Editing Consolidated B-24 Liberator (section)

==Variants==

===U.S. Army Air Forces variants===
;XB-24: Single prototype ordered by Army Air Corps on 30 March 1939. Powered by four [[Pratt & Whitney R-1830]]-33 Twin Wasps rated at {{convert|1200|hp}} for takeoff and {{convert|1000|hp}} at {{convert|14500|ft}}. Bombload of eight {{cvt|1000|lb}} bombs, with defensive armament of three {{cvt|0.5|in|1}} and four {{cvt|0.30|in|2}} machine guns. First flew 29 December 1939. Later converted to XB-24B.<ref name="Wegg p82-3">Wegg 1990, pp. 82–83.</ref><ref name="iaprv4 p129">Dorr and Lake 2002, p. 129.</ref>

;YB-24/LB-30A: Pre-production prototypes, six of which were sold to the UK directly as the LB-30A. US funds and serial numbers were deferred to the B-24D production. The seventh (40-702) remained in U.S. service as the sole YB-24 for service test. (Total: 7)

;B-24: Ordered on 27 April 1939, less than 30 days after the XB-24 was ordered and before its completion. Minor modifications included eliminating leading-edge slots and adding de-icing boots. (Total: 1, converted YB-24.)

[[File:DF-ST-88-06744-B-24-Gathering of Eagles convention.JPEG|thumb|LB-30A ''Diamond Lil'' from the [[Commemorative Air Force]]. Airframe returned to B-24A configuration and renamed ''Ol' 927''. She was renamed back to ''Diamond Lil'' in May 2012.{{refn|Quote: "One of the primary reasons we decided to go with the 'A' model, vs the LB-30, was that this airplane was originally a B-24A."<ref name="Warbird Digest 2007">[http://www.warbirddigest.com/backissues/1507.htm "Ol 927: CAF's B-24A Liberator."] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130516224827/http://www.warbirddigest.com/backissues/1507.htm |date=16 May 2013 }} ''Warbird Digest'', Issue 15, July–August 2007, pp. 17–30.</ref>|group=N}}]]

;B-24A/LB-30B: Ordered in 1939, the B-24A was the first production model. Due to the need for long-range aircraft, the B-24A was ordered before any version of the B-24 flew. Aerodynamics improvements over the XB-24 led to better performance. Nine built as transports, transferred to Ferrying Command; while twenty were sold to the UK (before Lend-Lease) as LB-30Bs. (Total: 20 LB-30B; 9 B-24A)

;Liberator B Mk II/LB-30: The first combat-ready B-24. The modifications included a three-foot nose extension, a deeper rear fuselage, wider tailplane, self-sealing fuel tanks, and armor. Built to British specifications with British equipment so there was no B-24 equivalent but it was similar to the B-24C. Except for the first aircraft which was completed as a pattern aircraft, and subsequently lost in a test flight, the rest of the run was completed without armament, which the British would fit after being flown to the UK. With the US entry into the war in December 1941, some 75 were requisitioned by the USAAF during delivery and retained the LB-30 designation in service. These were delivered unarmed. Browning M2 {{cvt|.50|in}} guns were fitted throughout; single guns were mounted in the nose, both waist positions, and the ventral tunnel; and a twin manual mount in the tail replaced the British 4 {{cvt|.303|in|2}} Browning tail turret, and a Martin turret with two guns replaced the Boulton Paul dorsal turret. Fifteen were sent to the south west Pacific, including some to Java to assist the Dutch East Indies, while three went to Alaska, six to Midway Island immediately after the naval battle in June. Six were lost in various accidents. Twenty-three were later returned to the UK in 1943. Seventeen were fitted with ASV radar and used in the Panama Canal Zone. (Total production: 165)

