Dec 20, 2015 detroit defied reality to help win world war ii. My own memory involving about 65 years of b 24s is the smell of hydraulic fluid and of 100 octane fuel. B 24, also called liberator, longrange heavy bomber used during world war ii by the u. We provide firsthand commentary, specifications, history and original photographs of great world war ii planes such as the b 24 liberator and the b 17 flying fortress, and. In december 1940, the federal government asked the ford motor company to build 1,200 b 24 bombers. The turrets have seams through them and the cockpit glass ends up looking a bit shallow. B24 liberator chronograph pilot 1st edition polished and brushed finish 44mm case. Thrillist detroit is using oldtimey newspaper language to inform you that valentine distilling co.
Before willow run was converted to the airport we know today, during world war ii it was the fastest b24 production plant in the united states. Conceived in 1938 by consolidated aircraft, a lockheed martin legacy company, the original b24 prototype was designed to fly faster and carry a larger payload than the us army air corpss b17 flying fortress. B24 liberator willow run assembly plant in michigan run. B 24 liberator in action, larry davis, squadronsignal publications inc, 1987. The b24 liberator was designed in 1939 as a replacement for the boeing b17 flying fortress. Something in the neighbourhood of 18,500 of all variants were built, a number made all the more astonishing by the fact that all were produced in a sixyear period, from 19401945. B24 liberator units of the eighth air force osprey combat aircraft 15. The consolidated b24 liberator was an american heavy bomber, designed by consolidated aircraft of san diego, ca.
Nearly half of the b24 production was performed by ford. Detroit watch company watchfaces for smart watches. It was used in a range of duties that included maritime patrol, antisubmarine work, reconnaissance work, fuel tanker, cargo and personnel. Henry ford free download as powerpoint presentation. The monstrous, bluntnosed, fourmotored b 24 liberator would be built at a rate of one per hour, at a faster rate than the germans could shoot them down thus helping to turn the tide of the air war in europe.
B24 liberator pilot 1st edition polished and brushed finish 39mm case. Willow run, also known as air force plant 31, was a manufacturing complex in michigan, located between ypsilanti township and belleville, constructed by the ford motor company for the mass production of aircraft, especially the b24 liberator heavy bomber. Although its flying characteristics were not as refined as the boeing b17 flying fortress, its main virtue was its long operating range. This is the plane that used the engines produced by buick during wwii.
During world war ii, ford motor company built 8,685 b24 liberator bomber airplanes at its willow run plant, 35 miles west of detroit. Thanks to henry ford, the first real aircraft mass production line was established in willow run, mi and b 24s were reaching all theaters of operations. In early 1941 the federal government established the liberator production pool program to meet the projected demand for the b24, and the ford company, joined the program shortly thereafter. The consolidated b 24 liberator is a fourengine heavy bomber aircraft produced by the usamerican manufacturer consolidated aircraft corporation. The 449th bomb group was originally equipped with sixtytwo b24h liberator heavy bombers. One bomber an hour at willow run bomber plant was the production speed of willow run bomber plant. Consolidated b24 liberator unionpedia, the concept map. Thirty percent of the nations war material poured in from one city alonedetroit. The consolidated b 24 liberator is an american heavy bomber, designed by consolidated aircraft of san diego, california. He began his career in the b 24 and graduated to a b 17. Its roomy fuselage and high aspect ratio davis wing enabled the b24 to fly higher, farther, and to carry a greater bomb load than the b17. Because of its great range, it was particularly suited for such missions as the famous raid from north africa against the oil industry at ploesti, rumania, on aug.
