The B-24 had different models. They ranged from the A model through the M model. The biggest changes in design came with the B-24C, which added top and tail turrets. The B-24G saw the addition of a power turret that replaced the twin handheld .50 caliber machine guns that were located in the nose. The B-24J was the model that was produced in the largest quantity. Of the 18,188 B-24 Liberators built, 6,678 were J's.

While the Liberator lacked the capability of withstanding the enemy fire that the Flying Fortress had, it did what it was designed to do - it took the war to the Axis Powers with a larger bomb load, greater speed and farther range then the Flying Fortress had.

Consolidated B-24H "Liberator"

The B-24H was the result of a design effort to improve the defensive firepower of the basic B-24D design. Combat experience showed even the late model B-24Ds with three nose mounted .50-cal. machine guns were vulnerable to head-on attacks. Some B-24Ds had power nose turrets (modified Emerson A-6 tail turrets) added at depot facilities and had greater success fending off frontal assaults. The Army Air Force wanted this improvement incorporated into the B-24s coming off the production lines, so Emerson and Consolidated engineers redesigned the aircraft to accept the turret. The results were sent to the Ford Willow Run plant for manufacture. The nose turret addition required more than 50 airframe changes including a new bombardier compartment. Other improvements incorporated to improve the defensive strength of the aircraft included a new tail turret design with larger plexiglass windows, a higher top turret bubble for increased visibility and offset waist gunner positions (starting with block 20 aircraft) to prevent the waist gunners from interfering with each other in battle. The -H model design was sent to North American which built it as the B-24G-1. Ford also sent B-24H subassemblies to Consolidated and Douglas for final assembly.

Notes:

• B-24H Serial numbers: 41-28574 to 41-29006; 41-29116 to 41-29608; 42-50277 to 42-50451; 42-51077 to 42-51225; 42-52077 to 42-52776; 42-64432 to 42-64501; 42-7465 to 42-7769; 42-94729 to 42-95503
• 1780 built by Ford at their Willow Run plant in 7 production blocks
• 738 assembled by Consolidated at their Fort Worth plant.
• 582 assembled by Douglas at their Tulsa plant.

Specs of the B-24 Liberator:

• Wing span: 110 feet
• Length: 67 feet, 2 inches
• Height: 18 feet Engines: 4 supercharged, 1,200 horsepower Pratt & Whitney R-1830-65
• Top speed: 290 mph at 25,000 feet
• Cruise speed: 215 mph Range: 3,700 miles (max. ferry range); 2,100 miles w/ 5,000 lbs. bomb load
• Service ceiling: 28,000 feet Empty weight: 36,500 pounds
• Gross weight: 56,000
• Maximum fuel load: 3,614 gallons Armament: Ten .50-cal. and 12,800 lbs. of bombs

Crew: 10 (pilot, co-pilot, navigator, bombardier, engineer, radio operator, 4 gunners)
Maximum bomb load: 8,800 pounds
Defensive armament: Ten .50 caliber machine guns with 5,200 rounds of ammunition.