;XB-24B: A newly funded conversion of the XB-24 after it failed to reach its projected top speed. The {{cvt|1000|hp}} [[Pratt & Whitney R-1830]]-33 radials were replaced with R-1830-41 turbo-supercharged radials rated at {{cvt|1200|hp}}, increasing its top speed by {{cvt|37|mph}}. The engine cowlings were made elliptical to accommodate the turbo-superchargers. The XB-24B also lacked the original's engine slots. It was re-serialed. (Total: one converted XB-24) XB-24B 39-680 was converted into a luxury airliner for [[Consairway]] which included gutting the interior, cutting new windows, and dividing the interior into compartments with individual and bench seating and two-tier Pullman-style sleeping berths. Trim was added for sound-proofing, and a galley with refrigerator and hot plates.<ref name=":1">{{Cite book|last=Simons|first=Graham M.|title=Consolidated B-24 Liberator|publisher=Pen & Sword|year=2012|location=Barnsley, UK|isbn=9781848846449|pages=40–42}}</ref>

;B-24C: New production funded from deferred funds after LB-30A to the UK. Used the engine package tested in the XB-24B and the new fuselage of the LB-30. The tail [[air gunner]] position was improved by adding a hydraulically powered Consolidated A-6 turret with twin {{cvt|.50|in|1}} [[machine gun]]s; a [[Glenn L. Martin Company|Martin]] powered dorsal turret was added to the forward fuselage. One (#84) converted to prototype the "three in nose" armament for the B-24D. FY funds and serial numbers transferred from B-24A. (Total: nine)
[[File:Consolidated B-24D Liberators of the 93rd Bomb Group flying in formation, circa in 1943 (6365079).jpg|thumb|B-24Ds of 93rd Bomb Group in formation. Nearest aircraft is ''Joisey Bounce'', almost hidden is wingman ''The Duchess'', next higher is ''Boomerang'' with wingman ''Thunder Mug''.]]

;B-24D: First to see large scale production; ordered from 1940 to 1942, as a B-24C with more powerful R-1830-43 supercharged engines. The D model was initially equipped with a remotely operated and periscopically sighted [[Bendix Corporation|Bendix]] belly turret, as the first examples of the B-17E Flying Fortress and some early models of the [[North American B-25 Mitchell|B-25 Mitchell]] medium bomber had used, but this was unsatisfactory and was discontinued after the 287th aircraft. Later aircraft reverted to the earlier manually operated "tunnel" mounting with a single {{cvt|.50|in|1}} machine gun. The tunnel gun was eventually replaced by the [[Sperry Gyroscope Company|Sperry]] ball turret, which had also been adopted by the later B-17E Fortresses, but made retractable for the Liberator as the fuselage was very close to the ground. Late B-24Ds had "cheek" guns mounted on either side of the nose, just behind the "greenhouse". (Total: 2,696: 2,381 [[Consolidated Aircraft Corporation|Consolidated]], [[San Diego]]; 305 Consolidated, [[Fort Worth]]; 10 [[Douglas Aircraft Company|Douglas]], [[Tulsa, Oklahoma]]).

[[File:Consolidated B-24E (4641192942).jpg|thumb|B-24E]]
;B-24E: A slight alteration of the B-24D built by [[Ford Motor Company|Ford]], using R-1830-65 engines. The B-24E retained the belly tunnel gun. The USAAF used the B-24Es primarily as trainers as were the aircraft produced by Consolidated at San Diego (CO). Ford also built sub-assemblies for [[Douglas Aircraft Company|Douglas]] and Convair Fort Worth; these sub-assemblies were identical to Ford-built B-24Es, except that they used the same R-1830-43 radial engines as the B-24D. These sub-assemblies were called KD (knock down) kits and were trucked from Willow Run to the Southwest for the final assembly. (Total: 801)

;XB-24F: A prototype made to test thermal de-icers to replace the standard inflatable rubber "boots". (Total: one converted B-24D)

;B-24G: Designation for B-24D aircraft built by [[North American Aviation]] pursuant to a 1942 contract. Equipped with [[Sperry Gyroscope Company|Sperry]] ball turret and three flexible {{cvt|.50|in|1}} [[machine gun]]s in nose. (Total: 25)

;B-24G-1: as B-24G but with A-6 nose turret. Most were operated by the 15th Air Force in Italy. (Total: 405)

