| This is the B-24J Liberator which was the other bomber
that flew that day. Both bombers were really fun to watch fly and gave
me chills when you heard those four engines. Both planes are similar but
then again a little different. They are both heavy bombers but the B-24
has a more modern design with a higher top speed, longer range and could
carry a heavier bomb load.
The placement of the B-24's fuel tanks throughout the upper fuselage
and its lightweight construction, designed to increase range and
optimize assembly line production, made the aircraft vulnerable to
battle damage and known to catch fire more easily.
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There was a crew of 10 men and it had 10 .50 caliber Browning machine
guns in four turrets and two waist gunners. It had a range of 2,100
miles but when loaded with ordinance that changed. It could fly a short
range mission of 400 miles with 8,000 lb, long range of 800 miles with
5,000 lb, and very long range of 1,200 miles with 2,700 lb.
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The B-24 had four Pratt and Whitney 14 cylinder turbocharged radial
engines that made 1,200 horsepower each and a max speed of 290 mph. and
cruised at 215 mph. More B-24's were build than any other American plane
and they had self sealing fuel tanks in case they were hit.
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Here you can see one of the .50 caliber waist guns.
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The tail on a B-24 are huge which helps give the
aircraft a unique look. See that ladder under the tail section, this is
where we entered the aircraft which wasn't easy for everyone. You had to
get on your hands and knees, then move towards the ladder and then you
could stand up to climb it.
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Here is the tail turret with twin .50's starring at you. Lets take a
trip through this amazing aircraft and learn more about it.
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