the Luftwaffe pilots always went for the lower groups because they got better performance out of their fighters there. He hated watching it, but was glad it wasn't them. Props to your Uncle.

[olentangy74]

@Rikki0 I love the B -17, and i think it is one of the most beautiful airplane designs ever. It could also take incredible battle damage and still get her crews home. I have got to crawl throughout liberators and Forts on the ground, but actually getting a flight on each of these queens is on my bucket list. my uncle Willie was a fireplug too. I tried to crawl into a ball turret once, but I am 6' 1" so no way. Props to your dad too!

[pramboy09]

@olentangy74 lancaster for me.

[Iceman5164]

Yeah, but that was revenge for Pearl Harbor, plus, they were already planning to attack the U.S. itself so we had to do something, it's basically self-defense...

[gaktkr]

i do like americans but i dont like them for dropping 2 atomic bombs on Japan! but what really made me hate them was they said Japan is their test site which wansnt nice but i still like the americans that was in the past which ill remember but i only hate the americans that were involved ^^ i like all other americans great video ^^

[iowa61]

You are uninformed. We NEVER said Japan was a "test site." That is a disgusting lie. We dropped the atomic bomb when they refused to surrender. They had enslaved all of Asia and intended to enslave the world with Germany. They had murdered millions throughout the Pacific. We were preparing for a mainland invasion of Japan which would have resulted in the loss of millions of lives. The atomic bombs ended the long and terrible war. There were only two bombs. No "test" was possible.

[Ar1k1]

@iowa61

America tested the Trinity bomb at the Alamogordo bomb and gunnery range in the Mojave desert at 5:29.45 am on the 16th of July 1945 a Monday.After the successful test detonation of the first atomic bomb J Robert Oppenheimer quoted a verse from a sacred Hindu text "I am become death, the shatter of worlds"

On the 6th of August 1945 America detonated it's second nuclear device and on the 9th of August 1945 it's third. The use of these weapons saved a lot of lives.

Lest we forget

[me1u24321]

I have always liked the B-24 more than the B-17 ever since I was a child.

While the B-17 deserves it praises and the B-29 earned its fame by dropping the atomic bomb, the B-24 is not spoken of much nor given its due credit.

[MrPloopy]

@me1u24321 The B-24 was much more difficult to fly and was unforgiving to pilot error. The B-17 was much more "user-friendly." Read Stephen Ambrose's "The Wild Blue" about how many training accidents occurred involving the B-24.

[phantomphan1974]

Nice one, wish when we were there the bombers had flown. It was just the TP-51C that did.

[xstevenmaox]

i was playing golf when this one took off.

if your still here in LB take vids of the f/a 18's i saw on friday. maybe they're are taking off soon

[planecrazynl]

Very Beautifull,it's in such a good shape,great.

love it how the wheels are going very slowly into the wings.

[cartman204]

Such a beautiful aircraft. The deep moaning of the engines is so significant to WWII. Nice vid.

[Freshmaker79]

Many thanks for all your videos! Really awesome!

[spins321]

imagine seeing 50 of these things taking off back in the day!

[CplNavrasMEC]

such an old plane. But in mint condition. Amazing

[planelover3640]

Great video, man that landing gear took a while to go in, LOL

[jertzie]

Fantastic!

[rawrcore]

beautiful