B-24 Liberator, RAF

The Consolidated B-24 Liberator was an American heavy bomber, built by Consolidated Aircraft. It was produced in greater numbers than any other American combat aircraft of World War II and still holds the record as the most produced U.S. military aircraft. It was used by many Allied air forces and every U.S. branch of service during the war, attaining a distinguished war record with its operations in the northern European, Pacific and Mediterranean theaters.

British Variants

Liberator B Mk I
B-24A (Total: 20), used in British Coastal Patrol and Defense Squadrons.

Liberator B Mk II
The first combat ready B-24. The modifications included a three foot nose extension as well as a deeper aft fuselage and wider tailplane there was no direct B-24 equivalent but similar to the B-24C - built to meet British specifications with British equipment and armament. A small series of B Mk IIs were reconstructed as unarmed transports, designated the LB-30 with the USAAF. (Total production: 165)

Liberator B Mk III
B-24D variant with single .303 Browning machine gun in the nose, two in each beam position, and four in a Boulton Paul tail turret similar to that on the Lancaster, as well as, other British equipment. The Martin dorsal turret was retained. (Total: 156)

Liberator B Mk IIIA
Lend-Lease B-24Ds with American equipment and weapons.

Liberator B Mk IV
Reserved for the B-24E, but there is no record of the RAF actually receiving any.

Liberator B Mk V
B-24D modified for extra fuel capacity at the cost or armor, with the same armament fit as the Liberator Mk III.

Liberator B Mk VI
B-24Hs in RAF service fitted with Boulton Paul tail turrets, but retaining the rest of their armament.

Liberator B Mk VIII
RAF designation for B-24Js.
Liberator GR Mk V
B-24D modified by RAF Coastal Command for the anti-submarine role with search radar and Leigh Light. Some were fitted with eight zero-length rocket launchers, four on each wing.

Liberator GR Mk VI
B-24G/H/J type used as a long-range general reconnaissance aircraft by RAF Coastal Command.

Liberator GR Mk VIII
B-24J modified by RAF Coastal Command for the anti-submarine role.

Liberator C Mk VI

Liberator B Mk VIII converted for use as a transport.

Liberator C Mk VII
British designation for C-87.

Liberator C Mk VIII

Liberator G Mk VIII converted for use as a transport.

Liberator C Mk IX
RAF designation for the RY-3/C-87C

Category:

Education

Tags:

• colour

[KevinJKtheman]

I thought B24s had ball turrets ?



[emochiken99]

@paulandalfred my grandad was also in ww2 he was a engineer on a b-24 liberator, linken, catalina and sunderland but he died from age :(

[megatwingo]

Nice colour footage. Thumbs up!

[dumpgrump]

love that sound!!

[petrwarry]

5 *****

[SONOR4]

The B24 went through a bewildering array of marks, particularly in RAF service. Fantastic footage. There can't be much more colour footage out there of RAF Liberators.Thanks.

This one's unusual in that it has RAF roundels, a colour scheme that is possibly (?) american olive drab and neutral grey delivery colours, and Consolidated front and rear turrets. Once again thanks.

[davidmeek1981]

My grandfather, Albert Trumbly, was a radio operator on a B24 that flew over the Ploesti Oilfield raids. They were shot down and he was a P.O.W. until Patton's Army liberated them. He is still living, but in ill health, so if anyone has any questions, please feel free to ask me.

[13thLiberator]

My grandfather was on the B-24J in the Pacific. We recently flew on the only remaining airworthy liberator, a part of the collings foundation.

[Hanglands]

Always good to see something different with an RAF roundel on it!

Do we know anything about this particular ship? Year or type?

Agree with Sgtgrech, atypical Coastal Command scheme.

As always, quality colour footage Gunner.

[engcountryboy]

v pretty pane.. not a great engine noise.. but super nevertheless