Consolidated Liberator GR VIII

  • A four-engine heavy bomber designed by Consolidated Aircraft Corporation / Consolidated Vultee Aircraft Corporation in the U.S. and produced from 1940 to 1945
  • Also used for maritime patrol by the U.S. Navy, RAF, and the RCAF during the Second World War
  • Developed quickly, going from design to first flight all during 1939
  • Ideal as a bomber and maritime patrol aircraft due to its long-range and load capabilities
  • Christened "the Liberator" by the RAF, the name was adopted by the Americans
  • RCAF operated four Liberator anti-submarine squadrons, one heavy transport squadron and one bomber squadron during the Second World War
  • American actor Jimmy Stewart commanded a Liberator squadron in the U.S. Army Air Forces
Period
Second World War (1939-1945)
Uses
Maritime Patrol
First Flight
December 29, 1939 (XB-24)
Display Status
In Storage Wing.

Background History

The Liberator was designed as a strategic bomber to augment the already existing Boeing B-17. Large numbers were produced and they flew effectively in all Second World War theatres. Though more vulnerable than the B-17, the Liberator had excellent load and long-range capabilities, which made it ideal for ocean patrol and anti-submarine duties. Those without armament were used as transports. A single-tailed patrol bomber version flew with the US Navy during the war.

The Liberator, with its long range, could provide convoy protection in mid-Atlantic where other land-based aircraft were not able to operate. This capability was instrumental in turning the tide against the U-Boats in the latter half of Second World War. Transport versions were operated from Ottawa, carrying mail, passengers, and VIPs between Canada and Europe.

Museum Example

Registration #
11130 (RCAF)
Manufacturer
Ford Motor Company, United States
Manufacture Date
1945
Construction #
Unknown
Acquisition Date
1968
Provenance
Exchange with Indian Air Force
Museum Catalogue #
1968.0897.001

This Liberator was manufactured at the Ford Motor Company plant at Willow Run, Michigan and delivered to the RAF in 1944 on the Lend-Lease program. It was abandoned in India after the Second World War. The Indian Air Force (IAF) refurbished it in 1949, using it until 1968.

The Liberator came to Canada as a result of a gift the RCAF had made to the IAF. In 1967, the IAF's Chief of Air Staff visited the Museum at Rockcliffe airport. He was so enthusiastic about the Westland Lysander III display that when another Lysander became available, a high-ranking Canadian officer sent the Rockcliffe airport Lysander III to India as a gift. In return, the IAF's Chief of Air Staff arranged that this Liberator be given to Canada.

A Canadian crew ferried the aircraft from New Delhi to Canada. The journey took sixty-nine flying hours and covered a distance of 16,900 kilometres (the longest ferry flight of any Museum aircraft), arriving in Canada in June 1968. No. 6 Repair Depot RCAF at Trenton, Ontario subsequently refinished it as an RCAF Eastern Air Command anti-submarine aircraft.

Technical Specifications

 
Wing Span 33.5 m (110 ft)
Length 20.5 m (67 ft 2 in)
Height 5.5 m (18 ft)
Weight, Empty 16,555 kg (36,500 lb)
Weight, Gross 29,252 kg (64,500 lb)
Cruising Speed: 346 km/h (215 mph)
Max Speed 483 km/h (300 mph)
Rate of Climb 6,100 m (20,000 ft) / 25 min
Service Ceiling 8,530 m (28,000 ft)
Range 3,380 km (2,100 mi)
Power Plant four Pratt & Whitney R-1830-65 Twin Wasp, 1,200 hp, radial engines