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 | 81775 |
| Item Name | US B-24D Liberator |
| Bar Code | 6939319217752 |
| Scale | 1:48 |
| Item Type | Plastic Model Aircraft Kit |
| Model Dimension | Length: 430.3mm Wingspan: 694.6mm |
| Total Plastic Parts | 500+ |
| Total Sprues | 21 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 | 2024-08 |
| More Features | - Detailed fuselage&wing w/accurate design - Finely detailed cockpit,gear cabin, - Grooved rubber tires - PE parts included |
Kit arrived well packed and in good order. Nice level of detail both internally and externally and parts fit is (so far) exceptional. Clear and easily followed instructions.
Only significant negatives are the too-rounded engine nacelles, the simplified engines themselves, and the inexplicable split of the tail turret transparency that's impossible to hide. Aftermarket fixes are, or will be, available for most of these issues if they bother you. Otherwise a pretty impressive kit that should be fun to build and result in an impressive model of the famous B-24D to complement HB's previous B-24J.
The Model is ten time's better than the old Revell kit in details and fit. Decal look good! But can not say they work well as I have not use them yet. Accuracy is good but with some differences between the old Revell model and the Hobbyboss nose glass, I think the Hobbyboss got it right looking at photographs of the real Bomber.
Will take up a lot of room, it a big plane! but worth the effort to put something different in your collection.