B 24 liberator bombers rolling down the assembly line at willow run in 1942. No matter how you look at it, the willow run story is a pivotal chapter in american history, as shown in this video, an excerpt from a wartime documentary commissioned by the ford motor company. The consolidated b24 liberator is an american heavy bomber, designed by consolidated aircraft of san diego, california. With more than 18,400 aircraft built, the consolidated b 24 liberator was the most produced military plane in the usa. So he turned to detroit and the auto industry for help. It was produced in much larger numbers than the b17 even though production didnt begin until after the start of the war. The b24 liberator was also produced by douglas aircraft company, north american aviation and ford motor company. The consolidated f7 was a photographic reconnaissance version of the b24 liberator, produced at the army modification centres. General dynamics aircraft and their predecsssors, john wegg, naval institute press, 1990. The consolidated b24 liberator, a large bomber, was the most prolific american plane of world war ii, with more than 18,000 built. B24 liberator units of the eighth air force osprey combat aircraft 15 dorr, robert, dorr, robert f. Detroit defied reality to help win world war ii united service. During world war ii, ford motor company built 8685 b24 liberator bomber airplanes at its willow run plant, 35 miles west of detroit.
B24 liberator this photo is a clip from my daughters home movies when we were at bishop airport for buicks 100th bday. Consolidated b24 liberator, heavy bomber american wwii. B24 liberator airplane weather vane by west coast weather vanes. Thanks to henry ford, the first real aircraft mass production line was established in willow run, mi and b24s were reaching all theaters of operations. The b 24 liberator was an american heavy bomber, designed by consolidated aircraft of san diego, ca. Before willow run was converted to the airport we know today, during world war ii it was the fastest b 24 production plant in the united states.
The b 24 liberator was built in greater numbers than any other u. The revellmonogram kit is the only game in town for a 148th liberator. Mar 09, 2008 b 24 liberator this photo is a clip from my daughters home movies when we were at bishop airport for buicks 100th b day. Although its flying characteristics were not as refined as the boeing b 17 flying fortress, its main virtue was its long operating range.
This website is a tribute to the great military planes and commercial airplanes of the past, and to the people who designed, built, flew, and serviced these aircraft. Construction of the willow run bomber plant began in 1940 and was completed in 1942. B24, also called liberator, longrange heavy bomber used during world war ii by the u. It was produced in much larger numbers than the b 17 even though production didnt begin until after the start of the war. Consolidated b24 liberator fourengined strategic heavy. Corporal phillip s brinkman of the 486th bomb group paints the nose art of a b24 liberator serial number 4252693 nicknamed aries.
Consolidated b24d liberator national museum of the us air. The b24 liberator was built in greater numbers than any other u. Consolidated b32 dominator the consolidated b24 liberator is an american heavy bomber, designed by consolidated aircraft of san diego, california. Army air force usaaf requirement for a fourengined heavy bomber. The first mission with the 330th bs was on 1st may 1943. The b24 liberator was a powerful symbol of us industrial might, with more than 18,000 produced by the wars end. Workers completed the 6,000th b24 in september 1944 with considerable fanfare. The detroit watch company is a local enterprise that designs and assembles its watches in detroit, one of the small companies making an effort.
The b24 liberator exterminator serial number 4123717, h originally flew with the 329th bomb squadron of the 93rd bomb group and was later transferred to the 330th bomb squadron 93bg in march 1943. Willow run, also known as air force plant 31, was a manufacturing complex in michigan, located between ypsilanti township and belleville, constructed by the ford motor company for the mass production of aircraft, especially the b24 liberator. It was known within the company as the model 32, and some initial production aircraft were laid down as export models designated as various lb30s, in the land bomber design category. Some of the detail could be better and that would cost a star. The famed b 24d was the first combat ready model to be put into mass production by consolidated aircraft in, san diego in early. New consolidated b24 liberator and ford motor company see more fort worth, texas. However, if trumpeteer hobbies came out with a b24 it would cost four times as much, have six times the parts, and there would be inaccuracies. Consolidated b24 liberator specifications technical data. It also passed laws denying tax breaks to companies that owned. The consolidated b24 liberator was a 4engine, twintail heavy bomber designed by consolidated aircraft of san diego. B24 liberator interior at the collings foundation wings. Etsy is the home to thousands of handmade, vintage, and oneofakind products and gifts related to your search.
