Air Power Series>1:144 die-cast display model>B-24>HA9104

General Background

The B-24 was the most produced American bomber in WWII. The demand was so great that Consolidated was unable to keep up so contracts were awarded to Douglas, Ford and North American. The D variant became the most numerous with 2,698. The design of the B-24 allowed it to carry the same payload as the Boeing B-17 and do it faster and further. Compared to the sleek look of the B-17 the B-24 looked awkward and B-17 crews referred to it as "the crate the B-17 was shipped in"

The Aircraft

On September 15, 1941 VP-83 was formed at Dunkeswell, England and renamed VB- 107 on May 15, 1943 at NAS Norfolk, Virginia. Here they received the Army B-24D Liberator that the USN designated PB4Y-1. Between June and July 1943 VB-107 transferred to Natal, Brazil. The task for VB-107 was to patrol off the coast of Brazil in search of German submarines and to destroy them when located. VB-107 became VPB-107 in October 1944. PB4Y-1 32057 ex USAAF 42-40572 “Subduer” remained in service until July 1945 when it was stricken off charge.

Specifications :

Number Produced:	2,698
Crew:	7 / 10
Dimensions:
Length:	66 ft 4 ins
Wingspan:	110 ft
Height:	17 ft 11 ins
Wing Area:	1048 sq. ft
Weight:
Empty:	32,605 lbs
Gross Weight:	60,000 lbs
Performance:
Engines:	4 x Pratt & Whitney R-1830-43 supercharged radials of 1,200 hp each (takeoff power)
Maximum Speed:	303 mph
Cruising Speed:	200 mph
Service Ceiling:	32,000 ft.
Range:	2,850 miles
Armament:	10 × .50 caliber (12.7 mm) M2 Browning machine guns
Bombs:	Short Range (400 mi) - 8,000 lb
	Long Range (800 mi) - 5,000 lb
	Very Long Range (1,200 mi) - 2,700 lb