Article 7016 of rec.aviation.military:
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From: jfb@usgp1.ih.att.com (Joe Baugher)
Subject: Bomber Series--Consolidated B-24 Liberator (23 of ??)
Message-ID: <CzuD4C.85C@ssbunews.ih.att.com>
Summary: B-24N, the end of the line
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Organization: AT&T
Date: Fri, 25 Nov 1994 21:02:36 GMT
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In 1943, a single B-24D-40-CO (42-40234) had been experimentally 
fitted with a single fin-and-rudder assembly as the XB-24K.  This 
experiment was so successful that in April of 1944 the USAAF decided 
that all future production Liberators would have a single vertical 
tail.  The B-24N was to have been an adaptation of this design for 
production by Ford/Willow Run.  This aircraft differed from the XB-24K 
primarily in having revised nose and tail gun positions.  The nose had 
a unique Sperry-built "ball" turret, and the tail turret was not 
unlike that on the Boeing B-17 fortress.  

The XB-24N (44-48753) was the prototype and was delivered on Nov 24, 
1944.  In addition to the XB-24N, seven YB-24Ns were completed before 
Liberator production terminated at Ford on May 31, 1945.  At this 
time, orders for 5168 Ford-built B-24N-FO bombers were cancelled.  The 
delivery of the few YB-24Ns by Ford brought the production of the 
Liberator to an end.  

Serials of B-24N Liberator

44-48753		Ford XB-24N-FO Liberator
44-52053/52059		Ford YB-24N-1-FO Liberator

Sources:

    Famous Bombers of the Second World War, William Green, 
    Doubleday, 1959.

    Liberator: America's Global Bomber, Alwyn T. Lloyd,
    Pictorial Histories Publishing Co, Inc, 1993.

    The Consolidated B-24J Liberator, Roger A. Freeman,
    Profile Publications, Inc. 1969.

    B-24 Liberator in Action, Larry Davis, Squadron/Signal Publications
    Inc, 1987.

    General Dynamics Aircraft and Their Predecesssors, John Wegg,
    Naval Institute Press, 1990.

    Consolidated B-24D-M Liberator IN USAAF-RAF-RAAF-MLD-IAF-CzechAF
    and CNAF Service, Ernest R. McDowell, Arco, 1970. 

    United States Military Aircraft Since 1909, Gordon Swanborough
    and Peter M. Bowers, Smithsonian, 1989.

    American Combat Planes, 3rd Enlarged Edition, Ray Wagner,
    Doubleday, 1982.

    Jane's American Fighting Aircraft of the 20th Century,  Michael
    J.H. Taylor, Mallard Press.


Joe Baugher			  **************************************
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