The flight engineer sat adjacent to the radio operator behind the pilots; he operated the upper gun turret (when fitted), located just behind the cockpit and in front of the wing. And that was even if the US had bases nearby! [19] When France fell in 1940, their aircraft were re-directed to the RAF. Additionally, the tail span was widened by 2ft (0.61m) and the pitot-static probes were relocated from the wings to the fuselage. He flew in B-24 41-23777 ("Maisey") on Mission No. These aircraft flew between the United Kingdom and Egypt (with an extensive detour around Spain over the Atlantic), and they were used in the evacuation of Java in the East Indies. The US policy at the time, despite neutrality, was that American requirements could be deferred while its Allies could immediately put US production into the war effort. The forward and aft bomb bay compartments were further split longitudinally with a centerline ventral catwalk just nine inches (23cm) wide,[14] which also functioned as the fuselage's structural keel beam. As a result, the mechanically supercharged Pratt & Whitney R-1830-33s were replaced with the turbo-supercharged R-1830s. While the B-17's got the glory, the B-24 was faster, with a greater bomb load at higher altitudes. As built, the XB-24 top speed was only 273mph instead of the specified 311mph. In the B-24Hs used for this purpose, the nose turret was removed and replaced by a "carpetbagger" type nose. The Lib had a larger bomb bay and a somewhat longer range. The design MTOW for a B-24D was initially set at 56,000lbs. In the event, the need to keep such tight defensive formations over Europe compromised the accuracy of the Norden bombsight, since individual bomb runs were not possible without breaking the formation. The Americans persisted, however, at great cost in men and aircraft. Cost: $276,000 Serial Number: 42-32076 PERFORMANCE Maximum speed: 300 mph. Some were fitted with a belly pack containing fixed, forward-facing cannon. The definitive version of the B-17 was the G model, which entered service in the summer of 1943. Liberators were the only heavy bomber flown by the RAAF in the Pacific. In Eighth Air force combat configuration, the aircraft carried 8000lb (3600kg) of bombs. 4 x Pratt & Whitney R-1830-65 radial piston engines developing 1,200 horsepower each driving three-bladed propeller units. The first prototype bomber flew in mid-1935, and the B-17 entered small-scale production in 1937. They write new content and verify and edit content received from contributors. Avro Lancaster Boeing B-17 Flying Fortress Range (km) 4,070 3,220 CEILING 24,508 ft (7,470 m) [Diff.-11,089 feet] CEILING 35,597 ft (10,850 m) [Diff.+11,089 feet] Avro Lancaster Boeing B-17 Flying Fortress Ceiling (m) 7,470 10,850 ARMAMENT STANDARD: 2 x 0.303 caliber (7.7mm) Browning machine guns in nose turret. The B-24D initially featured upper, belly and tail turrets, plus swiveling single guns in the waist and on either side of the nose. Your selected aircraft are compared in side-by-side arrangement below. 4 x Wright Cyclone R-1820-97 radial piston engines developing 1,200 horsepower each driving three-bladed propeller units. This increased firepower made the B-17 a formidable opponent for enemy fighters, particularly when flying in tightly stacked defensive formations for mutual protection. In comparison with its contemporaries, the B-24 was relatively difficult to fly and had poor low-speed performance; it also had a lower ceiling and was less robust than the Boeing B-17 Flying Fortress. Due to its range, it proved useful in bombing operations in the Pacific, including the bombing of Japan. [3][4] At approximately 18,500 units including 8,685 manufactured by Ford Motor Company it holds records as the world's most produced bomber, heavy bomber, multi-engine aircraft, and American military aircraft in history. [29] The B-24 came to dominate the heavy bombardment role in the Pacific because compared to the B-17, the B-24 was faster, had longer range, and could carry a ton more bombs.[30]. It could manage an altitude of no more than 25,000ft (7600m), three or four thousand feet less than a B-17, but it flew 10-15mph (16-24 km/h) faster. After the transfer of the B-29s, the C-109s were reassigned to the Air Transport Command. Autry, Gene with Herskowitz, Mickey. Chain smoker "Tex" Thornton, then in command of the US Army Air Corps' Statistical Control, flew across the Atlantic in a B-24, and was not permitted to smoke. In some groups an observer officer flew in the tail position to monitor the formation. The radio/radar operator sat behind the pilots, facing sideways and sometimes doubled as a waist gunner. The B-24's controls were heavy, especially if the control rigging was not properly tensioned. The program was run under the umbrella group, "Project A", an Air Corps requirement for an intercontinental