Article 3241 of rec.aviation.military:
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From: jfb@usgp1.ih.att.com (Joe Baugher)
Subject: Bomber Series--Consolidated B-24 Liberator (4 of ??)
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Summary: B-24A for USAAF
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Date: Sun, 9 Oct 1994 18:18:27 GMT
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The USAAF took delivery of its first B-24As in June of 1941.  Only 
nine B-24As were actually delivered to the USAAF, all between June 16 
and July 10, 1941.  The serials were 40-2369/2377.  The remainder of 
the B-24As on the original order were either diverted to Britain or 
were converted on the assembly line to later variants such as the 
B-24C and B-24D.  The B-24A was generally similar to the RAF's 
Liberator I, except for its armament of four 0.5-inch machine guns plus 
twin 0.3-inch guns in the tail.  

These aircraft were used by the USAAC in much the same role as the RAF 
used the LB-30A--primarily as long-range transports.  The Ferry 
Command B-24s were painted in the early RAF-style camouflage of dark 
earth and dark green over black undersides.  However, during this 
immediate pre-war era, these planes carried large American flags 
painted on the sides of their forward fuselages and on the top of the 
fuselage, hopefully indicative of neutrality should they enter a 
combat zone.  Two B-24As (40-2373 and 40-2374) were used to transport 
the Harriman Mission to Moscow in September of 1941 via the United 
Kingdom.  The last leg of the flight to Moscow involved a nonstop 
distance of 3150 miles, and from Moscow one of the USAAC B-24As 
continued on around the globe via the Middle East, India, Singapore, 
Darwin, Port Moresby, Wake Island, Hawaii, and back to Washington.  
The other B-24A returned to the USA via Cairo, Africa, the South 
Atlantic, and Brazil.  

Two other USAAF B-24As had been earmarked for a secret spy flight over 
Japanese bases in the South Pacific while enroute to the Philippines.  
However, the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor took place before this 
flight could be carried out.  One of the B-24As earmarked for this 
flight was, in fact, destroyed on the ground at Hickam field during 
the attack.  

In April of 1942, Consolidated agreed to act as a contractor to the 
USAAF to provide an airlift for the return of ferry crews that were 
involved in transferring aircraft to the Pacific.  The service, named 
Consolidated Airways, or Consairways for short, used a collection of 
early-model Liberators as transports.  Known serials of B-24As used by 
Consairways include 40-2369,2372, and 2375.  In addition, some LB-30s 
and C-87s were also used by this rather unusual airline.  

40-2369/2377	Consolidated B-24A Liberator.

Specification of the Consolidated B-24A Liberator:  

Four Pratt & Whitney R-1830-33 (S3C4-G) Twin Wasp fourteen-cylinder 
air-cooled radials rated at 1200 hp for takeoff and 1000 hp at 14,500 
feet.  
Performance:  Maximum speed 292.5 mph at 15,000 feet.  Cruising speed 
228 mph.  Landing speed 92 mph.  Service ceiling 30,500 feet.  An 
altitude of 10,000 feet could be attained in 5.6 minutes.  Range was 
2200 miles with a 4000 pound bombload.  Maximum range was 4000 miles.  
Weights:  30,000 pounds empty, 39,350 pounds gross, 53,600 pounds 
maximum.  Dimensions:  Wingspan 110 feet 0 inches, length 63 feet 9 
inches, height 18 feet 8 inches, wing area 1048 square feet.  
Armed with single 0.50-inch flexible machine gun in each of nose, 
belly, and left and right waist positions.  An additional pair of 
0.30-inch machine guns was installed in the tail position.  

Sources:  

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

    British Military Aircraft Serials, 1912-1969, Bruce Robertson,
    Ian Allen, 1969.

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

    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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