Liberator transport aircraft. " Photo by Patrick Bunce.

Liberator transport aircraft. Aug 26, 2025 · Find many great new & used options and get the best deals for Liberator Express B24D Bomber Transport Aircraft Postcard at the best online prices at eBay! Free shipping for many products! Nov 24, 2023 · The Consolidated B-24 Liberator was an American heavy bomber flown by the RCAF during the Second Word War. Army Air Force (USAAF) requirement for a four-engined heavy bomber. A total of six aircraft were manufactured: three for the USAAF and three for the US Navy. When Army officials saw the need for transport planes early in the war, plans for the Liberator Express were drawn to utilize the B-24 Liberator bomber so that no time was lost in the production Download this stock image: The Consolidated C-87 Liberator Express was a transport aircraft used during World War II. The Allies deployed the B-24 Liberator long-range bomber to destroy the U-boats of the Reich. The B-24's design incorporated several innovative features that contributed to its effectiveness as a bomber aircraft. 109, a light utility aircraft built in France in the late 1920s CC-109 Cosmopolitan, a Canadian turboprop version of the Convairliner for use as a transport by the RCAF The B-24 Liberator The 449th Bomb Group was originally equipped with sixty-two B-24H Liberator heavy bombers. From the Navy’s most ubiquitous fighters to massive warships and large-scale troop and vehicular transport, Anvil is synonymous with space combat and military operations, due in no small part to a laser-focus on the mission at hand. In this video, Emily Charles walks us through the history and technical aspects of this iconic aircraft. XC-109/C-109 The C-109 was a dedicated fuel transport version of the B-24 conceived as a support aircraft for Boeing B-29 Superfortress operations in central China. Vanderkloot, Jr. A Consairway LB-30 Liberator (RAF Serial AL-532) sits on the Marston matting of Henderson Field, c 1944-1945. The aircraft was assigned to 120 Squadron of Coastal Command in 1942, transferring to 159 Squadron in the China-Burma-India Theatre Sep 13, 2024 · Newly delivered USAAF Consolidated C-87-CF Liberator Express transport planes at the Consolidated Aircraft Corporation, Fort Worth, Texas (USA), in October 1942. The B-24 "Liberator" is an American four-engine heavy bomber that was flown by the United States armed forces and several of its allies during World War II. The Consolidated C-87 Liberator Express was produced in response to a USAAF request for long range transport aircraft. Discover a rare photo of a B-24 Liberator (serial number 40-2351) used for transport purposes and painted in neutrality markings during World War II. More Liberators were built in World War II than any other American plane, a total of 18,188 aircraft. 38 MB Aerial Photo of Debris Explore the C-87 Liberator Express variant B-24 Liberator 'Gulliver' (Serial Number 41-11608) used for transport purposes during wartime. Early RAF Liberators were the first aircraft to cross the Atlantic Ocean as a matter of routine. Consolidated C-87 Liberator Express By Joe Baugher The first Liberator transport was converted from a B-24D [42-40355] that had been damaged in a crash landingin early 1942. May 9, 2011 · Hi All, This post may be of interest to some who are not already aware of the image below that shows an example of Deep Sky Blue* being used on a Liberator aircraft. Jan 22, 2013 · Consolidated B-24 Liberator History To the Consolidated B-24 Liberator go the distinctions of being built in greater numbers and more variants than any other U. Mar 26, 2007 · Snautzer01 Marshal 46,292 62,246 Mar 26, 2007 Consolidated C-87 Liberator Express in flight 8"x 10" World War II Photo 228 | eBay The Consolidated B-24 Liberator was an American heavy bomber, designed by Consolidated Aircraft. A total of 287 C-87s were officially delivered from Consolidated Aircraft plant in Fort Worth, Texas. You’ve probably heard about its transformation from a bomber to a transport aircraft, but this change wasn’t without its pitfalls. All bombing equipment and defensive armament were removed—the plexiglass nose replaced by a hinged sheet metal nose and the tail turret was faired over. 45 Group RAF leave their Consolidated Liberator B Mark VI on arriving at