Before ballistic missiles came in 1944, bombers were the only way militaries could deliver enormous amounts of weapons to enemy territory. With the right strategy, they could destroy cities and flatten infrastructure. The U.S. had the Consolidated B-24 Liberator Heavy Bomber, which had a rich history and undeniable success in combat missions. Here are 14 fascinating things about this iconic aircraft, its rich history, and how it won the war for the Allies.

Built on Special Request

Looking back at the B-24’s backstory, you’d find deep elements of innovation and creative genius. In 1938, the United States Army Air Force (USAAC) requested Consolidated Aircraft to produce licensed copies of the B-17, but the company opted to develop its design instead. The result was the B-24, a versatile heavy bomber with 11 crew members known for its deadly precision during bombing, anti-submarine, and mining missions. Engineer David Davis, credited with the brainchild, invented an aerodynamic laminar flow wing that allowed air to glide over the surface without generating turbulence. 

The B-24 Had a Legendary Predecessor

As earlier mentioned, the USAAC wanted Consolidated to bring back the successful Boeing B-17. They wanted a repeat of the “Flying Fortress,” a nickname the bomber plane got from a Seattle Times journalist who was stunned by its massive guns. 

They Built This Bomber to Be Better

Since Consolidated wanted to surpass the B-17 by developing the B-24, the engineers ensured they installed better features. Besides its redesigned wing that reduced drag by 15%, it had an extended range, heavier bomb load, tricycle landing gear, higher top speed, and advanced wing design. It also had turbo-supercharged Twin Wasp Engines, increasing speed from 273 mph to 310 mph and meeting the U.S. military’s performance expectations. After production, the U.S. deployed the B-24 to British lines and nicknamed it the “Liberator.”

It Had More Firepower Than the Flying Fortress

When the British Royal Air Force received the first batch of B-24s in the spring of 1941, they were in for a treat. The earlier B-24D models had turrets mounting twin 0.50-inch machine guns, while subsequent models like later models like the B-24H and J had enhanced armament. The engineers added nose and belly turrets, increasing the plane’s stack to 10 machine guns. Also, the Liberator had the dreaded Norden Bombsight with up to 8,000 pounds of bomb payload, depending on the mission.

B-24 was a “Flying Coffin”?

The B-24 earned the grim nickname “Flying Coffin,” contrasting with the B-17’s reputation as a “Flying Fortress” due to its design flaws. For instance, it had a single exit at the rear that was inaccessible to most crew members in emergencies (built like a coffin). Also, designers overlooked key aspects like flak damage resistance and comfort. Despite its criticism, the Consolidated produced over 18,000 B-24s, beating the B-17 with over 5,000 to become the most-produced American wartime aircraft.

The B-24 Had Insane Production Speed

One of the least mentioned reasons for the B-24’s success is the workers who worked at the Willow Run bomber plant. The Allied won against German forces because the U.S. could produce more warcraft faster than their enemies. With over 42,000 workers, the site built almost 9,000 B-24s at a tremendous speed that seemed like a production miracle. Thanks to Henry Ford, a pioneer in American production, and his assembly process, Willow Run became the most successful bomber plant in the U.S.

The B-24 Had a Poor Public Perception

The B-24 earned its nickname due to a service ceiling 7,000 feet lower than the B-17, making it more vulnerable to German anti-aircraft artillery and battle damage. Also, when the first B-24 to reach 25 missions crashed on its return journey, the name “Flying Coffin” stuck, adding to its unpopular reputation. However, despite its flaws, such as weak Davis wings, poor low-speed performance, and a leaky fuel system, the B-24’s superior range was important in the Pacific. It successfully carried out bombing missions on territories occupied by Japanese forces.

More Than a Bomber Plane 

From early 1944, Carpetbagger B-24s parachuted spies and supplies to resistance fighters in occupied Europe. B-24s also transported high-priority cargo and VIPs, like British Prime Minister Winston Churchill. Additionally, Liberators dropped 2.75 billion propaganda leaflets in strategic locations while conducting anti-submarine patrols in the Battle of the Atlantic and ending the reign of German U-boats.

More Success Than Its Predecessor

The B-24 Liberator, often overshadowed by the B-17, deserves many accolades. It was a B-24, Hot Stuff, that first completed 25 combat missions over Nazi-occupied Europe in February 1943, well before the famed Memphis Belle. Sadly, Hot Stuff crashed in Iceland on its return to the U.S., killing 14 of 15 onboard. Consequently, the U.S. War Department celebrated the Memphis Belle as the first aircraft to survive 25 missions.

The Liberator Had Several Notable Operations 

At the Battle of the Bay, Liberators sank about 100 U-boats, losing only 24 planes. The mission shows how much the B-24 was central to the Allies’ Mediterranean campaign, bombing German oil refineries, destroying Nazi U-boats, patrolling coastlines, and targeting critical sites. Likewise, in 1943, pilots flew black-painted B-24s at night for Operation Carpetbagger, supplying the French Resistance. They also helped soften Nazi defenses for ground forces to penetrate during the D-Day invasion.

One Operation Left a Sour Taste

When Operation Tidal Wave started, 177 Liberators departed from North Africa to bomb Romanian oil refineries, aiming to cripple Nazi Germany’s fuel supply. Sadly, the mission was a devastating failure, turning into one of the war’s bloodiest Allied air raids. The Allied Forces lost 53 Liberators, including 660 airmen who were killed, captured, or interned, with no significant impact on oil production.

A B-24 Plane Disappeared and was Never Found

On February 18, 1944, a B-24 with eight crew members, known as “Getaway Gertie,” crashed into Lake Ontario after taking off from Syracuse Army Air Base. The crew reported poor weather conditions to Westover Air Reserve Base before the crash. In June 2023, the Commemorative Air Force held a ceremony to honor the fallen crew, highlighting this lesser-known historical event. Despite extensive search efforts, the wreck remains undiscovered.

The B-24 Came out of Retirement

Most B-24 survivors owe their existence to the Indian Air Force, the last military force to fly the B-24 Liberator. After WWII, the U.S. scrapped thousands of Liberators, leaving around 70 B-24s to the RAF in India, who disabled and abandoned them at Kanpur Airfield. 1947, during the India-Pakistan war, the Indian Air Force restored around 50 aircraft. They remained operational through repairs and salvage until 1968, making the IAF the last to fly the B-24.

Notable People Who Went on Liberation Missions

George McGovern, U.S. Senator and 1972 presidential candidate, served as a B-24 pilot in missions over Germany during WWII. Likewise, Louis Zamperini, Olympic runner and war hero, survived a B-24 crash and 47 days adrift at sea. Zamperini’s story inspired two biographies and the film “Unbroken.” Sadly, Joseph P. Kennedy Jr., elder brother of U.S. President John F. Kennedy, wasn’t that lucky. After hitting 25 missives volunteering for extra operations, he lost his life when his PB4Y-1 Liberator exploded midair.