Consolidated Liberator I

Liberator I
Photo of early Liberator in RAF markings
Role	Anti-submarine warfare
Manufacturer	Consolidated Aircraft Corporation
Designer	Isaac M. Laddon
First flight	1941
Introduction	1941
Retired	1946, UK 1947, BOAC
Status	Retired
Primary user	RAF
Number built	20
Unit cost	$ 258,074.67
Developed from	B-24 Liberator

Consolidated Liberator I was the service name of the first Consolidated B-24 Liberator 4-engined bombers to see use with the Royal Air Force (RAF).

In August 1939, the United States Army Air Corps (USAAC) ordered 38 examples of the Consolidated B-24A. From this order, 20 aircraft (serial numbers 40-2349 to 40-2368) were released for direct purchase by the RAF where it was given the service name Liberator B.Mk.I (from "Bomber Mark 1").

The twenty Liberator B.Mk.I were delivered to the RAF starting in mid 1941 and were given serial numbers AM910 to AM929. After a period of testing at the Aeroplane and Armament Experimental Establishment (A&AEE) at RAF Boscombe Down, England, it was found to be unsuitable for combat over Europe. Among the deficiencies cited were the lack of self-sealing fuel tanks, poor defensive armament and general lack of combat readiness.

The long range and heavy bomb load however, made the Liberator a natural choice for RAF Coastal Command (CC) for use in long-range maritime patrols against the U-boat menace. Twelve aircraft were sent to Scottish Aviation in Prestwick, Scotland for extensive conversion to meet the anti-submarine warfare role and they were redesignated Liberator GR.Mk.I - the 'GR' standing for 'General Reconnaissance'. The conversion included addition of Air to Surface Vessel radar (ASV) and a pack of four forward firing 20 mm Hispano cannon under the forward bomb bay. Some aircraft were further modified with a pair of stub wings on the fuselage under each wing which carried eight 3 inch (76mm) "60 pound" rockets along with the installation of a Leigh light under the right wing.

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