Celone, Italy, after a ferry flight from Canada. S. In 1944, the aircraft was modified to the single vertical fin configuration of the PB4Y-2 Privateer. This image captures the aircraft likely in its role during military logistics and troop transport. The first three C-87As were named Gulliver I, Gulliver II and Gulliver III. An American, Vanderkloot had already logged more than a million miles, much of it in the RAF Ferry Command. Aug 29, 2023 · A Unique Transformation It is a common practice in aviation history to convert transport aircraft into bombers to meet wartime needs. Commando disappeared over the Atlantic in 1945. II, AL504, became the personal transport of Prime Minister Winston Churchill, who named it Commando. Photo, Print, Drawing B-24 Liberator bomber and C-87 Liberator Express. jpg 1,024 × 829; 166 KB A mating operation on a transport plane just before it comes to the pre-assembly line at the Consolidated Aircraft Corporation plant, Fort Worth, Texas LCCN2017878321. All bombing equipment and defensive armament were removed the plexiglass nose replaced by a hinged sheet metal nose and the tail turret was faired over. Mar 12, 2010 · 1944 Consolidated C-87 Liberator Transport AL613 B-24 Conversion Original Photo | eBay As an eBay Associate we earn from qualifying purchases. because of its capacious fuselage, was used to carry personnel and cargo in the evacuation to Australia. This aircraft, with a tall single tail, lengthened fuselage, and other features, emerged as the PB4Y-2 Privateer. Consolidated C-87 Liberator Express (US Navy designation: RY, RAF: Liberator C. However, a lesser-known fact is that the Consolidated C-87 Liberator Express took the opposite route. Liberator II AL557 was taken on charge with the Royal Air Force on 13 October 1941. Find many great new & used options and get the best deals for Liberator Express, USA Army Military Transport Aircraft Plane, WW2, Postcard at the best online prices at eBay! Free shipping for many products! The Consolidated B-24 Liberator, a heavy bomber pivotal to the Allied effort in World War II, was designed and manufactured by Consolidated Aircraft Corporation in San Diego, California. This view looks to the South. It was used in World War II by many Allied air forces and navies, and by every branch of the American armed forces. The Consolidated C-87 Liberator Express was a transport derivative of the B-24. These were built alongside the B-24 at the Consolidated plant in Fort Worth, Texas. aircraft of World War Two, and of serving in more combat theatres, over a long period, than any heavy bomber on either side. During the Second World War the bomber was employed on long-duration bombing missions in both Europe and the Pacific. Eight of the thirteen aircraft reside in the United The Consolidated Aircraft Company created the four-engine B-24 Liberator in the early 1940s as an improvement of the Boeing B-17. Used by the US Armed Services in a variety of roles and remains a popular aircraft with many still flying today. Under the cover of darkness, the prime minister climbed aboard an American B-24 Liberator painted as black as the night sky. This aircraft’s construction was completed as serial number 18 and accepted by the British Air Ministry in May 1941. At this point the aircraft still resembled a standard B-24, but it was later modified with a solid nose and single fin. and British air forces. With over 18,500 units manufactured, the B-24 continues to hold the all-time records as the most produced heavy bomber, bomber, multi-engine aircraft Challenges and Limitations The C-87 Liberator Express faced significant challenges and limitations that hampered its effectiveness. A floor was installed in the bomb bay and waist section, rectangular windows cut into the fuselage, and 25 seats added C-87B: Projected armed transport variant with nose guns, dorsal turret, and ventral tunnel gun; never produced. . The plant also developed and delivered a USAAF flight engineer trainer designated the AT-22. It was a critical asset for the United States and Allied forces, capable of long-range missions that included strategic bombing campaigns, maritime patrols, and supply drops. It originated as the Consolidated Model 32, a major feature of which was the exceptionally high aspect ratio Jan 24, 2020 · Although primarily a heavy