PB4Y-1 Navy Liberator Scale Model (Free Shipping)

Item#: AB24Y1

MSRP Price: $231.95

Factory Direct Price: $159.95

Wing Span: 21.50
Length: 13.50

Manufacturer: Consolidated Aircraft

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Introducing Factory Direct Models PB4Y-1 Navy Liberator Mahogany Airplane Model, This Model Airplane Replica was hand crafted with absolute precision using the finest Philippine Mahogany. Working from our library of blueprints, reference materials and their photographs, Factory Direct Models master artisans recreated this historic military warplane into an incredibly desktop display model.

Please note that the stand shown in this photograph may vary or change with the model you receive.

We also make Custom Made Airplane Models to meet your specifications with the capability to include your company logo and inscribed inscription plaque to make your model a personalized work of art. If you would like personalized Custom Model Model Please Call (866) 580-8727.

PB4Y-1 Navy Liberator History:

The PB4Y-1 was a navalized version of the USAAF B-24. It had its origin in a deal cut in mid-1942 between the Navy and the USAAF. The Navy was anxious to acquire a long-range, land-based heavy maritime reconnaissance and patrol aircraft capable of carrying a substantial bombload, but the USAAF had always resisted what it perceived as an encroachment into its jealously-guarded land-based bomber program. However, the USAAF needed an aircraft plant to manufacture its next generation of heavy bombers, the B-29 Superfortress. It just so happened that the Navy owned a plant at Renton, Washington, which was at that time being operated by Boeing for the manufacture of the PBB-1 Sea Ranger twin-engined patrol flying boat. The Army proposed that the Navy cancel the Sea Ranger program and turn over the Renton factory to them for B-29 production. In exchange, the USAAF would get out of the antisubmarine warfare business and would drop its objections to the Navy's operation of land-based bombers. The Navy would get "navalized" B-24 Liberators, B-25 Mitchells, and B-34/B-37 Venturas for use in maritime reconnaissance and antisubmarine warfare. The Navy readily agreed to this arrangement.

The navalized Liberator was assigned the designation PB4Y-1. The initial PB4Y-1s were essentially B-24Ds delivered to the Navy with very little change and assigned Navy Bureau of Aeronautics serial numbers. They were drawn from a variety of B-24D block numbers.

Later Navy Liberators were based on the B-24G, J, L, and M versions, with their factory-installed Consolidated A-6A/B or Emerson A-15 nose turrets, although some of them had ERCO turrets installed at the factory. However, they retained the same naval designation of PB4Y-1 as the initial planes based on the B-24D. All PB4Y-1s had Martin A-3 upper turrets and Consolidated A-6A/B tail turrets.

In service, several B-24D-based PB4Y-1s were retrofitted with ERCO (Engineering and Research Company) ball turrets in their noses. This ball turret had originally been designed for the now-cancelled Boeing XPBB-1 Sea Ranger patrol bomber. The ERCO ball turret was essentially spherical whereas the earlier Consolidated or Emerson turrets were essentially cylindrical.

Many Navy patrol squadrons were designated "VP" at the beginning of World War 2, but by mid-1942 their designation had changed to "VB" for heavier-than-air bombing. In October 1944, all Navy and later Privateer squadrons were redesignated "VPB" for Patrol Bombing. After the end of the war, when several of the Navy Liberator squadrons had been disestablished, the old squadron designation "VP" was revived, and took up with the World War 2 numbering system--for example, VPB-106 became VP-106. Photo-reconnaissance squadrons were designated by the code "VD". The Marine Corps Liberator units were known as "VMD", for heavier-than-air Marine photo reconnaissance.

The Navy Liberators first entered service with VB-101 at NAS Barber Point, Hawaii in September of 1942. In the European theatre, the USAAF Antisubmarine Command had been initially assigned the responsibility for antisubmarine warfare, and flew antisubmarine operations out of bases in the USA and in Britain. As part of the deal cut with the Navy, the USAAF agreed to get out of the antisubmarine patrol business. When the USAAF's antisubmarine units were disbanded in 1943, their ASV radar-equipped B-24Ds were traded to the Navy in exchange for new production B-24Ds that had already been earmarked for the Navy. Navy and Marine Corps squadrons soon began flying the Liberator on long-range antisubmarine patrols over both the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans. VB-110, based at Cornwall in England, took over antisubmarine duties from the USAAF's 479th ASG. VB-104 began operating PB4Y-1s out of Henderson Field, Guadalcanal in 1ate 1943. Modifications were made to permit installation of the AN/ARC-1 radar intercept receiver. By May of 1945, there were 24 Navy and Marine Corps squadrons flying the PB4Y-1.

VB-116 began ECM operations with PB4Y-1s out of Eniwetok Atoll in March of 1944. They flew sorties against Japanese radar installations on Truk, and made radar plots at 1000-, 1000- and 500-foot altitudes. These plots helped airstrikes pick approach directions which would minimize alert time for the enemy.

