B-24A--B-24D differences

[jangus]

Hello all,

Hope everyone had a happy holiday. I was wondering if any one out there can give me a rundown on the differences between a B-24A and a B-24D?
Or maybe direct me to some resources that would?

Thanks,

John

[retroaviation]

Howdy John, I'm sure lots of folks will be looking at me to answer your question, but frankly, I'm still learning all of the differences between all of the B-24 models myself. So in order to keep me from giving you some not-so-accurate information, I think I'm going to pass the torch over to some of the other folks that could give you better details and maybe I'll interject some info I do know about as time goes by.

Gary

[Steve Corbett]

One of the major differences is the wing. From the outside they look the same, But they made major internal structual changes. Thus the Wing AD did not appy to this wing but we did it anyway for added safety. The B-24-A is a wet wing (no fuel cells) also the engine mount structure is totally different as well. The fuselage is almost the same, shorter nose section the side gunner's doors are higher and swing down on a B-24-A. Some people are confused as far as Diamond Lil's nose goes. After the landing accident in New Mexico, Consolidated installed a new forward section from the aft pillar of the pilots window forward. There was not a plug (extention section) nor was the greenhouse changed out seperately. The B-24-D was the variety that was being assembled at the time so they grafted that one on. A few of the very early B-24s even had a flight engineer position with throttle quadrants etc.
Hope this helps. Steve

[retroaviation]

Thanks Steve! I knew you'd bail me out of having to answer that question.

Gary

[Connery]

Another one of the obvious external differences besides the shorter nose section is the engine cowlings. The early B-24A's had round cowlings where as D models and later had the eliptical cowlings with the intakes on either side. Also, the D had the upper and lower gun turrets where the A had the gun positions that Gary has been showing us as he creates it for 'Lil.

[Ztex]

Weren't the Lil cowlings - make due at the time - PBY cowlings?


A couple of questions...
Where was this photo taken? ( great photo! )
and what is the airplane in the back ground?

[Jerry O'Neill]

and what is the airplane in the back ground?

I'm not 100% sure, but it looks like the one and only R2Y Liberator Liner.
Jerry
Check out this link:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Consolidated_R2Y

[hahnej]

It looks like a long Privateer with no turrets, OD paint, and an early model (no nose turret) nose. Did they make transport Privateers?

[Ztex]

Airdales I think you may have it!

That's cool!




hahnej,
Welcome to the board!

The OD Privateer without turrets is an interesting piece too.

Z

[Connery]

That OD Privateer IS interesting. Even the XB-24K which was a B-24D model with a B-23 tail grafted to it to start the Privateer line had the nose turret on it, as well as the typical D model engine cowlings.

[Connery]

AHHHH found what that one is. Is the RY-3 Liberator Express. It is the transport version of the PB4Y-2 Privateer.

[groundpounder]

you guys are SICK! i dont know how some of you guys know what you know but its sure nice to be able to learn from reading your posts. keep up the great postings!!! thanks!

[Connery]

Connery,

Actually, I think it's actually this one: http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/e ... ed_R2Y.jpg

hahnej and I were talking about the OD Green Privateer without any armament that is in the center of the photo.

[Jerry O'Neill]

I actually remember the R2Y because I think it was available as a model kit in the 1970's from Matchbox, unless my mind is slipping.
Jerry

[Connery]

Matchbox did the PB4Y-2, the only actual kit of it made, not sure about the RY-2 though.