Years In Service: 1940-1970
Initial Flight: 1938
The Consolidated B-24 Liberator was used by the 93rd Bomb Group, the predecessor of Castle Air Force Base’s 93rd Bomb Wing. The “D” was the first B-24 to be qualified for combat. The B-24 was the only combat aircraft to serve in every theater of operations during World War II. About 1600 late model B-24s (H, G, L, and M) were delivered under Lend-Lease to Britain. The RAF used them for anti-submarine work, day bombing, and as transports. The M version was the last produced by Consolidated Aircraft.
Aircraft Specifications
Height: 18′ 4″ Wingspan: 110′ Length: 66′ Crew: 10 Armament: Eleven .50 caliber machine guns Payload: 8,800 lbs. of bombs in internal bomb bay No. of Engines: 4 Horsepower: 1,200 hp. Driving three-bladed propellers Cruise speed: 175 mph Max Speed: 290 mph Ceiling: 28,000 ft.