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The '''B-24 Liberator''' was a four engine heavy bomber. It was designed by Consolidated Aircraft in California. It first flew in December 1939. The aircraft had a maximum speed of approximately 300 mph at 25,065 feet and cruising speed of 215 mph.  It had a ceiling of 28,000 feet and a range of 2,100 miles.  It was armed with ten .50 caliber Browning machine guns and a crew of 10 to 11 men, depending on the model. The B-24 serviced in all theaters of [[World War II]] including naval reconnaissance and anti-submarine warfare.

The '''B-24 Liberator''' was a four engine heavy bomber. It was designed by Consolidated Aircraft in California. It first flew in December 1939. The aircraft had a maximum speed of approximately 300 mph at 25,065 feet and cruising speed of 215 mph.  It had a ceiling of 28,000 feet and a range of 2,100 miles.  It was armed with ten .50 caliber Browning machine guns and a crew of 10 to 11 men, depending on the model. The B-24 serviced in all theaters of [[World War II]] including naval reconnaissance and anti-submarine warfare.

   

   

Although it was a more modern design and could carry a greater bomb load than the [[B-17]], it was not as sturdy in construction. They were easier to mass produce. Over half were built by Ford. At peak production, the Ford plant in Willow Run [[Michigan]] could produce a B-24 in an hour. Along with the B-17, the B-24 made up the bulk of America's strategic bombing campaign of [[Nazi Germany]] in [[World War II]].

Although it was a more modern design and could carry a greater bomb load than the [[B-17]], it was not as sturdy in construction. They were easier to mass produce. Over half were built by Ford. At peak production, the Ford plant in Willow Run [[Michigan]] could produce a B-24 in an hour. Along with the B-17, the B-24 made up the bulk of America's strategic bombing campaign of [[Nazi Germany]] in World War II.

   

   

The first model to be produced on a large scale was the B-24D. It first saw combat in April 1942.  The famous Ploesti oil refinery raids in 1943 were carried out by B-24D’s. B-24H and J versions were flown by the [[Royal Air Force]] and known as the Liberator Mk.VI. The B-24 had an internal bomb load of 8,000 lb. (or sixteen 500-pound bombs) 3630 kg and for long range missions, 5,000 lb. (2,300 kg). The last version built was the B-24M. A total of 18,482 (all types) were built. The bomber was a workhorse, with more B-24s being built then any other US combat aircraft in the Second World War.

The first model to be produced on a large scale was the B-24D. It first saw combat in April 1942.  The famous Ploesti oil refinery raids in 1943 were carried out by B-24D’s. B-24H and J versions were flown by the [[Royal Air Force]] and known as the Liberator Mk.VI. The B-24 had an internal bomb load of 8,000 lb. (or sixteen 500-pound bombs) 3630 kg and for long range missions, 5,000 lb. (2,300 kg). The last version built was the B-24M. A total of 18,482 (all types) were built. The bomber was a workhorse, with more B-24s being built then any other US combat aircraft in the Second World War.