NOTE:
RADIO CONTROL AIRPLANES ARE ON THE BOTTOM HALF OF THE
PAGE.
Consolidated B-24 Liberator aircraft were an example of the power of American manufacturing during World War II.
Consolidated received an initial order from the U. S. government on March 30, 1939 and the first aircraft rolled off their assembly line just eight months later.
Manufacturing went into high gear after the war began, with Consolidated producing over 19,000 B-24 aircraft. At the height of production, one B-24 rolled off of the assembly line every 63 minutes. More B-24 aircraft were produced than any other bomber in the world.
Unique to a heavy bomber at the time was a tricycle landing gear. The high aspect ratio wing of the B-24 aided speed and maneuverability at a cost of maximum altitude. This put the B-24 into range of more anti aircraft fire than the Boeing B-17. The wing design of the B-24 originated from the Consolidated PBY Catalina.
The B-24 saw its first combat in September of 1942 in the European theatre when assigned to the Eighth Air Force. Eventually about 3,800 B-24 aircraft would be assigned to the group. By the end of the war, over 1,200 of those aircraft would be downed over enemy territory.
In addition to its use as a heavy bomber, the B-24 was also used for antisubmarine warfare, where it was recognized for its long range offensive abilities. The British Coastal Command took its first deliveries of B-24 aircraft in 1941 where they operated against German U-boats.
A single tail version of the B-24 was used by the United States Navy during World War II. It was designated the PB4Y-2 Privateer.
In additional to the single tail, a major difference between the B-24 and PB4Y-2 was a seven foot longer fuselage. Due to its low altitude operations, the engines of the aircraft were not turbocharged.
A total of 736 Privateers were delivered between July 1944 and the end of the World War II.
Privateer aircraft were again employed for coastal patrol during the Korean War, flying a multitude of missions.
Redesignated the P4Y-2, the Privateer was used during the Cold War as an electronic intelligence gathering aircraft.
The U.S. Coast Guard used Privateer aircraft for search and rescue operations. Their Coast Guard designation was P4Y-2G.
After the were retired from military service in the early1960’s a number of Privateer aircraft were converted to air tankers. They were modified to have a 2,000 gallon retardant tank added in their bellies.
Not a Radio Control Airplane
PB4Y-2 Privateer
RC Airplane from Precision Cut Kits.