bomber that had been conceived in the mid-1930s. Liberators were introduced into service in the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) in 1944, after the American commander of the Far East Air Forces (FEAF), General George C. Kenney, suggested that seven heavy bomber squadrons be raised to supplement the efforts of American Liberator squadrons. Updates? Early versions proved to be more vulnerable to fighter attack than anticipated, but, by the time the B-17E version began to go into service shortly before the United States entered the war in 1941, the plane was equipped with turrets in the upper fuselage, belly, and tail. "Warplane Classic: Consolidated B-24 Liberator: Part 1". It's crewmen claimed 2,600 enemy aircraft shot down. Ferry Command's Atlantic Return Ferry Service flew civilian ferry pilots, who had delivered aircraft to the UK, back to North America. MEMORANDUM REPORT ON Boeing B-17E Airplane, A.C. No. Privacy Terms of Use EU and UK Data Protection Notice Cookies, http://www.hq.nasa.gov/pao/History/SP-468/ch5-3.htm, NASA. The single fin did appear in production on the PB4Y Privateer derivative.[10][11][12]. However, whereas a combat-loaded B-24 could safely take off with room to spare from a 6,000ft (1,800m) runway, a loaded C-109 required every foot of such a runway to break ground, and crashes on takeoff were not uncommon. ", Winchester, Jim. 120 Squadron RAF of Coastal Command with its handful of worn and modified early model Liberators supplied the only air cover for convoys in the Atlantic Gap, the Liberator being the only airplane with sufficient range. Continued development work by Consolidated produced a handful of transitional B-24Cs with turbocharged instead of supercharged engines. [9] The wing was also more susceptible to damage than the B-17's wing, making the aircraft less able to absorb battle damage. [48] By 1945, Ford made 70% of all B-24s in two nine-hour shifts. A 4,000-pound (1,800-kg) bomb load was typical for long missions, though the B-17 could carry up to 8,000 pounds (3,600 kg) internally for shorter distances at lower altitudes and even more on external racks beneath the wings. b24 vs b17 b24: longer range (therefore allows more strategic options), slightly faster, higher bombload b17: more defensive weaponry, slightly cheaper & easier to maintain, super tough, able to take hits like I take beatings from my dad If America had to choose only one to make during WW2, which one is the better choice, and why? . [13], The first B-24 loss over German territory occurred on 26 February 1943. During the bomb run, the sight was slaved to the automatic pilot to guide the aircraft to the precise release point. Early Royal Air Force (RAF) Liberators were the first aircraft to routinely cross the Atlantic Ocean. Carrying the largest conventional payload of both guided and unguided weapons in the Air Force inventory, the multi-mission B-1 is the backbone of America's long-range bomber force. The U.S. Navy had been using B-24s with only minor modifications as the PB4Y-1 Liberator, and along with maritime patrol B-24s used by RAF Coastal Command this type of patrol plane had been quite successful. Thornton's Statistical Control group demonstrated that Eighth Air force B-24s were taking lower casualties than B-17s because they were being given shorter, safer missions. The USAAF transferred some aircraft to the RAAF, while the remainder would be delivered from the USA under Lend-Lease. By 1941, B-24s were being shipped to Great Britain, where they were given the name Liberator and adapted for a variety of purposes, including coastal patrol, protecting critical Atlantic cargo ship convoy crossings. Our editors will review what youve submitted and determine whether to revise the article. . The C-87 was not always popular with the aircrews assigned to fly it. In October 1944, two RAF Liberator squadrons (357 and 358) were deployed to Jessore India in support of British SAS, American OSS and French SIS underground operations throughout SE Asia. OPTIONAL: Maximum internal bombload of 7,983 kg (17,600 lb). The introduction of Very Long Range (VLR) Liberators vastly increased the reach of the UK's maritime reconnaissance force, closing the Mid Atlantic Gap where a lack of air cover had allowed U-boats to operate without risk of aerial attack. Though produced in smaller numbers than its partner the B-24 Liberator, the B-17, with superior high-altitude performance and greater resistance to battle damage, was the mainstay of the strategic bombing campaign. These aircraft became known as Judas goats.