We provide firsthand commentary, specifications, history and original photographs of great world war ii planes such as the b24 liberator and the b17 flying fortress. Its first flight was on december 29, 1939, and it began service in 1941. The december 29, 1940 radio broadcast by fdr asked the country to build air. B24 liberator units of the eighth air force osprey combat. The detroit watch company is a local enterprise that designs and assembles its watches in detroit, one of. Alphasim consolidated b24 liberator mutleys hangar. Willow run, also known as air force plant 31, was a manufacturing complex in michigan, located between ypsilanti township and belleville, constructed by the ford motor company for the mass production of aircraft, especially the b 24 liberator heavy bomber.
Critics chided henry ford for declaring his willow run bomber plant could turn out a b 24 liberator heavy bomber every hour. Although it was less famous than the b 17 flying fortress, the liberator had a longer range, greater top speed, and could carry more bombs. B24 liberator units of the eighth air force osprey. He began his career in the b24 and graduated to a b17. Consolidated b 24dm liberator in usaafrafraafmldiafczechaf and cnaf service, ernest r.
B24 liberator interior at the collings foundation wings o. The detroit watch company c ommemorates detroits willow run history with the introduction of the b24 liberator pilot series of. Downloading audiovisual for noncommercial offline listening or viewing. The b24s spacious, slabsided fuselage was built around a central bomb bay with two compartments that could accommodate up to 8,000 pounds of ordnance each. B24 liberator in action, larry davis, squadronsignal publications inc, 1987. The consolidated f7 was a photographic reconnaissance version of the b 24 liberator, produced at the army modification centres. The b24 liberator restoration fund, purpose is to ensure the preservation of the sole b24 liberator remaining in australia.
Jun 25, 2015 in early 1941 the federal government established the liberator production pool program to meet the projected demand for the b 24, and the ford company, joined the program shortly thereafter. This handcrafted custom made b24 wwii liberator aircraft can be made using a variety of metals with optional gold and palladium leafing. B 24 liberator stock photos download 56 royalty free photos. No matter what youre looking for or where you are in the world, our global marketplace of sellers can help you find unique and affordable options. Fort worth is the 15thlargest city in the united states and the fifthlargest city in the state. Willow run completed its first b24 liberator on september 10, 1942. In time the b24 would boast a long, tapered wing atop its fuselage, which allowed impressive longrange cruising capabilities. The willow run manufacturing plant, located between ypsilanti and belleville, michigan, was constructed during world war ii by the ford motor company for the mass production of the b 24 liberator. Feb 16, 2016 the detroit watch company s tribute to the b 24. The consolidated b24 liberator retains the record to this day as the most produced us military airplane. The monstrous, bluntnosed, fourmotored b24 liberator would be built at a rate of one per hour, at a faster rate than the germans could shoot them down thus helping to turn the tide of the air war in europe. Top 5 weird ww2 german prototypes that actually flew duration. The b 24 liberator was a mixed blessing to the war effort.
Flown in all theaters and entering the fray before america did through lendlease with great britain, liberators flew faster, higher and farther than the older b17, thanks to greater fuel capacity and an innovative lowdrag wing design. Jun 09, 2007 b 24 liberator flying around bubank airport. The f7 saw service in most theatres of the war, with groups operating the type in the south west pacific and from india, britain and the mediterranean. The b24 was employed in operations in every combat theater during world war ii. Its roomy fuselage and high aspect ratio davis wing enabled the b 24 to fly higher, farther, and to carry a greater bomb load than the b 17. Consolidated b24dm liberator in usaafrafraafmldiafczechaf and cnaf service, ernest r. Consolidated b24d liberator by james matthews monogram 148. It was known within the company as the model 32, and a small number of early models were sold under the name lb30, for land bomber. Get your kindle here, or download a free kindle reading app. The b24 was used in world war ii by several allied air forces and navies, and by every branch of the american armed forces during the war, attaining a distinguished war record with its operations in the western european, pacific, mediterranean, and chinaburmaindia theaters. Consolidated b24 liberator specifications technical.