;B-24H: Because of the vulnerability of the B-24 to head-on attack with the earlier "greenhouse" nose, the B-24H design incorporated an electrically powered Emerson A-15 nose turret above the bombardier's position, similar to where the [[Nash & Thompson|Frazer-Nash]] FN5 nose turret on the Avro Lancaster was placed. Approximately 50 other airframe changes were made, including a redesigned bombardier compartment. The tail turret was given larger windows for better visibility and the Martin A-3 dorsal turret received an enlarged "high hat" dome. The waist gunner positions were enclosed with [[Plexiglass]] windows, and laterally offset to reduce interference between the waist gunners. Most H model aircraft were built by Ford at Willow Run. (Total: 3,100)
[[File:Consolidated B-24J Liberator 3-view line drawing.png|thumb|A 3-view line drawing of a B-24J]]

;B-24J: The B-24J was similar to the B-24H, but shortages of the Emerson nose turret required use of a modified, hydraulically powered Consolidated A-6 turret in most J model aircraft built at Consolidated's San Diego and Fort Worth factories. The B-24J featured an improved autopilot (type C-1) and a M-1 series bombsight. B-24H sub-assemblies made by Ford and constructed by other companies and any model with a C-1 or M-1 retrofit, were all designated B-24J. The J model was the only version to be built by all five factories involved in B-24 production. (Total: 6,678)

;XB-24K: Developed from the B-24ST, with a single fin and rudder replacing the twin tail on the standard Liberator.<ref name="aerofilesConsolidated"/> The improved performance and handling of the B-24ST and XB-24K led to the decision to incorporate a single tail in the PB4Y-2 and B-24N. (Total: one converted B-24D)

;B-24L: Because of the excessive weight of the B-24J, the Army requested a lightened version. In the B-24L, the Sperry ball turret was replaced by a floor ring mount with two {{cvt|.50|in|1}} machine guns, and the A-6B tail turret by an M-6A. Later aircraft were delivered from the factory without tail guns. An A-6B or M-6A turret (190 total), a hand-held but hydraulically assisted twin {{cvt|.50|in|1}} mount (42) or a manually operated twin {{cvt|.50|in|1}} mounting was installed at a depot before delivery to operational units. The L model was built at Willow Run and Consolidated's San Diego factory. (Total: 1,667)

[[File:B-24M-20-CO USAAF.jpg|thumb|B-24M-20-CO ''Bolivar Jr.'' 431st Bomb Squadron, 11th Bomb Group]]
;B-24M: Improved B-24L with further weight-savings. The B-24M used a lighter version of the A-6B tail turret; the waist gunner positions were left open, and the retractable Sperry ventral ball turret was reintroduced. For better visibility from the flight deck, the windshield in Ford-built aircraft was replaced by a version with less framing from Block 20 onward. The B-24M became the last production model of the B-24 and many flew only from the factory to the scrap yard. (Total: 2,593)

;XB-24N: A redesign of the B-24J, made to accommodate a single tail. It also featured an Emerson 128 ball turret in the nose and a stationary tail gunner's position. While 5,168 B-24Ns were ordered, the end of the war resulted in cancellation of all contracts before production could begin. Its single tail was said to be the inspiration for the PB4Y-2 Privateer's similar single fin/rudder tail design. (Total: one)

;YB-24N: Pre-production service test version of the XB-24N. (Total: seven)

;XB-24P: A modified B-24D, used by [[Sperry Gyroscope Company]] to test airborne fire control systems. (Total: one converted B-24D)

;XB-24Q: A [[General Electric]] conversion of the B-24L. Used to test a radar-controlled tail turret intended for use in the [[Boeing B-47 Stratojet]]. (Total: one converted B-24L)

;[[Consolidated XB-41 Liberator|XB-41]]: With no fighters capable of escorting bombers on deep strike missions early in World War II, the Army authorized heavily armed bombers as "gunship" escorts, which resulted in both the B-17 derived [[YB-40 Flying Fortress]] gunship and its Liberator-derived XB-41 counterpart. The XB-41 had fourteen {{cvt|.50|in|1}} [[machine gun]]s, including a Bendix chin turret and a second [[Glenn L. Martin Company|Martin]] A-3 turret on the upper fuselage. One aircraft was completed in 1942. Performance was degraded drastically with the additional turrets and were unable to keep up with bomber formations, particularly when bombs had been dropped. Following testing in 1943 the project was canceled. (Total: one converted B-24D)

