The Consolidated B-24 Liberator is an American four-engine heavy bomber designed by Consolidated Aircraft of San Diego, California, internally known to its manufacturer as the Model 32, with early export and reconnaissance variants built under the designation LB-30. Development began in 1939 as the Second World War loomed, and the Liberator went on to be produced in greater numbers than any other American military aircraft of the war, serving across every major theater of the conflict as a long-range heavy bomber against Axis industrial and military targets, as well as in maritime patrol, transport and other support roles. Its long, high-aspect-ratio wing gave it greater range than the more famous B-17 Flying Fortress with which it shared much of its bombing campaign, allowing Liberator squadrons to strike deep behind enemy lines, including the costly low-level raids against the Romanian oil refineries at Ploiesti in 1943 that became one of the aircraft's best-known wartime operations.
Reader Challenges (0 open reader challenges)
No disputes yet. Spotted an error or a better source? Open the first one.
Sign in to dispute this or suggest a correction.
View At A Past Year
The atlas records no dated fact of its own for this entry, so there is no other year to choose.