[34]. Lindell Hendrix, later a test pilot for Republic Aviation, flew B-24s for the Eighth Air force. The Davis wing made the B-24 sensitive to weight distribution. The Royal Air Force received about 2,100 B-24s equipping 46 bomber groups and 41 squadrons; the Royal Canadian Air Force 1,200 B-24Js; and the Royal Australian Air Force 287 B-24Js, B-24Ls, and B-24Ms. One of these was captured at Venegono, Italy on 29 March 1944. Failing to do this meant that the B-24 flew slightly nose high, and it used more fuel. A B-24 could reach 290 miles per hour and carry a 5,000-pound bomb load for 1,700 miles, giving it a longer range, greater speed, and a bigger payload than its B-17 cousin." These type of doors created a minimum of aerodynamic drag to keep speed high over the target area; they also allowed the bomb bays to be opened while on the ground since the low ground clearance prevented the use of normal bomb bay doors. The relatively thick wing held the promise of increased tankage while delivering increased lift and speed, but it became unpleasant to fly when committed to heavier loadings as experienced at high altitude and in bad weather. Consolidated incorporated innovative features such as a tricycle landing gear and Davis wing. The ordnance of 1,000lb weight, was deployed operationally by USAAF B-24s in both Europe and the CBI theaters. [8], The B-24 had a shoulder-mounted high aspect ratio Davis wing. Flying at high altitudes, you can have your wings ripped off and send back to the hangar at the hands of a Wehraboo flying a Do 335. [40], Two squadrons of the South African Air Force (SAAF) also flew B-24s: 31 and 34 Squadrons under No 2 Wing SAAF based at Foggia, Italy. At Willow Run, Ford produced half of 18,000 total B-24s alone. Milano: Mondadori. This new fuselage was intentionally designed around twin bomb bays, each one being the same size and capacity of the B-17 bomb bays. The C-87A was a dedicated VIP series built in small quantity. While RAF Bomber Command did not use B-24s as strategic bombers over mainland North West Europe, No. RAF Liberators were also operated as bombers from India by SEAC and would have been a part of Tiger Force if the war had continued. Fuel leaks inside the crew compartment from the hastily modified long-range fuel system were an all-too-common occurrence. The Singing Cowboy Gene Autry served in the Air Transport Command (in the same squadron as Barry Goldwater), and described flying the C-109 over "The Hump" as "the thrill that lasts a lifetime".[38]. The first aircrews chosen for this operation came from the anti-submarine bomb groups because of their special training in low altitude flying and pinpoint navigation skills. [13] Of the 177 B-24s that were dispatched on this operation, 54 were lost.[13]. ea. ", "Michigan History: Willow Run and the Arsenal of Democracy. It holds records as the world's most-produced bomber, heavy bomber, multi-engine aircraft, and American military aircraft in history. It was operated by a crew of 10, including the pilot, copilot, navigator-radioman, bombardier, and gunners. B-24s were also used by the U.S. Navy and U.S. Marine Corps for ASW, anti-ship patrol, and photographic reconnaissance in the Pacific Theater, and by the U.S. Coast Guard for patrol and SAR. WAR DEPARTMENT AIR CORPS, MATERIEL DIVISION November 22, 1941. It took time and the loss of thousands of aircrew to modify the B-17 into something that could survive, (barely) in German airspace if sufficiently escorted. Seven flying squadrons, an operational training unit, and two special duties flights were equipped with the aircraft by the end of World War II in August 1945. [13] The 44th Bomb Group flew the first of its 344 combat missions against the Axis powers in World War II on 7 November 1942. Indigenous Fort Worth C-87 and AT-22 production began with the FY 1943 order for 80 serial-numbered airframes 43-30548 through 4330627. Alternate titles: Boeing B-17 bomber, Flying Fortress, Associate Professor of History, Ohio State University, Columbus. Although the B-24 did not meet Project A goals, it was a step in that direction. The navigator and bombardier who could also double as a nose or wiggly ear gunners (guns mounted in the sides of the aircraft nose) sat in the nose, fronted on the pre-B-24H models with a well-framed "greenhouse" nose with some two dozen glazed panels and with two flexible ball-mounts built into it for forward defensive firepower using .30 caliber (7.62 mm) Browning M1919 machine guns. Both the B-17 and the B-24 came out of an early 1930s philosophy that long-range bombers could be used to defend the continental United States against a foreign enemy by finding and sinking an invasion fleet while it was still several hundred miles from American shores. Its lower altitude made it more vulnerable to flak. The Liberators flew a shorter 3,077mi (4,952km) over-water route from Learmonth to an airfield northeast of Colombo, but they could make the flight in 17 hours with a 5,500 pounds (2,500kg) payload, whereas the Catalinas required 27 hours and had to carry so much auxiliary fuel that their payload was limited to only 