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Consolidated B-24C Liberator
Hello everybody. I’d like to suggest the Consolidated B-24C Liberator for the US aviation tree in War Thunder. The B-24C was the direct predecessor to the B-24D and served as an important production standardization model that incorporated turbo-supercharged engines, a lengthened nose, and a redesigned defensive armament suite. Though it did not see combat, the B-24C represented a crucial step in the Liberator’s evolution and would be a perfect fit as a premium, event, or squadron vehicle.
History
When the XB-24 prototype failed to meet several contract specifications, most notably its inability to reach the required top speed of 311 mph, it became clear that substantial upgrades were needed. The Army authorized a refit to include turbo-supercharged engines, armor protection, self-sealing fuel tanks, and a widened tail span. This modified aircraft, designated XB-24B, successfully improved performance at high altitude and incorporated features drawn from RAF experience with early Liberators.
From the XB-24B, the B-24C was developed as a fully revised configuration. It retained the new turbocharged R-1830-41 engines, which required distinct oval-shaped cowlings with dual air intakes for the supercharger and intercooler. These engine nacelles became a defining characteristic of all future B-24 variants.
The B-24C also introduced significant changes to its defensive layout: The former .30 caliber machine guns were replaced with .50 caliber Browning M2s; a twin-gun Martin Model 250CE-3 powered dorsal turret was added behind the cockpit, equipped with an interrupter switch to prevent firing into the vertical tail; a twin-gun Consolidated A-6 power turret was installed in the tail position; and a flexible .50 caliber machine gun in a “tunnel” mount provided coverage under the rear fuselage, as the B-24C lacked a ball turret. Unlike the British Liberator Mk.II, the B-24C reverted to Hamilton Standard propellers, which became standard across later variants.
The US Army received nine B-24Cs between December 1941 and February 1942. Although they were never deployed in combat, they served as production proof-of-concept aircraft to prepare for the mass production of the combat-ready B-24D, which followed immediately after.
Due to their non-combat role, all B-24Cs were designated RB-24C (“R” for restricted) and were used for crew training, flight testing, and systems evaluation.
Specifications
Consolidated B-24C Liberator
Total Produced: 9
General Characteristics
Crew: 10
Dimensions:
Length: 66 ft 4 in (20.22 m)
Height: 18 ft (5.49 m)
Wingspan: 110 ft (33.53 m)
Wing Area: 1,048 sq ft (97.36 sq m)
Propeller:
Type: 4 x 3-bladed Hamilton-Standard Hydromatic
Diameter: 11 ft 7 in (3.53 m)
Powerplant:
Type: 4 x Pratt & Whitney R-1830-43 Twin Wasp
Configuration: Turbo-supercharged radials
Power Output:
Takeoff/Altitude: 1,200 hp (895 kW) each (4,800 hp / 3,580 kW total)
Fuel/Oil:
Fuel Capacity: 2,364-3,164 US gal (8,949-11,976 L) self-sealing
Oil Capacity: 156 US gal (591 L)
Weight:
Empty: 32,300 lb (14,651 kg)
Gross: 41,000 lb (18,597 kg)
Max Takeoff: 53,700 lb (24,358 kg)
Flight Performance
Power-to-Weight Ratio: 0.12 hp/lb (0.19 kW/kg)
Max Speed:
Cruising: 233 mph (375 km/h)
Max @ Altitude: 313 mph (504 km/h) @ 25,000 ft (7,620 m)
Landing: 93 mph (150 km/h)
Wing Loading: 39.1 lb/sq ft (191 kg/sq m)
Time to Altitude: 6.1 min to 10,000 ft (3,048 m)
Service Ceiling: 34,000 ft (10,363 m)
Armament
Defensive Guns:
Dorsal Turret: 2 x 0.50-in (12.7 mm) M2 Browning (400 rpg)
Tail Turret: 2 x 0.50-in (400 rpg)
Waist Positions: 1 x per side (250 rpg)
Nose: 1 x flexible (100 rds)
Ventral Tunnel: 1 x flexible (100 rds)
Bombs:
4 x 2,000-lb
8 x 1,600-lb
8 x 1,000-lb
12 x 500-lb
12 x 250-lb
20 x 100-lb
Related Suggestions
Liberator Family:
Sources
Pilot’s Flight Operating Instructions for Army Models B-24D, RB-24C, and RB-24E Airplanes (20 June 1944)
B-24 Liberator In Action - Aircraft Number 080 (1987)
Warbird Tech Vol. 1 - Consolidated B-24 Liberator (1996)
B-24 Liberator In Detail & Scale Vol. 64 (2000)
Osprey Production Line to Frontline 4 - Consolidated B-24 Liberator (2003)
Crowood Aviation Series - Consolidated B-24 Liberator (2004)
Consolidated B-24 Liberator - Wikipedia Consolidated B-24C Liberator
Thank you for taking the time to read my suggestion! 😃
