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Consolidated B-24G-10-NT Liberator
Hello everybody. I’d like to suggest the B-24G-10-NT Liberator, a solely North American-built variant of the B-24, for the US aviation tree in War Thunder. The B-24G was a significant production run carried out entirely by North American Aviation, and the G-10-NT block was the most numerous of the series. This block included key upgrades such as improved R-1830-65 engines, a Sperry ball turret, and the Emerson power-operated nose turret. Late B-24G models with those features were exclusively serving with the 15th Air Force in Italy.
History
As part of the Liberator Production Pool Agreement, North American Aviation was contracted to build the B-24 under the designation B-24G, with “G” denoting NAA as the primary contractor. Production was carried out at the company’s Dallas facility in Texas. The first few aircraft, 25 in total, were essentially identical to the late-production B-24D, retaining the R-1830-43 engines, glazed nose with up to three .50-cal machine guns, and the Sperry ball turret. These early aircraft were designated B-24G-NT, and the first was delivered in March 1943.
Combat experience quickly revealed a major vulnerability in B-24s: the greenhouse-style nose provided insufficient protection against frontal attacks by enemy fighters. In response, field modifications began to retrofit nose turrets on in-service B-24Ds. Learning from this, the 26th B-24G (and beyond) were built with a powered Emerson nose turret starting with the B-24G-1-NT block, delivered in November 1943.
The B-24G-10-NT, the focus of this suggestion, was a significant improvement over the earlier blocks. It introduced two major changes: a Sperry power-operated ball turret replaced the earlier ring-mounted ventral gun, improving defensive coverage; and the original engines were replaced with Pratt & Whitney R-1830-65s that boosted the performance, allowing the aircraft to carry a maximum bomb load of up to 12,800 lbs.
The G-10 block also reverted to outward-opening nose gear doors; this was a design that would carry over into later B-24 variants. Unlike some earlier blocks, most G-10 aircraft were delivered in a natural metal finish, as the Olive Drab/Neutral Gray camouflage was phased out beginning with this production block.
In terms of service, the B-24G-10-NT saw action almost exclusively with the 15th Air Force in the Mediterranean Theater, operating out of Italy. These aircraft did not serve with the 8th Air Force in the European Theater. Though heavier than the earlier Ford-built B-24H, the added weight was quickly addressed.
A total of 430 B-24Gs were built, ending with the B-24G-16-NT. Production concluded in June 1944, after which North American transitioned to producing the B-24J. Interestingly, Ford’s B-24H began delivery about three months before the first B-24G-1s rolled out, and the H-series eventually incorporated many of the same features found in the B-24G.
Specifications
Consolidated B-24G-10-NT Liberator
Total Produced: 430 (all blocks)
General Characteristics
Crew: 10
Dimensions:
Length: 67 ft 2 in (20.47 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-1830-65 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 (self-sealing)
Oil Capacity: 131.6 US gal (498 L)
Weight:
Empty: 36,500 lb (16,556 kg)
Gross: 56,000 lb (25,401 kg)
Max Takeoff: 65,000 lb (29,484 kg)
Max Bomb Load: 12,800 lb (5,806 kg)
Flight Performance
Power-to-Weight Ratio: 0.09 hp/lb (0.14 kW/kg)
Max Speed:
Max @ 25,000 ft: 290 mph (467 km/h)
Max @ 30,000 ft: 278 mph (447 km/h)
Wing Loading: 53.4 lb/sq ft (261 kg/sq m)
Time to Altitude: 31 min to 25,000 ft (7,620 m)
Service Ceiling: 30,000 ft (9,144 m)
Armament
Defensive Guns (10 x .50-cal):
Total Ammunition: 3,876 rounds
Nose Turret: 2 x M2 Browning (400 rpg)
Top Turret: 2 x M2 Browning (380 rpg)
Ball Turret: 2 x M2 Browning (508 rpg)
Waist Positions: 1 x per side (250 rds)
Tail Turret: 2 x M2 Browning (400 rpg)
Bombs:
2 x 4,000-lb on wings
2 x 2,000-lb on wings
4 x 2,000-lb
8 x 1,600-lb
12 x 1,000-lb
12 x 500-lb
12 x 300-lb
12 x 250-lb
20 x 100-lb
Related Suggestions
Liberator Family:
Sources
EE-393 Wartime Tactical Planning Characteristics & Performance Charts (1 July 1944)
AN 01-5E-2 Erection and Maintenance Instructions for B-24D, G, H, and J (25 October 1944)
AN 01-5EE-1 Pilot’s Flight Operating Instructions for B-24G, H, J, L, and M (30 November 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 North American B-24G Liberator
Thank you for taking the time to read my suggestion! 😃
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