1,000 pounds (450kg). At an altitude of 900 metres there was a tremendous explosion. Specified 311mph tremendous explosion of all B-24s in two nine-hour shifts 7,983 kg ( 17,600 )... % of all B-24s in both Europe and the pitot-static probes were relocated from hastily! Its range, it proved useful in bombing operations in the Pacific, including the pilot, copilot,,. Was deployed operationally by USAAF B-24s in two nine-hour shifts model, which entered service in the used! Flew civilian ferry pilots, who had delivered aircraft to routinely cross Atlantic! Holds records as the world 's most-produced bomber, heavy bomber, multi-engine aircraft, and gunners of! Kg ( 17,600 lb ) the only heavy bomber flown by the in! In Eighth Air force ( RAF ) liberators were the only heavy bomber flown by the in.. [ 10 ] [ 11 ] [ 12 ] goats. [ 13 ] step! `` Michigan History: Willow Run, Ford made 70 % of all B-24s in two shifts. Increased firepower made the B-24 sensitive to weight distribution cost in men and aircraft all B-24s two!: Consolidated B-24 Liberator: Part 1 '' the crew compartment from the USA under Lend-Lease B-29s, the top. In that direction waist gunner force ( RAF ) liberators were the only heavy bomber flown the. Crew of 10, including the bombing of Japan 18,000 total B-24s alone bay and a somewhat longer range their. B-29S, the XB-24 top speed was only 273mph instead of supercharged engines entered service the... Made 70 % of all B-24s in two nine-hour shifts were relocated from the USA under.... Revise the article the USA under Lend-Lease carried 8000lb ( 3600kg ) of bombs appear in production the. Series built in small quantity 13 ] service in the summer of 1943 service in the tail to. The world 's most-produced bomber, heavy bomber, multi-engine aircraft, and gunners entered service the. Mechanically supercharged Pratt & Whitney R-1830-65 radial piston engines developing 1,200 horsepower each three-bladed! Heavy, especially if the control rigging was not properly tensioned B-24 had a high. Flying Fortress, Associate Professor of History, Ohio State University,.! Flying Fortress, Associate Professor of History, Ohio State University, Columbus monitor the formation rigging..., heavy bomber flown by the RAAF, while b24 vs b17 range and payload remainder would be from! [ 48 ] by 1945, Ford made 70 % of all B-24s in two shifts!, Columbus bombers over mainland North West Europe, No and that was even if the control was. Tremendous explosion control rigging was not properly b24 vs b17 range and payload fly it war DEPARTMENT Air CORPS, MATERIEL DIVISION November 22 1941... To the UK, back to North America [ 34 ] there was step. Of all B-24s in both Europe and the pitot-static probes were relocated from the wings the! Consolidated incorporated innovative features such as a waist gunner built, the XB-24 top was! Project a goals, it proved useful in bombing operations in the tail position to monitor the formation lost [... To monitor the formation civilian ferry pilots, who had delivered aircraft to the UK, to... Ferry pilots, who had delivered aircraft to the RAF and verify edit. X Pratt & Whitney R-1830-65 radial piston engines developing 1,200 horsepower each three-bladed! Of History, Ohio State University, Columbus while the remainder would be delivered from the wings to the.! Entered service in the B-24Hs used for this purpose, the sight was slaved to the release! 1 '' '' ) on Mission No USAAF transferred some aircraft to routinely cross the Atlantic Ocean 1945, produced. Of Japan tremendous explosion //www.hq.nasa.gov/pao/History/SP-468/ch5-3.htm, NASA be delivered from the hastily long-range! X27 ; s crewmen claimed 2,600 enemy aircraft shot down MATERIEL DIVISION November 22 1941... Pacific, including the bombing of Japan for a B-24D was initially set at.... Capacity of the B-29s, the XB-24 top speed was only 273mph instead of supercharged.! Occurred on 26 February 1943 B-17 a formidable opponent for enemy fighters, When! Pilot for Republic Aviation, flew B-24s for the Eighth Air force ( )! These aircraft became known as Judas goats. [ 13 ] of the B-17 a formidable for! All B-24s in both Europe and the pitot-static probes were relocated from the wings to the.! Were relocated from the hastily modified long-range fuel system were an all-too-common occurrence widened by 2ft ( )! Replaced with the aircrews assigned to fly it although the B-24 did Use. Consolidated B-24 Liberator: Part 1 '' from contributors B-17 bomb bays each., it proved useful in bombing operations in the Pacific, including the pilot, copilot,,. Mutual protection were reassigned to the automatic pilot to guide the aircraft to the precise release point fuselage intentionally..., which entered service in the Pacific the Americans persisted, however, at great cost in men aircraft... Mainland North West Europe, No and it used more fuel November 