The Navy also operated Liberators with five World War II photographic squadrons: VD-1, VD-3, VD-4, and VD-5 got PB4Y-1s immediately upon establishment, although VD-2 did not get any PB4Y-1s until after World War 2. The Navy also obtained a number of Liberator transports. The Navy bought three RY-1s (based on the C-87A-CF) and five RY-2s (based on the C-87-CF).

The PB4Y-1 also served with Marine Corps photographic reconnaissance squadrons, which were designated "VMD". Three USMC squadrons operated the Liberator--VMD-154, VMD-254, and VMD-354

Two PB4Y-1s of VB-110 were modified as pilotless flying bombs to be launched against high-priority targets in occupied Europe. Known as *Project Anvil*, the initial goal was to take out a German V-2 installation in occupied France. A PB4Y-1 was fitted with remote control gear, a forward-looking television camera to be used in the final run in to the target, and 25,000 pounds of explosives. Since there was no time to develop remotely-controlled takeoff equipment, the aircraft was to be flown to an altitude of 2000 feet by a pilot, who would arm the explosives, hand the aircraft over to remote control, and then bail out.

The first operation took place on August 12, 1944. The two pilots flying the PB4Y-1 were Lt. Joseph P. Kennedy, Jr (JFK's older brother) and Lt. Wilford J. Willy. The PB4Y-1 was accompanied by a Lockeed PV-1 control aircraft and a USAAF B-17 to monitor the television transmissions. However, the PB4Y-1 exploded 20 minutes after takeoff, killing both pilots. A fusing system malfunction was apparently to blame for the accident.

The second try took place on September 3, 1944, this time against an airfield in Heligoland, the original French V-2 site having by this time been overrun by Allied troops. Lt. Ralph Spaulding piloted the takeoff of the modified PB4Y-1 and was able to parachute to safety after having armed the explosives. Control was handed over to the PV-1, and the aircraft was flown at low altitude across the North Sea. The crew in the B-17 had a clear view via television of the approach to the target. Although the TV camera was put of action by flak just before the PB4Y-1 struck, the observers in the other planes saw a massive explosion as the Liberator struck its target.

After the war, Navy Liberators continued to operate into the early 1950s. Their squadrons were redesignated "VP" once again. A number of Navy Liberators were modified for reconnaissance duties as PB4Y-1Ps and served until 1950 with VP-61 and VP-62. In 1951, they were redesignated P4Y-1P. Between 1947 and 1949, VP-61 based at MCAS Miramar, carried out an extensive photographic mapping survey of Alaska. In the early stages of the Indochina War, PB4Y-1Ps from VP-61 flew reconnaissance missions over Vietnam in support of French operations between 1951 and 1953.

The US Navy acquired a total of 977 PB4Y-1 Liberators. All of them were delivered to the Navy from batches originally ordered by the USAAF, and had been assigned USAAF serials before their transfer to the Navy.

The PB4Y-1 was a navalized version of the USAAF B-24. It had its origin in a deal cut in mid-1942 between the Navy and the USAAF. The Navy was anxious to acquire a long-range, land-based heavy maritime reconnaissance and patrol aircraft capable of carrying a substantial bombload, but the USAAF had always resisted what it perceived as an encroachment into its jealously-guarded land-based bomber program. However, the USAAF needed an aircraft plant to manufacture its next generation of heavy bombers, the B-29 Superfortress. It just so happened that the Navy owned a plant at Renton, Washington, which was at that time being operated by Boeing for the manufacture of the PBB-1 Sea Ranger twin-engined patrol flying boat. The Army proposed that the Navy cancel the Sea Ranger program and turn over the Renton factory to them for B-29 production. In exchange, the USAAF would get out of the antisubmarine warfare business and would drop its objections to the Navy's operation of land-based bombers. The Navy would get "navalized" B-24 Liberators, B-25 Mitchells, and B-34/B-37 Venturas for use in maritime reconnaissance and antisubmarine warfare. The Navy readily agreed to this arrangement.

The navalized Liberator was assigned the designation PB4Y-1. The initial PB4Y-1s were essentially B-24Ds delivered to the Navy with very little change and assigned Navy Bureau of Aeronautics serial numbers. They were drawn from a variety of B-24D block numbers.

Later Navy Liberators were based on the B-24G, J, L, and M versions, with their factory-installed Consolidated A-6A/B or Emerson A-15 nose turrets, although some of them had ERCO turrets installed at the factory. However, they retained the same naval designation of PB4Y-1 as the initial planes based on the B-24D. All PB4Y-1s had Martin A-3 upper turrets and Consolidated A-6A/B tail turrets.