;B-24ST: An experimental aircraft, The B-24ST (for '''S'''ingle '''T'''ail, an unofficial designation applied by Ford) was made by [[Ford Motor Company|Ford]] by fitting a single fin and rudder onto a B-24D airframe. The aircraft was more stable and had better handling than other models and was used as the basis of the XB-24K.<ref name="aerofilesConsolidated">[http://www.aerofiles.com/_conso.html Consolidated page at Aerofiles.com] retrieved 23 October 2013</ref>

;AT-22 or TB-24: C-87 used for flight engineer training.
:*'''RB-24L''': Developed for training B-29 gunners on an identical remote gun system installed on a B-24L.
:*'''TB-24L''': As with the RB-24L, but with additional radar equipment.
[[File:Consolidated XB-24J.jpg|thumb|Experimental B-24J-15-CO with B-17G nose grafted on, with a chin turret, a modification not adopted for production]]

;[[Consolidated C-87 Liberator Express|C-87 Liberator Express]]: Transports with accommodation for 20 passengers.
:*'''C-87A''': VIP transports with R-1830-45 instead of -43 engines and sleeping berths for 16 passengers.
:*'''C-87B''': Projected armed transport with nose guns, dorsal turret, and ventral tunnel gun; not produced.
:*'''C-87C''': U.S. Army Air Force/Air Force designation for the RY-3.

;XC-109/C-109: Tankers used to ferry fuel from India to China to support early B-29 raids against Japan.

;XF-7: Photographic reconnaissance variant developed from the B-24D.

;F-7: Photographic reconnaissance variant developed from the B-24H; -FO block.

;F-7A: Photographic reconnaissance variant developed from the B-24J; three cameras in the nose and three in the bomb bay.

;F-7B: Photographic reconnaissance variant developed from the B-24J; six cameras in the bomb bay.

;BQ-8: A number of worn-out B-24D and B-24Js were converted as radio-controlled flying bombs to attack German targets. [[Joseph P. Kennedy Jr.]] was killed in a BQ-8 during [[Operation Aphrodite|Operation Anvil]].<ref>Andrade 1979, p. 60.</ref>

===U.S. Navy nomenclature and sub-variants===
;PB4Y-1: U.S. Navy designation applied to 976 navalized B-24D, J, L and M models built at Consolidated's San Diego factory, as well as one North American-built B-24G. Later aircraft were equipped with an [[Engineering and Research Corporation|ERCO]] nose turret.<ref>Baugher, Joe. [http://www.joebaugher.com/usaf_bombers/b24_29.html "Consolidated PB4Y-1."] ''USAAC/USAAF/USAF Bombers: The Consolidated B-24 Liberator'', 18 August 1999. Retrieved: 15 June 2010.</ref>
;PB4Y-1P: Photographic reconnaissance variant developed from the PB4Y-1.
;[[Consolidated PB4Y-2 Privateer|PB4Y-2 Privateer]]: A developed PB4Y with a large single fin, a lengthened fuselage and many other improvements and changes.
;P5Y: Proposed twin-engined patrol version of PB4Y-1. Unbuilt.<ref name="Wegg p90">Wegg 1990, p. 90.</ref>
;RY-1: U.S. Navy designation for the C-87A.
;RY-2: U.S. Navy designation for the C-87.
;RY-3: Transport variant of the PB4Y-2.
;[[Consolidated R2Y|R2Y]]: ''Liberator Liner'' built using a new fuselage for the US Navy as an airliner with 48 seats

===British Commonwealth nomenclature and sub-variants===
[[File:B 24 in raf service 23 03 05.jpg|thumb|Color photograph of an RAF B.Mk.II]]

;[[Consolidated Liberator I|Liberator C Mk.I]]: YB-24/LB-30A RAF direct purchase aircraft. (Total: 9) Unsuitable for combat, rebuilt as transports and used by [[BOAC]] between the UK and Canada, including transferring aircrew ferrying Lend-Lease aircraft.
;Liberator B Mk.I: B-24A/LB-30B, RAF direct purchase aircraft. (Total: 20) Unsuitable for combat, some rebuilt for other roles.
;Liberator GR Mk.I: Mk.I rebuilt as General Reconnaissance for anti-submarine patrol. Fitted with belly pannier with an additional four fixed forward firing {{cvt|20|mm|3}} Hispano cannon and [[ASV radar]] which included two underwing [[Yagi–Uda antenna]]s and four large antenna "stickleback" masts above the rear fuselage.