The 449th bomb group was originally equipped with sixtytwo b 24h liberator heavy bombers. The b 24 liberator was also produced by douglas aircraft company, north american aviation and ford motor company. Ive spent time at the old chevy v8 plant in flint, michigan in. The b 24 liberator is one of my favorite all time models. Consolidated b24 liberator the national wwii museum. May 16, 2008 topic titled b 24 liberator posted in the flight simulator x general forum at fly away simulation. Consolidated b24d liberator national museum of the. The b24 design underwent almost continual engineering changes resulting in a series of production models. Theyd called him crazy in 1896, too, but ford ignored the naysayers, pushing past obstacles and failures until his gasoline. The monogram b24j is a good model of the most produced bomber of wwii. The clear parts can be improved with vacuform sets from squadron and bill koster. The roosevelt administration asked ford motor company to manufacture components for the b24 liberator bomber.
Monogram 855608 148 consolidated b24j liberator kit first look. Detroit b24 liberator watchfaces for smart watches. Designed by consolidated aircraft company, the b24 was produced in four different factories including an assembly line built by ford at willow run near detroit. The factory was nearly an hours drive from detroit, and the imposition of. My own memory involving about 65 years of b24s is the smell of hydraulic fluid and of 100 octane fuel. Airplanes of the past, classic wwii warbirds, air force. New consolidated b24 liberator and ford motor company see more.
The b 24 design underwent almost continual engineering changes resulting in a series of production models. With more than 18,400 aircraft built, the consolidated b24 liberator was the most produced military plane in the usa. Here he explores the role of detroit and the ford motor company in the mammoth effort to. Does anyone know where i might find a b24 liberator flight sim download. B24 liberator bombers rolling down the assembly line at willow run in 1942. A dramatic, intimate narrative of how ford motor company went from making automobiles to.
The detroit watch company, founded in 20 by the husband and wife designer couple, patrick and amy ayoub, is one of the recent stars of the resurgence in the american watch industry two of their watches commemorate one of the greatest examples of american airpower during world war ii, the b24 liberator bomber. The detroit watch company commemorates detroit s willow run history with the introduction of the b24 liberator pilot series of. By the spring of 1944, employees on fords bomber assembly line could turn out a finished airplane every 63 minutes. Detroit watch company b24 liberator the motor city isnt just for petrol engines anymore. Willow run b24 liberator military history of the upper. B24 liberator interior at the collings foundation wings of freedom tour at venice municipal airport in venice, florida. The detroit watch company, founded in 20, is the only detroitbased watch manufacturer that hand assembles classic timepieces with swiss automatic movements.
B 24 liberator interior at the collings foundation wings of freedom tour at venice municipal airport in venice, florida. Detroit defied reality to help win world war ii united. Apr 14, 2015 dayton, ohio consolidated b24d liberator at the national museum of the united states air force. The consolidated b24 liberator is a fourengine heavy bomber aircraft produced by the usamerican manufacturer consolidated aircraft corporation. The b24 liberator was an american heavy bomber, designed by consolidated aircraft of san diego, ca. The famed b24d was the first combat ready model to be put into mass production by consolidated aircraft in, san diego in early. Download 56 b 24 liberator stock photos for free or amazingly low rates. General dynamics aircraft and their predecesssors, john wegg, naval institute press, 1990. It was designed by the consolidated aircraft company later consolidatedvultee in response to a january 1939 u. Ford motor company commonly referred to simply as ford is an american multinational automaker headquartered in dearborn, michigan, a suburb of detroit. All results related to consolidated b24 liberator found on 80 scale modeling websites and the scalemates kit database.
B 24 liberator units of the eighth air force osprey combat aircraft 15 dorr, robert, dorr, robert f. B24 liberator bomber model numbers, production numbers. The b 24 was used in world war ii by several allied air forces and navies, and by every branch of the american armed forces during the war, attaining a distinguished war record with its operations in the western european, pacific, mediterranean, and chinaburmaindia theaters. The consolidated b 24 liberator retains the record to this day as the most produced us military airplane.
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