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Liberator B-24A Specifications |
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Year built
Length
Wingspan
Tail height
Crew
Gross weight
Fuel capacity |
1941
66 feet 4 inches
110 feet
17 feet 11 inches
10
58,000 lbs
3,000 gallons |
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Fuel burn
Oil capacity
Horsepower
Top speed
Cruise speed
Range
Ceiling
Engines
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200 gallons per hour
68 gallons each engine
1200 each engine
275mph
200mph
15 hours / 3000 miles
25,000 feet
4 Pratt & Whitney
1830-94 |
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Bomb capacity: 8,000 lbs of bombs
Nose Gun Top Gun Tunnel Gun Left &
Right Waist Gun Tail Gun |
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The Liberator saw service with the following groups |
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5th Air Force
Australia |
15th Air Force - Europe |
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8th Air Force
Europe |
9th Air Force
Africa |
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11th Air Force
Aleutians |
13TH Air Force Far
East |
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14th Air Force China |
15th Air Force - Europe |
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The
Liberator was also flown by the Air Forces of: |
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Australia |
Great Britain |
Canada |
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China |
India |
Netherlands |
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South Africa |
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Yugoslavia |
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The Consolidated-built heavy bomber
reached higher production than any other U. S. World
War II combat aircraft. Over 18,000 of these
versatile four-engine bombers were built for the U.S.
Army Air Corps, Navy, and Allies from 1939-1945 by
Consolidated plants in San Diego and Fort Worth, by
Henry Ford at Willow Run, MI, and by North American at
Dallas. More B-24s were
produced than any other allied
combat aircraft. The B-24 went through many
modifications which added armor, power-operated gun
turrets, self-sealing gasoline tanks, and armament to
the original model. The B-24 was not only used as a
bomber but as a tanker and transport, and in its many
configurations saw duty in all theaters of the war
including the ice and snow of the Aleutian Islands,
the sand and winds of North Africa, and the heat and
humidity of the tropics. In all cases the aircraft
adapted to the area and performed the many tasks
given. It was used most in the Mediterranean and
Pacific, where longer range gave it an edge over the
B-17. This range made it particularly useful in the
Pacific for search missions for downed airmen. Probably
the best description that can be given the versatile
B-24 is, WORK HORSE EXTRAORDINAIRE. |
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This aircraft, built in
May 1941, is the 25th B-24
produced by Consolidated Aircraft at their
San Diego facility. The British and French had ordered a
large number of the aircraft in
1939 and 1940 before
the Army Air Corps had taken delivery of any production
aircraft. With the fall of France to Germany, the
British picked up the French order of 6 LB-30As. These
aircraft were diverted from the YB-24 service test
program leaving 1 YB-24 for a test aircraft. The next
20 B-24A aircraft were produced for the Army Air Corps,
but were diverted to the British and redesignated the
LB-30B, also called the Liberator 1. AM-927 (Army Air
Corps serial number 40-2366) is the 18th
aircraft of that order of 20.
On a training flight from Eagles Nest
Airport, N.M., prior to its delivery to England, AM-927
experienced a landing accident. The damage was major
enough that the aircraft had to be returned to San Diego
for repairs. The plane was deleted from the order to be
shipped to England and was converted to a transport
aircraft. This was to be the prototype for the C-87
transport and AM-927 served as a flying test bed for
further development of important B-24 features, such as
modifying the control surfaces to help with lighter
control forces for the pilots.
During the war
Ol 927, as she was known by her crews,
flew scheduled runs between San Diego, Fort Worth, New
York, and Washington D.C. For six months she served
Consolidated by carrying critically needed parts between
San Diego and the Fort Worth
plant. She carried various American and
foreign dignitaries within the U.S. At the end of the
war she was sold to Continental Can Co. and, after
receiving a well-appointed interior, was flown as an
executive aircraft for about 10 years. She was then sold
to Petroleos Mexicanos (PEMEX), an oil company in
Mexico, and made many trips through Central America and
to the U.S. In 1969
the aircraft was purchased by the
Commemorative Air Force.
In 1971 she was painted in the colors and markings of
the 98th Bomb Group, Pyramiders of the 9th Air Force in
North Africa, and was named
"Diamond Lil". The 98th BG is known for its
participation in the initial raids on the Ploesti oil
refineries.
A major conversion project began in 2006, to restore her
to her original 1941 B-24A
bomber configuration; plus factory camouflage
paint scheme and new 'Ol' 927 nose art. She is currently
based at Cavanaugh Flight
Museum, Addison, TX, through the generosity
of Jim Cavanaugh.
Ol 927 is operated and maintained entirely by
volunteers. We rely on the support of individuals,
communities, and corporations like you, to help offset
the high operational costs required to keep these rare,
historic aircraft flying for future generations, that we
may honor Freedom and the Americans who built, serviced
and flew them. Donations, small and large, are
appreciated. Flight Experiences are available for a
tax-deductible donation.
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For information on how you can help
support the CAF B-24,
Contact the B-29/B-24 Squadron: 432.413.4100 or
b24rides@gmail.com.
Keep 'em flying! |
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B-29 / B-24 Squadron
of the Commemorative Air Force
A 501(c)(3) nonprofit aviation association
Dedicated to Honoring American Military Aviation,
through Flight, Exhibition and Remembrance |
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