Consolidated B-24 Liberator. Photo. Characteristics.
USA
A type: chetyrehdvigatelny heavy bomber
Crew: Ten people
The Liberator (Liberator) was created by the Consolidated company on the proposal of the US Air Force. According to the flight characteristics of the aircraft was supposed to exceed B-17. Having received the designation Model 32 from his manufacturer, the bomber was created in almost record time using the new Davis wing (with a large scope and low resistance). The army was so impressed with the pace of work on the project that it ordered 36 aircraft long before the prototype lifted to the sky. The French procurement mission was also commissioned to buy 120 bombers, these aircraft, after surrendering France in 1940, were handed over to the UK.
The name "Liberator" was invented by the people of Anch. The Royal Front Air Defense Command aircraft were the first of this type to engage in military operations over the Atlantic in the middle of 1941. Production of aircraft reached a maximum level after the appearance of the modification of B-24D. It was this modification that was sent to the Middle East and to Europe in 1942-1943 years. On all five assembly lines, this modification was replaced by the most successful of all B-24 J aircraft, which was built in the amount of 6678 aircraft. The Liberator was also used by the US Navy under the designation PB4Y and the Royal Air Force in the Far East.
By the end of production in May 31 1945 years 18475 all aircraft were built, making it the most large-batch American aircraft during the Second World War. Three aircraft were kept in a state of airworthiness until today, all of them are in the United States.
Basic data
Dimensions:
- Length: 20,47 m
- Wingspan: 33,53 m
- Height: 5,49 m
Power point: four engine R-1830-65 «Twin Wasp" Company "Pratt- Whitney"
Power: 4800 l. from. (3580 kW) total
Aircraft performance characteristics:
- Maximum speed: 467 km / h
- Range: 3380 km
The weight:
- BLANK: 16 556 kg
- Maximum take-off: 32 296 kg
Date of first flight:
- 29 декабря 1939 года
The surviving airworthy modifications:
- 30A and LB-B-24J