The Consolidated B-24 Liberator was an American heavy bomber, designed by Consolidated Aircraft of San Diego, California. It was known within the company as the Model 32, and a small number of early models were sold under the name LB-30, for Land Bomber. 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 China-Burma-India Theaters
Often compared with the better-known Boeing B-17 Flying Fortress, the B-24 was a more modern design with a higher top speed, greater range, and a heavier bomb load; it was also more difficult to fly, with heavy control forces and poor formation-flying characteristics. Popular opinion among aircrews and general staffs tended to favor the B-17's rugged qualities above all other considerations in the European Theater. The placement of the B-24's fuel tanks throughout the upper fuselage and its lightweight construction, designed to increase range and optimize assembly line production, made the aircraft vulnerable to battle damage. The B-24 was notorious among American aircrews for its tendency to catch fire. Its high fuselage-mounted "Davis wing" also meant it was dangerous to ditch or belly land, since the fuselage tended to break apart. Nevertheless, the B-24 provided excellent service in a variety of roles thanks to its large payload and long range and was the only bomber to operationally deploy the United States' first forerunner to precision-guided munitions during the war, the 1,000 lb. Azon guided bomb.
The B-24's most costly mission was the low-level strike against the Ploie?ti oil fields, in Romania on 1 August 1943, which turned into a disaster because the defense was underestimated and fully alerted while the attackers were disorganized.
The B-24 ended World War II as the most produced heavy bomber in history. At over 18,400 units, half by Ford Motor Company, it still holds the distinction as the most-produced American military aircraft.
| Item No | 81774 |
| Item Name | US B-24J Liberator |
| Bar Code | 6939319217745 |
| Scale | 1:48 |
| Item Type | Plastic Model Aircraft Kit |
| Model Dimension | Length: 430.3mm Wingspan: 694.6mm |
| Total Plastic Parts | 490+ |
| Total Sprues | 20 sprues and tires |
| Chromeplate Parts | n/a |
| Resin Parts | n/a |
| Metal Parts | n/a |
| Photo Etched Parts | 1 piece |
| Film Accessory | n/a |
| Released Date | 2023-12 |
| More Features | - Detailed fuselage&wing w/accurate design - Finely detailed cockpit,gear cabin, - Grooved rubber tires - PE parts included |
I am happy with the manufacturers packaging. Quite professional. the Sprues look good. Detail is a good starting point for a well detailed model. Im backdating mine from the J to the D. . Highly recommended
I have not begun the build yet but spent alot of time examining the parts sprues. I have several unbuilt 1/48 B-24 Monogram kits and HobbyBoss is much nicer, which is to be expected given the age of the Monogram kits. Once the build begins I think one source of frustration will be covering up all of the surface interior once fuselage halves are assembled.
Looks like a B-24 to me despite what the rivet counters say.