Consolidated Liberator II - differences

[Zen Han]

Hi

I would be most grateful if anyone can give me any information whatsoever on Consolidated Liberator II for the RAF/LB-30 under RAF serials AL503/AL667.
Were theirs bodies, painting, armory, equipment and the others exactly the same or differed? Any pictures?

The reason why I am interested in this subject is that one source states that they were VIP's version, second source ferry version, next source cargo and ferry version and the other source regular passenger. What differed all versions?

So any information would be very welcome. Thanks in advance.

Zen

[Virgil Hiltz]

Liberator AL-503 crashed into Sab Diego bay on its acceptance flight and AL-667 was not built.

[Zen Han]

You're right Virgil,
Totally 165 aircrafts were ordered under RAF serials AL503/AL667, but only 140 were actually built, but how did they look like?

[Virgil Hiltz]

Here is a descrition that might help.


http://www.airtoaircombat.com/backgroun ... =61&bg=744

I would sugesst researching Quantas after this. They may have some more detailed interior shots.

[Zen Han]

Thanks,
It seems that Qantas Airlines operated, silver kolor, full passenger versions of Liberator Mk II, but rest of them could being of different equipment. Liberator AL-504 for example, had got not large windows, and was not silver kolor but grey-green.
greetings

[Cantankerous]

Thanks,
It seems that Qantas Airlines operated, silver kolor, full passenger versions of Liberator Mk II, but rest of them could being of different equipment. Liberator AL-504 for example, had got not large windows, and was not silver kolor but grey-green.
greetings

The Liberator II with RF serial AL504 Commando initially had a regular B-24 Liberator nose and twin vertical stabilizers despite the internal modifications, but was later fitted with the single vertical stabilizer of the PB4Y-2 Privateer.

Link:
https://www.chiltonbooks.online/product ... xplanation
https://www.airhistory.net/photo/287667/AL504
https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File ... CH8554.jpg

[Zen Han]

Cantankerous. Tanks a lot especially for the second link. This item is exactly similar to airplane crashed with Polish Prime Premier on Enxile in Gibraltar. I still investigate it. Searching for snapshot of interior AL 50?

[EwenS]

The story of the early Liberators acquired by Britain is complicated. Short version.

Prior to June 1940 the French had ordered 175 and Britain 6. But when the French order was taken over by Britain the numbers were adjusted down to 165 in total. To get the aircraft quickly the order was settled by:-

6xLB-30A (ex YB-24 from USAAF orders) delivered Jan-May 1941
20xLB-30B (ex B-24A from USAAF orders) delivered Apr-Aug 1941
139xLB30 delivered from Aug 1941.

The first LB-30, AL503, crashed before delivery but was replaced by a new airframe, serial FP685.

As deliveries of the LB-30 were incomplete at 7 Dec 1941 when the USA entered the war, the undelivered aircraft, numbering 75, were retained by the USAAF. 23 of these were later relaeased back to the RAF in 1942 in lieu of later B-24D airframes. So US retentions eventually totalled 52 of which 17 started life with the 6th BG in Panama, 3 with the 28th CG in Alaska, 15 with the 19th BG in Java & 4 in Hawaii with the remaining 13 in service as transports and trainers.

In RAF service the 6 LB-30 A and 9 of the LB-30B became transports. 11 of the LB-30B became Liberator GR.I for Coastal Command.

Of the eventual 87 LB-30 received by the RAF, 10 were converted as Liberator GR.II for Coastal Command, 53 as B.II for bomber squadrons in the Middle & Far East from late 1941, with the remaining 10 as transports. As time went on as the surviving coastal and bomber aircraft were replaced in front line service they assumed transport roles. These aircraft only became MK.II when converted as aircraft for Coastal Command or as bombers.

AL504 Commando was initially used for acceptance tests by Consolidated before being handed over to the RAF in April 1942 for use as a transport, receiving its single tailfin and other modifications between Aug 1943 & April 1944 at the Tuscon Modification Centre.

AL523 was the aircraft that crashed at Gibraltar killing Gen Sikorski on 4 July 1943. Initially used after delivery for some unspecified trials it was modified as a transport from May 1942 before going to 511 squadron in Nov 1942.

Interior shots of these transport Liberators are rare. They were also modified over time to increase comfort levels.

[Zen Han]

Thanks, EwenS

Any interior snapshots?

[EwenS]

Sorry, can’t help with photos

[EwenS]

Thanks, EwenS

Any interior snapshots?

Now found one of an early RAF Liberator transport. How to travel in real luxury! Not!!

https://i0.wp.com/www.destinationsjourn ... .jpg?ssl=1