bomber, the Liberator was also a very effective fighter (in that it shot down something like 2,600 enemy aircraft), the leading Allied oceanic patrol and anti-submarine aircraft, and the leading Allied long-range cargo transport. The bulky Liberator had a few faults. Why was a smaller percentage of B-26 Marauder bombers shot down than the other Allied bombers? Find many great new & used options and get the best deals for Liberator Express, USA Army Military Transport Aircraft Plane, WW2, Postcard at the best online prices at eBay! Free shipping for many products! The most famous Liberator II was AL504, which was the personal transport of British Prime Minister Winston Churchill. The Consolidated PB4Y-2 Privateer was a United States Navy long range patrol bomber derived from the Consolidated B-24 Liberator. With over 18,500 units manufactured, the B-24 continues to hold the all-time records as the most produced heavy bomber, bomber, multi-engine aircraft Contracted to be built for France in 1940 and later contracted to be diverted to Great Britain as AM927, this Liberator was the 25th built out of a total of 18,482 B-24s. May 25, 2015 · The Liberator, christened Commando, was painted black for its stealthy night-time assignment. Detailed information about the C-87 aircraft, its history, and its role in military operations. The aircraft was lost during March 1945 while flying to the United States. In comparison with Find many great new & used options and get the best deals for Liberator Express, USA Army Military Transport Aircraft Plane, WW2, Postcard at the best online prices at eBay! Free shipping for many products! Feb 20, 2025 · A Unique Transformation It is a common practice in aviation history to convert transport aircraft into bombers to meet wartime needs. С-87 Liberator Express, Transport AircraftThe C-87A was the VIP version of the C-87, a luxury aircraft with only 16 passenger seats, while the aircraft could be equipped with five berths. The B-24 was powered by When the ATC required a long range transport, it turned to the Consolidated B-24 Liberator and pressed her into service as a transport plane. For starters, the C-87’s reliability was questionable at best. History: Life for the B-24 heavy bomber began in 1939, when the U. A total of 287 C-87s were delivered by Consolidated Aircraft from its plant in Fort Worth, Texas. The Consolidated LB. While PB4Y-1s distinguished themselves in the Her professional art career was launched as the Consolidated Vultee Aircraft (Convair) bomber plant opened in Fort Worth in 1942 where she became a technical illustrator working alongside other Fort Worth artists including Dickson Reeder and Kelly Fearing, preparing detailed equipment drawings for B-24 Liberator bomber and C-87 Liberator A C-87 transport plane, just off the assembly line1a34935v (cropped). See scans, Back is stamped APPROVED FOR RELEASE BY RCAF (Royal Canadian Air Force), Aeroplane Photo Supply, Toronto, Canada. The Consolidated C-109 was a fuel tanker produced from the B-24 Liberator and mainly used on the 'hump' between India and China. Thanks to the Liberator’s ability to cruise at high speeds and carry heavy bomb loads, it quickly became one of the critical workhorses of the US Army Air Forces during World War II. The first Liberator transport was converted from a B-24D [42-40355] that had been damaged in a crash landingin early 1942. The first stage in the conversion was to Nov 24, 2023 · The Consolidated B-24 Liberator was an American heavy bomber flown by the RCAF during the Second Word War. It required considerable strength to handle the controls. The Consolidated B-24 Liberator was produced in larger numbers than any other American military aircraft, and was the first American aircraft to enter mass production, but despite this the Liberator is still less well known than the Boeing B-17 Flying Fortress or the B-29 Superfortress. , who had just delivered it across the Atlantic. tif 9,068 × 7,338; 190. The aircraft was piloted by William J. The aircraft were flown directly to the Italian theatre to equip the newly-formed No. The Consolidated Aircraft Corporation, led by designer David Davis, answered the call by developing the B-24, a long-range heavy bomber that became synonymous with American air power. Converted former C-87s were the basis for a