Consolidated B-24L Liberator (KN751)  [@ RAF Cosford]

Delivered in greater quantities than another bomber in aviation history the RAF's first six Liberators from the USA, originally intended for France but diverted, were the unarmed LB-30. They were soon followed by 20 Mk Is [B-24A]. Some of these were used for maritime reconnaissance, equipped with ASV and a ventral gun tray. These in turn followed, from August 1941, by 139 Liberator Mk IIs and 260 Mk III aircraft, also for the maritime reconnaissance role, and 112 Liberator Mk V [B-24G] bombers and GR Mk V maritime reconnaissance aircraft.

KN751 is an ex-Indian Air Force Consolidated B-24L Liberator. Originally built by Ford at Michigan and was initially given the USAAF serial number 44-50206. Following a period in storage it was modified and allocated to the RAF as KN751 in India where it served with 99 Squadron. KN751 arrived in time to partake in 99 Squadrons wartime final operational sorties as well as supply dropping to POW Camps and also the repatriation of POWs after hostilities. KN751 served only with 99 Squadron and was flown by the 99 Squadron Commanding Officer, Wing Commander Webster. It was the last 99 Squadron Liberator to leave Cocos after the Squadron was disbanded on 15th November 1945. Following the end of its RAF operational career late in 1946, it then served with the Indian Air Force as HE807 before being put into storage in Bangalore in the late 1960's. Donated to the RAF Museum, it was flown to the UK in 1974 before being transported to Cosford by road in 1976. It carries a plaque on both sides of its nose reading "Presented by the Indian Air Force to the Royal Air Force Museum" above the bomb aimer's position.

Consolidated B-24M Liberator  [@ RAF Duxford]

In addition to receiving latter variants i.e. B-24J, B-24L and B-24M, the RAF also received 24 Liberators C Mk VII based on the C-87 transport derivative of the B-24D.

Duxford's B-24 was built by the Ford Motor Company at their Willow Run plant, Michigan in early 1945 and is believed to have been the last Liberator in service with the USAF. It spent most of its operational career as an ice research aircraft, finally retiring to Lackland Air Force Base, Texas in 1956 where it remained on display until its move to Duxford in 1999. The aircraft is now painted to represent Dugan, a Liberator based at Wendling, Norfolk, with the 392nd Bomb Group.