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Consolidated XB-24

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XB-24 / LB-30
Rare color photograph of an RAF LB-30
Role Bomber
Manufacturer Consolidated Aircraft Corporation
Designer Isaac M. Laddon
First flight 1939
Introduction 1941
Retired 1946,UK
1946, BOAC
Status Retired
Primary user RAF
Number built 8
Variants B-24 Liberator
Main article: B-24 Liberator

The Consolidated XB-24 preproduction B-24 aircraft began in the fall of 1938 when the United States Army Air Corps (USAAC) approached Consolidated Aircraft Corporation (CAC) with the intent of starting a second Boeing B-17 Flying Fortress production line. The president of Consolidated Aircraft, Reuben H. Fleet, as well as the Chief Designer Isaac M. Laddon after reviewing the Seattle production lines felt that Consolidated Aircraft could build a better, more modern bomber than the B-17.

Background

Using a highly advanced wing airfoil design created by David Davis as well as the twin tail design from the Consolidated Model 31 flying boat, both were mated to new fuselage. This new fuselage was intentially designed around the twin bomb bays, each one being the same size and capacity of the B-17.

Based on several mock-ups, the issued Type Specification # C-212 on 1 February 1939, which was specifically designed for the Consolidated Model 32 to be the winning design.

History

On 30 March 1939, the formal contract for the initial B-24 was signed.

After initial testing, the XB-24 was found to be deficient in several areas. One major failure of the prototype was that it failed to meet the top speed requirements specified in the contract. As built, the XB-24 top speed was only 273 mph instead of the specified 311 mph. As a result, the mechanically supercharged Pratt & Whitney R-1830-33s were replaced with the turbo-supercharged R-1830s. Additionally, the tail span was widened by 2 feet (0.61 m) 2 feet and the pitot-static probes were relocated from the wings to the fuselage. The XB-24 was then redesigned XB-24B – these changes became standard on all B-24’s built starting with the B-24C model.

The USAAC initially ordered 7 YB-24s under CAC contract # 12464 in April 1939, but like the prototype these aircraft were being built by hand and were not considered combat ready. Since both the Royal Air Force and French were shopping for aircraft the first 6 YB-24 were released for direct purchase under CAC contract # F-677 on 9 November 1940. These aircraft were redesigned LB-30A. The seventh aircraft was used by Consolidated and the USAAC to test armor installations as well as self-sealing fuel tanks. Initially, these aircraft were to be given USAAC serials 39-618 to 39-687 however, delays with the actual purchase the serials numbers were changed to 40-696 to 40-702. When the RAF purchased the first 6 YB-24 aircraft, the serial numbers were reassigned to a later block of B-24Ds.

The RAF like the USAAC found the LB-30A unsuitable for combat and had them assigned to the transatlantic Ferry Service between Canada and Prestwick, Scotland. The aircraft were all modified in Montreal and included the removal of all armaments, provision for passenger seating, and a revised cabin oxygen & heating system.

Variants

XB-24
The first of the Liberator lineage, first flown 29 October 1939. .
XB-24B
Modified from the XB-24 in the spring of 1940 with turbo-supercharged Pratt & Whitney R-1830-41 engines, wider horizontal tail plane, moved pitot static ports and redesignated XB-24B
YB-24
Delivered December 1940 and assigned as a transport with No.1425 Flight RAF on the transatlantic ferry routes.
Liberator LB-30A
Consolidated designation for the transport aircraft delivered to the RAF from December 1940.

Individual aircraft histories

XB-24
  • 39-556 was delivered 18 March 1940 and the first official USAAC flight. In the spring of 1940, the XB-24 was modified with turbo-supercharged engines (P&W R-1830-41) wider horizontal tail plane, moved pitot static ports and redesigned XB-24B.
XB-24B
YB-24
LB-30A
  • AM258 (ex 40-696) s/n 167 was delivered December 1940, assigned as a transport with No.1425 Flight RAF on the transatlantic ferry routes, and on 25 June 1946 scrapped Albuquerque, New Mexico.
  • AM259 (ex 40-697) s/n 168 was delivered December 1940, ssigned as a transport with No.1425 Flight RAF on the transatlantic ferry routes, then assigned to BOAC with registration G-AGCD; and on 5 January 1943 midair collision with USSR A-20 Havoc.
  • AM260 (ex 40-698) s/n 169 was delivered December 1940, assigned as a transport with No.1425 Flight on the transatlantic ferry routes; and on 14 August 1941 crashed and burned on takeoff at RAF Heathfield Airfield, Ayr, Scotland. (22 Killed))[1]
  • AM261 (ex 40-699) s/n 170 was delivered December 1940, assigned as a transport with No.1425 Flight on the transatlantic ferry routes. On 02 August 1941 flew the Duke of Kent across the Atlantic. Then on 10 August 1941 Crashed on Goat Fell, Isle of Arran, Scotland. [2]
  • AM262 (ex 40-700) s/n 171 was delivered December 1940, assigned as a transport with No.1425 Flight on the transatlantic ferry routes then assigned to BOAC with registration G-AGHG.; decommissioned on 30 May 1946.
  • AM263 (ex 40-701) s/n 172 was delivered December 1940, assigned as a transport with No.1425 Flight RAF on the transatlantic ferry routes then assigned to BOAC with registration G-AGDS; and crashed on 15 February 1942 at Eddystone.

References

  1. ^ Plane Crash Info 1941
  2. ^ Peak District Air Crashes of the UK
Bibliography
  • Birdsall, Steve. B-24 Liberator In Action. Carrollton, Texas: Squadron/Signal Publications, 1975. ISBN 0-89747-020-6.
  • Blue, Al. Pictorial History of the B24 Liberator Bomber. New York: Simon & Schuster, 1985. ISBN 0-684-14508-1.
  • O'Leary, Michael. Consolidated B-24 Liberator: Production Line to Front Line. Botley, UK: Osprey Publishing, 2002. ISBN 1-84176-023-4.
  • Pearcy, Arthur. Lend-Lease Aircraft in World War II: An Operational History. St. Paul, Minnesota: MBI Publishing Company LLC, 1996. ISBN 0-7603-0259-6.


See also

Wikimedia Commons has media related to B-24 Liberator.
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