USAAF flight engineer trainer designated as the AT-22, a United World War II’s Workhorse Adapted from the XB-24 aircraft in 1939, the B-24 Liberator deployed to every theater of World War II to provide aerial bombing support. jpg 895 × 210; 53 KB A C-87 transport plane, just off the assembly line1a34935v. The B-24 design underwent almost continual engineering changes resulting in a series of production models. All armament was removed, and the fuselage was modified to accommodate plush seats, berths, and an electric flight kitchen. Thus, one of the AAF’s most-capable heavy bombers served the Navy well for almost a decade and a half. The C-87 Liberator Express faced significant challenges and limitations that hampered its effectiveness. Transport and utility aircraft also known as the Beechcraft Model 18 or "Twin Beech". Personnel are, (left to right): Flying Officer Doyle of Sydney, Australia Jun 2, 2025 · The second Liberator Mk. The famed B-24D was the first combat ready model to be put into mass production by Consolidated Aircraft in, San Diego in early 1942. Consolidated B-24 Liberator in RAF Service The British Royal Air Force operated Consolidated B-24 Liberators in numerous roles from early 1941. C-87A # 41-24159 later became President Sep 17, 2025 · B-24, long-range heavy bomber used during World War II by the U. The conversion was designed by Consolidated, but Ford carried out the actual work. As the demands of war grew, the Army brought The Consolidated C-87 Liberator Express was a transport aircraft developed from the B-24 Liberator bomber. The Consolidated C-87 Liberator Express was a transport derivative of the B-24 Liberator heavy bomber built during World War II for the United States Army Air Forces. The C-87 Liberator Express is equipped with twenty portable chairs that are set up when the plane is used to carry human cargo. The first Liberator transport was created by converting B-24D serial number 41-11608 off the production line. Of the 19,256 B-24, PB4Y-1, LB-30 and other model variants in the Liberator family produced, thirteen complete airframes (including one airworthy example) survive today. Built by Consolidated Aircraft of San Diego, a Lockheed Martin legacy company, the bomber had been stripped of its bomb racks and turned into a private transport, complete with makeshift passenger accommodations. The Consolidated C-87 Liberator Express was a transport derivative of the B-24 Liberator heavy bomber built during World War II for the United States Army Air Forces. IX) -transport version of the USAAF bomber Consolidated B-24 Liberator. The first example, the XC-109, was converted from a B-24E in 1943. Shown below are Consolidated C-87 Liberator Transports as captured by Howard Hollem during October of 1942 at the Consolidated Airc Browse 19 liberator express c 87 photos and images available, or start a new search to explore more photos and images. The Consolidated C-87 Liberator Express transport appeared in the middle war years, 276 being built for the USAAF (United States Army Air Forces), 24 for the RAF and a number as RY-2s for the US Navy. Jan 4, 2025 · During World War II, German U-boats preyed on Allied shipping. 30 was an export model of the B-24 Liberator heavy bomber and actually entered service with Great Britain before the US Army (hence the different designation). Coastal Command was a major operator, using the aircraft for anti-submarine patrols over the Atlantic. In three years of operations, they dropped 635,000 tons of Nov 18, 2024 · The Antique Airshow / YouTube The Consolidated B-24 Liberator was a heavy bomber that became one of the most produced aircraft of the war, with over 18,000 units built. This was followed by 208 production aircraft, based on the B-24J / B-24L. It was designed with a shoulder-mounted, high aspect ratio Davis wing which gave the Liberator a high cruise speed, long range and the ability to carry a heavy bomb load. Last revised July 10, 2015 The C-87 Liberator Express was a transport version of the B-24D bomber. With over 18,500 units manufactured, the B-24 continues to hold the all-time records as the most produced heavy bomber, bomber, multi-engine aircraft The B-24 Liberator The 449th Bomb Group was originally equipped with sixty-two B-24H Liberator heavy bombers. - EDR2DB from Alamy's library of millions of high resolution stock photos, illustrations and vectors. 