B - 24 BOMBER

[Scout943]

Interesting https://www.youtube.com/embed/iKlt6rNciTo?rel=0

 

[Fox Mike]

Ford did build a bunch of them. It is hard to understand just how big that plane is until you stand next to one. They are HUGE!

 

[sgtjimh]

My Dad was a tail gunner on those planes. The crew flew their plane to the war. Had to go south to Brazil, cross the ocean to Africa then up to Italy. His plane was made by Consolidated.

 

[737tdi]

Good stuff. If you go to google maps and search Willow Run Airport you get a good view of where these were built.

Karl

 

[Bob Wright]

The B-24 Liberator was superior to the B-17 in all performance areas, and due to its long range, was used in the Pacific Theater extensively. The B-17 became the symbol of the Eighth Air Force because of two of its merits: Ability to absord damage without exploding, and its ability to be repaired after a crash landing.

In crash landings, the B-24 tended to break apart at the wing junction, while the B-17 sustained only sheet metal damage. This was attributed to its low wing position. For many years after, the commercial airliners were required to be of low wing design.

A transport version of the B-24, the C-87, was designated to be the aircraft of President Roosevelt, as the deep fuselage was deemed suitable for his wheelchair. But one of the C-87s caught fire and crashed, and FDR was not to fly on the C-87. They were set aside for Eleanor, however.

Incidentally, the last B-24s built were built with a single large tail fin. The Navy PB4Y and the Army B-32 were both derived from B-24 technology.

Bob Wright

 

[blackhawknj]

I have read the two planes had totally different handling traits, the B-17 was fairly forgiving while the pilot really had to maintain control of the B-24.
I got to see them both at Trenton Airport a few years ago, hearing those radial engine start up.....

 

[Snake45]

Incidentally, the last B-24s built were built with a single large tail fin. The Navy PB4Y and the Army B-32 were both derived from B-24 technology.

Bob Wright

The PB4Y was a direct development/descendent of the B-24. The B-32, however, was a completely different, much larger airplane analogous to the B-29.

 

[Bob Wright]

Incidentally, the last B-24s built were built with a single large tail fin. The Navy PB4Y and the Army B-32 were both derived from B-24 technology.

Bob Wright

The PB4Y was a direct development/descendent of the B-24. The B-32, however, was a completely different, much larger airplane analogous to the B-29.

True, my Friend. But it was the technology and experience gained from producing the B-24. Even the twin tail design was first considered for the B-32, also the wing design was a carryover from the B-24.

Incidentally, the Willow Run plant was plagued with so many problems it was oftern referred to as Willit Run?

Bob Wright

 

[blackhawknj]

The Arsenal of Democracy by A. J. Baime is a good book about the Willow Run plant.

 

[Critch]

My next door neighbor, now sadly deceased was a B-24 belly turret gunner in North Africa and England. He said it was frightening at times in the belly turret when the FW-190s came up to visit.

 

[LDM]

My mother was a "Rosie the Riveter" at a subcontractor in Detroit. She built up engine speed rings and wing panel sections for B-24s.

A lot of people don't realize how much supporting infrastructure needed to be built to support production. Besides the Willow Run Airport next to the plant, there was also the Detroit Industrial Expressway (now part of I-94) built to connect Willow Run to midtown Detroit. This was to expedite the movement of components and sub-assemblies from the fabricators in the city.

 

[blackhawknj]

I met a B-24 ball turret gunner, he emphasized how important it was that your electric flight suit be working properly and plugged in-it was 20 below zero at the altitudes they flew at.

 

[hdxr750]

I'm proud to say that my Dad was a belly gunner on a B-24. Rip Dad I love you