Consolidated B-24 Liberator and PB4Y Privateer Ideas and Inspiration

[arkon]

I always thought a b-24 would look nice with an amphibious hull.😄

[jcf]

I always thought a b-24 would look nice with an amphibious hull.😄

It would look like a four engine version of its predecessor, the Model 31. 

[elmayerle]

Why does my mind want to see a cross between a XB-24Q and a XB-24N?  You might even be able to move the remote turret forward a bit since you would no longer need to worry about hitting the vertical tails.

[GTX_Admin]

I always thought a b-24 would look nice with an amphibious hull.😄

It would look like a four engine version of its predecessor, the Model 31. 

Speaking of the related model 31, what about a bigger version of this proposed variant:

[finsrin]

I always thought a b-24 would look nice with an amphibious hull.

It would look like a four engine version of its predecessor, the Model 31. 

Good call Jon.  Yes the linage is apparent.
Amphibious hull B-24 had crossed my mind too.

[raafif]

based on hulls from Sunderland & Catalina .....

[Cliffy B]

The B-24 Flying boat (1st drawing) looks VERY believable!!!! 

[raafif]

The B-24 Flying boat (1st drawing) looks VERY believable!!!! 

thanks Cliffy ... but when the Lib's structure is so flimsy & would need much strengthening for a 'boat, why not just license-build the Sunderland

[elmayerle]

The B-24 Flying boat (1st drawing) looks VERY believable!!!! 

thanks Cliffy ... but when the Lib's structure is so flimsy & would need much strengthening for a 'boat, why not just license-build the Sunderland

Beautiful art.  I'm thinking though, that an updated Model 31, incorporating much of the Liberator would have a better chance.  Given Consolidated's involvement with flying boats, I can't see them licensing the Sunderland and arguing strenuously against anyone else so doing.

[kitnut617]

It is often forgotten that the Indian Air Force flew Liberators until 1968!

Click on the image below to read more details

My Dad told me when he was stationed at Digri with 617 Sqn. just after the war , he watched the B-24's the RAF had being flown out to sea where the minimal crew would bail out and then the aircraft would crash into the sea ----

[The Big Gimper]

And we have an Indian B-24 at the Canadian Aviation and Space Museum in Ottawa. 

Got it in exchange for a Lysander. 

[jcf]

The B-24 Flying boat (1st drawing) looks VERY believable!!!! 

thanks Cliffy ... but when the Lib's structure is so flimsy & would need much strengthening for a 'boat, why not just license-build the Sunderland

Beautiful art.  I'm thinking though, that an updated Model 31, incorporating much of the Liberator would have a better chance.  Given Consolidated's involvement with flying boats, I can't see them licensing the Sunderland and arguing strenuously against anyone else so doing.

... or a Coronado with Model 31 - Model 32/Liberator type wing.

[ysi_maniac]

Liner based on B-24

[GTX_Admin]

Or taking a more aggressive stance:

[GTX_Admin]

One I did ages ago - a turboprop powered AEW Liberator derivative:

[GTX_Admin]

The actual 'Liberator Liner' Consolidated Model 39 (Convair Model 104)/XR2Y-1:

[GTX_Admin]

Many of you will be familiar with the JB-17G turboprop testbed:




Well, what if it was the JB-24 instead:

[kitnut617]

Or taking a more aggressive stance:

Got the Pavla conversion to do this (1/72 of course    )

[Volkodav]

Liberators retained by the RAAF post war and converted to the MPA/GR role once the Lincolns start to come on line.  With the formation of the RAN FAA the RAAF has a hissy fit and dumps the MPA role as well seeing the Liberators transferred to RAN control (and colours) from 1948 where they are retained well into the 60s due to inter service rivalry making it difficult to secure money to replace them.  While replacement was too expensive many upgrades were possible.

[GTX_Admin]

I have plans for a RAAF PB4Y Privateer in 1/48...

[Volkodav]

I have plans for a RAAF PB4Y Privateer in 1/48...

Always liked the privateer, prefer it to the base Liberator.  Always thought it was quite odd to have replaced the Libs with Lincolns instead of something more advanced, maybe GAF could have licenced something for an entirely different requirement and let the RAAF keep the Libs for longer.  Maybe they could build a tactical bomber to replace the Beaufort / Beaufighter before then building the Canberra and keep the Libs until something like the Valiant or B-47 became available.  This would give lots of options for upgrades to keep the type competitive through the remainder of the 40s with replacement not becoming an issue until Korea kicks off, the large number of airframes delivered during the war would have also provided a massive pool of parts to sustain the type but also excess frames to convert to transports and MPAs.

[The Big Gimper]

Source: Consolidated PB4Y-1/1P Liberator by Steve Ginter

[GTX_Admin]

Interesting

[finsrin]

Such B-24 variants !
Wonder how well a 1/72 liner kit would sell ?
HVAR and 4 gun turret both make bad day for subs etc....

[elmayerle]

Just a thought, Canadian PB4Y=2's converted to Merlin-power for commonality with RCAF North Stars.