31 Squadron SAAF. 3 days ago · General Information about the Consolidated B-24 Liberator Role: Heavy Bomber, Maritime Patrol, Transport Manufacturer: Consolidated Aircraft / Ford Motor Company Key Features: High-mounted "Davis B-24J N224J, serial no. It was designed by the Consolidated Aircraft Company (later Consolidated-Vultee) in response to a January 1939 U. This is one of a number of Consolidated aircraft lost in the Florida Islands area including another Liberator aircraft (B-24D model, see site FLOR6) and five Consolidated Catalina PBY-5 aircraft. Anvil continues its tradition of excellence with the Liberator, an open-air vehicle carrier that applies the tradition of long-range transport to a smaller scale The Consolidated B-24 Liberator is a four-engine heavy bomber aircraft produced by the US-American manufacturer Consolidated Aircraft Corporation. A mixed service and civilian crew of No. But their major contribution was as bombers, especially in the Pacific. ITEM: Wartime Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF) Aeroplane Photo Supply real photo of AAF B-24 C-89 LIBERATOR EXPRESS TRANSPORT AIRCRAFT. Find many great new & used options and get the best deals for Liberator Express, USA Army Military Transport Aircraft Plane, WW2, Postcard at the best online prices at eBay! Free shipping for many products! WARTIME WWII AIRCRAFT PHOTO QUANTITY: 1 - See the other WWI & WWII aircraft photos that I have listed. The total number built is documented as 19,267 with the inclusion of all variants. Army Air Corps initiated a request for a new bomber designed to exceed the performance of the B-17. 44-4405 "All American," operated by the Collings Foundation, later repainted and renamed "The Dragon and His Tail," and now called "Witchcraft. " Photo by Patrick Bunce. The price tag for a B-17 was $187,000. William Ballentine Wheatley. Through October 1945, 736 of these aircraft were produced, in addition to several RY-3 transport versions. The RAF used Liberators as bombers in the Middle East and Far East, while Transport Command operated the type for its range and payload capacity A follow-up aircraft design by Consolidated was the B-32 Dominator, a plane with some of the B-24's characteristics, built in only limited numbers towards the end of World War II. In 1942 the navy put in a request for 977 B-24s designated PB4Y-1. Named for the role it was intended to play in the war to come, the aircraft would play a key role in America’s bombing effort around the world and become the most produced military aircraft of all time. During the Battle of Java the B-24. But in ATC's case, it did the impossible "today"! In December of 1942, after the Japanese had cut off the Burma Road, the Air Transport Command took over the responsibility of supplying China from India. Two unidentified Consolidated Aircraft Corporation employees install componants in the empennage of a C-87 Liberator Express transport plane, Fort But there was another part to this famous four-engine aircraft – one that is less well known. The B-24 was developed by the Consolidated Aircraft Corporation of San Diego, California. Two days later, a Discover a rare photo of a B-24 Liberator (serial number 40-2351) used for transport purposes and painted in neutrality markings during World War II. Explore the C-87 Liberator Express variant B-24 Liberator 'Gulliver' (Serial Number 41-11608) used for transport purposes during wartime. Although a number of their aircraft and supplies had been "pirated" by other unsympathetic commands, they still had a job to do. In fact, the B-24 was so important to combat The B-24 Liberator is an American four-engine heavy bomber that was flown by the United States armed forces and several of its allies during World War II. 3 days ago · Consolidated B-24 Liberator The Consolidated B-24 Liberator is an American heavy bomber, designed by Consolidated Aircraft of San Diego, California. It was known within the company as the Model 32, and some initial production aircraft were laid down as export models designated as various LB-30s, in the Land Bomber design category. Winston Churchill's luggage being unloaded from "Commando", his personal Liberator II transport aircraft, after the Casablanca Conference of January 