In service, several B-24D-based PB4Y-1s were retrofitted with ERCO (Engineering and Research Company) ball turrets in their noses. This ball turret had originally been designed for the now-cancelled Boeing XPBB-1 Sea Ranger patrol bomber. The ERCO ball turret was essentially spherical whereas the earlier Consolidated or Emerson turrets were essentially cylindrical

Many Navy patrol squadrons were designated "VP" at the beginning of World War 2, but by mid-1942 their designation had changed to "VB" for heavier-than-air bombing. In October 1944, all Navy and later Privateer squadrons were redesignated "VPB" for Patrol Bombing. After the end of the war, when several of the Navy Liberator squadrons had been disestablished, the old squadron designation "VP" was revived, and took up with the World War 2 numbering system--for example, VPB-106 became VP-106. Photo-reconnaissance squadrons were designated by the code "VD". The Marine Corps Liberator units were known as "VMD", for heavier-than-air Marine photo reconnaissance.

The Navy Liberators first entered service with VB-101 at NAS Barber Point, Hawaii in September of 1942. In the European theatre, the USAAF Antisubmarine Command had been initially assigned the responsibility for antisubmarine warfare, and flew antisubmarine operations out of bases in the USA and in Britain. As part of the deal cut with the Navy, the USAAF agreed to get out of the antisubmarine patrol business. When the USAAF's antisubmarine units were disbanded in 1943, their ASV radar-equipped B-24Ds were traded to the Navy in exchange for new production B-24Ds that had already been earmarked for the Navy. Navy and Marine Corps squadrons soon began flying the Liberator on long-range antisubmarine patrols over both the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans. VB-110, based at Cornwall in England, took over antisubmarine duties from the USAAF's 479th ASG. VB-104 began operating PB4Y-1s out of Henderson Field, Guadalcanal in 1ate 1943. Modifications were made to permit installation of the AN/ARC-1 radar intercept receiver. By May of 1945, there were 24 Navy and Marine Corps squadrons flying the PB4Y-1.

VB-116 began ECM operations with PB4Y-1s out of Eniwetok Atoll in March of 1944. They flew sorties against Japanese radar installations on Truk, and made radar plots at 1000-, 1000- and 500-foot altitudes. These plots helped airstrikes pick approach directions which would minimize alert time for the enemy.

The Navy also operated Liberators with five World War II photographic squadrons: VD-1, VD-3, VD-4, and VD-5 got PB4Y-1s immediately upon establishment, although VD-2 did not get any PB4Y-1s until after World War 2.

The Navy also obtained a number of Liberator transports. The Navy bought three RY-1s (based on the C-87A-CF) and five RY-2s (based on the C-87-CF).

The PB4Y-1 also served with Marine Corps photographic reconnaissance squadrons, which were designated "VMD". Three USMC squadrons operated the Liberator--VMD-154, VMD-254, and VMD-354

Five PB4Y-1s were operated by the US Coast Guard from 1944-1946

Two PB4Y-1s of VB-110 were modified as pilotless flying bombs to be launched against high-priority targets in occupied Europe. Known as *Project Anvil*, the initial goal was to take out a German V-2 installation in occupied France. A PB4Y-1 was fitted with remote control gear, a forward-looking television camera to be used in the final run in to the target, and 25,000 pounds of explosives. Since there was no time to develop remotely-controlled takeoff equipment, the aircraft was to be flown to an altitude of 2000 feet by a pilot, who would arm the explosives, hand the aircraft over to remote control, and then bail out.

The first operation took place on August 12, 1944. The two pilots flying the PB4Y-1 were Lt. Joseph P. Kennedy, Jr (JFK's older brother) and Lt. Wilford J. Willy. The PB4Y-1 was accompanied by a Lockeed PV-1 control aircraft and a USAAF B-17 to monitor the television transmissions. However, the PB4Y-1 exploded 20 minutes after takeoff, killing both pilots. A fusing system malfunction was apparently to blame for the accident.

The second try took place on September 3, 1944, this time against an airfield in Heligoland, the original French V-2 site having by this time been overrun by Allied troops. Lt. Ralph Spaulding piloted the takeoff of the modified PB4Y-1 and was able to parachute to safety after having armed the explosives. Control was handed over to the PV-1, and the aircraft was flown at low altitude across the North Sea. The crew in the B-17 had a clear view via television of the approach to the target. Although the TV camera was put of action by flak just before the PB4Y-1 struck, the observers in the other planes saw a massive explosion as the Liberator struck its target.

After the war, Navy Liberators continued to operate into the early 1950s. Their squadrons were redesignated "VP" once again. A number of Navy Liberators were modified for reconnaissance duties as PB4Y-1Ps and served until 1950 with VP-61 and VP-62. In 1951, they were redesignated P4Y-1P. Between 1947 and 1949, VP-61 based at MCAS Miramar, carried out an extensive photographic mapping survey of Alaska. In the early stages of the Indochina War, PB4Y-1Ps from VP-61 flew reconnaissance missions over Vietnam in support of French operations between 1951 and 1953.

The US Navy acquired a total of 977 PB4Y-1 Liberators. All of them were delivered to the Navy from batches originally ordered by the USAAF, and had been assigned USAAF serials before their transfer to the Navy.