;Liberator B Mk.II: LB-30. First combat-ready Liberator. Modifications included a three-foot nose extension as well as a deeper aft fuselage and wider tailplane and self-sealing fuel tanks and armor. Built to British specifications with British equipment and Boulton Paul turrets, so there was no B-24 equivalent but similar to the B-24C. The top turret was further back on the fuselage compared to any US variant, and in line with the trailing edge of the wing. Except for the first aircraft (completed as a pattern but lost in a test flight), the rest were completed without armament, which the British fitted in the UK. With the American entry into the war, the USAAF requisitioned about 75, which it operated under Consolidated's LB-30 designation, but 23 were returned in 1943.  (Total production: 165)
;Liberator C Mk.II: Mk.II transport. Some B Mk.IIs were rebuilt as transports, including one as the personal transport of British [[Prime Minister]] [[Winston Churchill]], which was named '[[Commando (aircraft)|Commando]]', which was later extensively rebuilt to C Mk.IX standard, with a single fin.

;Liberator B Mk.III: B-24D with one nose {{cvt|.303|in|2}} Browning machine gun, two in each waist position, and four in a [[Boulton Paul Aircraft|Boulton Paul]] tail turret similar to that used on the [[Handley Page Halifax]]. The Martin dorsal turret was retained. (Total: 156)
:*'''Liberator B Mk IIIA''': Mk.III with American equipment and weapons.
;Liberator GR Mk.III: Mk.III General Reconnaissance for [[RAF Coastal Command]] for anti-submarine role with [[radar]] (with [[Yagi–Uda antenna]]) and [[Leigh Light]].
:*'''Liberator GR Mk IIIA''': GR.III with American equipment and weapons.
[[File:American Aircraft in Royal Air Force Service 1939-1945- Consolidated Model 32 Liberator. CH18035.jpg|thumb|[[RAF Coastal Command]] [[AI Mk. IV radar#ASV emerges|ASV Mk.II]]-equipped Liberator GR.III of [[No. 120 Squadron RAF]]]]

;Liberator B Mk.IV: Unused designation reserved for B-24E.

;Liberator B Mk.V: B-24D bomber with more fuel but less armor, armed as per Mk.III.
;Liberator GR Mk.V: General Reconnaissance Mk.V for [[RAF Coastal Command]] for anti-submarine role with [[radar]] (some mounted under the nose) and [[Leigh Light]]. Some fitted with eight zero-length rocket launchers, four on each wing, with others being fitted with stub-wings either side of the lower forward fuselage to hold eight [[RP-3]] rails.

;Liberator B Mk.VI: B-24H bomber with nose turret, and Boulton Paul tail turret and retaining the rest of their armament.
;Liberator GR Mk.VI: B-24G/H/J RAF Coastal Command anti-submarine patrol. Some had top turret removed in service, and early examples had Yagi–Uda antenna on older greenhouse nose.
;Liberator C Mk.VI/C Mk.VIT: Mk.VI converted as a cargo aircraft.

;Liberator C Mk.VII: RAF C-87 transport.

;Liberator B Mk.VIII: RAF B-24J bomber.
;Liberator GR Mk.VIII: Mk.VIII for RAF Coastal Command anti-submarine patrol. Some had top turret removed in service, and belly turret replaced with semi-recessed radar dome.
;Liberator C Mk.VIII: Mk.VIII converted as a cargo aircraft.

;Liberator C Mk.IX: RAF RY-3/C-87C transport with a single fin replacing the twin fins on most Liberator versions.

Late in the war RAF Liberator aircraft modified in England for use in South East Asia had the suffix "Snake" stenciled below the serial number to give them priority delivery through the Mediterranean and the Middle East.<ref>Robertson 1998</ref>