1943. Converted from the well-known B-24 bomber, the C-87 was redesigned to serve as a transport aircraft, fulfilling a unique role in aviation history. A total of 287 C-87s were factory-built alongside the B-24 at the Consolidated Aircraft plant in Fort Worth, Texas. In comparison with C109 C-109 may refer to : C-109 Liberator Express, a conversion of the American B-24 Liberator bomber as a cargo aircraft Caudron C. Army Air Force/Air Force designation for the RY-3. Asisbiz Consolidated B-24 Liberator historic photo gallery for skins and modelers for IL-2 Sturmovik Great Battles and COD cliff's of dover Royal Air Force Transport Command, 1943-1945. A C-87 transport aircraft, a modification of the Liberator design, sits on the Consolidated Aircraft factory floor in Fort Worth, Texas, in 1942. Find many great new & used options and get the best deals for Liberator Express, USA Army Military Transport Aircraft Plane, WW2, Postcard at the best online prices at eBay! Free shipping for many products! Nov 7, 1997 · Her professional art career was launched as the Consolidated Vultee Aircraft (Convair) bomber plant opened in Fort Worth in 1942 where she became a technical illustrator working alongside other Fort Worth artists including Dickson Reeder and Kelly Fearing, preparing detailed equipment drawings for B-24 Liberator bomber and C-87 Liberator transport A vehicle-aircraft, ship or other—that carries s people, supplies, tanks, and artillery What were the two drawbacks of the flying B-24 Liberator bomber? It was physically deifficult to fly and much more vulnerable to enemy flak than the B-17. C-87C: U. While the Douglas C-47 Dakota is deservedly celebrated as the most important twin-engine transport aircraft of the war, the early use of the four-engine Consolidated B-24 Liberator bomber as a passenger carrier is virtually unknown but was as important. This is a wartime photo produced In Apr 1942, the C-87 Liberator Express and C-109 tanker variants of the B-24 design began production at Consolidated's Fort Worth facility; that design featured a large cargo hold in lieu of the bomb bay and gun turrets, which was quickly recognized as a transport that could make a difference to help China's supply situation. A floor was installed in the bomb bay and waist section May 19, 2019 · The requirement for a very long-range transport quickly became apparent early in world War II and , because of its roomy fuselage and good cruising speed, the B-24 series was a logical aircraft to develop to meet this requirement. Anvil continues its tradition of excellence with the Liberator, an open-air vehicle carrier that applies the tradition of long-range transport to a smaller scale In Apr 1942, the C-87 Liberator Express and C-109 tanker variants of the B-24 design began production at Consolidated's Fort Worth facility; that design featured a large cargo hold in lieu of the bomb bay and gun turrets, which was quickly recognized as a transport that could make a difference to help China's supply situation. It was used during WWII for cargo and personnel transport, significantly aiding the Allied war effort. Discover the history of this military aircraft. Dec 15, 2019 · Stretch time for the Liberator By Frederick Johnsen · December 15, 2019 · Before jet-age stretches of transport aircraft fuselage designs became commonplace, in World War II the Consolidated Aircraft Company demonstrated how it is done with the famed B-24 Liberator heavy bomber. The B-24 Liberator. At the outbreak of World War II the Navy lacked any long-range land based patrol bombers to conduct search, anti-submarine, and anti-shipping missions. Other versions included the AAF C-87A May 19, 2019 · The requirement for a very long-range transport quickly became apparent early in world War II and , because of its roomy fuselage and good cruising speed, the B-24 series was a logical aircraft to develop to meet this requirement. Liberators had an intense operational career on all fronts and in different roles, from bombing to naval reconnaissance, antisubmarine warfare, and transport. Consolidated Aircraft responded The Consolidated B-24 Liberator was an American four-engine heavy bomber used by the United States Army Air Forces (USAAF) and other allied air forces during World War II. qnrb9 dz9d uh 36c ejfcc91 th q1u atq2axj skjpx dthe