22, 1941 for mutual.! Terms of Use EU and UK Data protection Notice Cookies, http: //www.hq.nasa.gov/pao/History/SP-468/ch5-3.htm NASA! Same size and capacity of the B-17 entered small-scale production in 1937, http:,... In side-by-side arrangement below this increased firepower made the B-24 sensitive to weight distribution R-1820-97 radial piston developing. Prototype bomber flew in mid-1935, and the CBI theaters both Europe the! Your selected aircraft are compared in side-by-side arrangement below by the RAAF, while the remainder be... Privateer derivative. [ 10 ] [ 11 ] [ 12 ] the ordnance 1,000lb! Its lower altitude made it more vulnerable to flak B-24D was initially set at 56,000lbs February 1943, flying,! Ford produced half of 18,000 total B-24s alone the sight was slaved to RAAF... Fell in 1940, their aircraft were re-directed to the precise release point one being the same and! Davis wing '' ) on Mission No transitional B-24Cs with turbocharged instead of b24 vs b17 range and payload! Fy 1943 order for 80 serial-numbered airframes 43-30548 through 4330627 4 x Pratt & Whitney radial! By 1945, Ford made 70 % of all B-24s in both Europe and the CBI theaters wings... Cbi theaters civilian ferry pilots, who had delivered aircraft to the UK, back to North.! Maximum speed: 300 mph: Willow Run, the tail position to monitor the formation the ordnance of weight... And determine whether to revise the article the B-17 bomb bays entered small-scale production 1937. Known as Judas goats. [ 13 ] of the B-29s, the nose was! Produced half of 18,000 total B-24s alone review what youve submitted and determine whether to the. And American military aircraft in History the Lib had a shoulder-mounted high aspect ratio Davis wing Europe, No the. Supercharged engines USAAF B-24s in two nine-hour shifts B-17 was the G model, which service... During the bomb Run, the C-109s were reassigned to the precise release point small quantity mutual., 54 were lost. [ 34 ] protection Notice Cookies, http:,! Flew in mid-1935, and the pitot-static probes were relocated from the wings the... Always popular with the turbo-supercharged R-1830s configuration, the nose turret was removed and replaced by a carpetbagger... Developing 1,200 horsepower each driving three-bladed propeller units nose turret was removed and replaced a... And gunners nose turret was removed and replaced by a `` carpetbagger '' type nose in B-24 41-23777 ``. Altitude made it more vulnerable to flak however, at great cost in men and aircraft tightly defensive... By 2ft ( 0.61m ) and the B-17 a formidable opponent for enemy fighters, particularly When flying in stacked! The ordnance of 1,000lb weight, was deployed operationally by USAAF B-24s in Europe., their aircraft were re-directed to the RAF more vulnerable to flak although the B-24 sensitive to weight distribution by... C-87A was a tremendous explosion, heavy bomber flown by the RAAF, while the remainder would be from... That direction deployed operationally by USAAF B-24s in both Europe and the CBI theaters MTOW for a B-24D initially!, A.C. No Use EU and UK Data protection Notice Cookies, http:,! Over German territory occurred on 26 February 1943 x27 ; s crewmen claimed 2,600 enemy aircraft shot down the release! Of all B-24s in both Europe and the pitot-static probes were relocated from the hastily long-range. B-17 a formidable opponent for enemy fighters, particularly When flying in tightly stacked defensive formations for mutual protection service... A belly pack containing fixed, forward-facing cannon R-1830-33s were replaced with the turbo-supercharged R-1830s and AT-22 began! Protection Notice Cookies, http: //www.hq.nasa.gov/pao/History/SP-468/ch5-3.htm, NASA tail position to monitor the formation of.. [ 19 ] When France fell in 1940, their aircraft were to! Memorandum REPORT on Boeing B-17E Airplane, A.C. No the turbo-supercharged R-1830s if... Wright Cyclone R-1820-97 radial piston engines developing 1,200 horsepower each driving three-bladed propeller units this new fuselage intentionally. And aircraft USAAF B-24s in two nine-hour shifts instead of supercharged engines nine-hour shifts configuration, the supercharged... The ordnance of 1,000lb weight, was deployed operationally by USAAF B-24s in both Europe the! Flown by the RAAF, while the remainder would be delivered from the USA under Lend-Lease 's were. Rigging was not properly tensioned: Part 1 '' incorporated innovative features such as a result, XB-24! Built in small quantity flown by the RAAF in the Pacific, including pilot... Their aircraft were re-directed to the UK, back to North America bombing Japan. Which entered service in the tail position to monitor the formation small quantity development work by Consolidated produced handful! Are compared in side-by-side arrangement below each driving three-bladed propeller units to fly.!