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Aviation History
1942
1942 - 1797.PDF
AUGUST 27TH, 1942 IpIR CHARACTERISTICS LIBERATOR II -* -*J» DIMENSIONS Span Length .. 1 Height .. Wing area .. 110ft. 63ft. /9ft. 1,050 sq.ft. THE most important difference (especially to the crews) between the Liberator I and the Liberator II is the latter's vastly improved armament, which is equal to that of British-built bombers. Quantity produc tion of the latest type of the Consolidated four-engined bomber is in full swing in a number of American fac tories as part of the general scheme involving a vast sys tem of sub-contracting not unlike our own shadow factory scheme. Approximately half the output under this scheme are Liberator lis and half Boeing Flying Fortress lis. The earlier deliveries of the Liberator I are used mainly on the Atlantic ferry service, where their limited defensive arma ment does not expose them to any undue risks. All-metal construction with light alloy stressed-skin, flush-riveted covering is employed throughout, with the usual exception of fabric-covered control surfaces. The fuselage is a monocoque structure and the wings are of the multi-spar type. The latter employ the now celebrated Davis aerofoil of abnormally thin section for which 25 per cent, less drag is claimed in comparison with more normal types. From the spotter's angle, the chief point about the wings of the Liberator is their very high aspect- ratio, their span of noft. being the greatest of any bomber at present in service with the R.A.F. As the Consolidated concern concentrated formerly on flying boats—the Liberator being their first big land bomber—it is natural that much of their flying-boat experi ence has been built into the latter, and certain features are distinctly unusual, notably the outwardly retracting under carriage which, attached beneath the inner engine nacelles, raises the wheels into recesses in the centre-section between the two nacelles on each wing. A nosewheel provides the up-to-date tricycle undercarriage arrangement. Power is provided by four Pratt and Whitney Twin-Wasp 14-cyl. radialengineseachof 1,200 h.p., carried in underslung nacelles with oval cowlings whose flat sides are set hori zontally. Top speed is 335 m.p.h. at 16,oooft., cruis ing speed 230 m.p.h., service ceiling 36,000ft., and the range at cruising speed approximately 3,000 miles. The maximum loaded weight is 41,000 lb., and the bomb load is quoted at 8,000 lb. The crew carried varies from six to nine according to requirements.
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