Airfix – A09011 – Consolidated B-24D Liberator

Description:

Unassembled plastic model kit in 1/72 scale of a U.S. WWII Consolidated B-24 Liberator heavy bomber.

The Consolidated B-24D Liberator was one of the earliest and most important variants of the iconic American heavy bomber developed during World War II. Introduced in 1942, the B-24D featured several improvements over earlier production models, including extended range, increased defensive armament, and additional fuel capacity. It retained the distinctive high-aspect-ratio Davis wing, which gave the B-24 its impressive range and fuel efficiency, as well as its slab-sided fuselage and twin tail design. Powered by four Pratt & Whitney R-1830 Twin Wasp radial engines, the B-24D could carry a bomb load of up to 8,000 pounds and had a range exceeding 2,800 miles, making it well-suited for long-range strategic bombing and maritime patrols.

The B-24D played a vital role in early Allied bombing campaigns, including missions over Europe, the Mediterranean, and the Pacific. Notably, it was used in the daring low-level raid on the Ploesti oil refineries in Romania during Operation Tidal Wave in 1943, one of the most famous and costly missions flown by B-24 crews. The D model lacked the powered nose turret of later versions, relying instead on hand-held .50 caliber machine guns in the nose and windows for frontal defense—something that would be addressed in future upgrades. Despite its somewhat ungainly appearance and reputation for being difficult to fly compared to the B-17, the B-24D was an essential workhorse of the U.S. Army Air Forces and left a significant legacy in the history of strategic bombing.

Update with new parts of kit tooled in 2024 Airfix – A09010 – Consolidated B-24H Liberator, and with permission of the older Hasegawa kit, currently the best Consolidated B-24 Liberator kit in 1/72 scale. Finely engraved panel lines and well-molded components that align closely with reference materials. The inclusion of a fully detailed interior, including the cockpit, bomb bay, and defensive positions, provides modelers with an opportunity to showcase the complexity of this iconic World War II bomber. Additionally, the kit offers options for open or closed bomb bay doors and various turret configurations, enhancing its versatility. The kit requires a substantial amount of nose weight to prevent tail-sitting, which can be challenging to accommodate within the fuselage. Some modelers have noted tight tolerances in the fuselage assembly, necessitating careful dry-fitting and alignment to ensure a smooth build process.

Kit consists of 258 parts and include two markings in decal sheet. Despite the recent and good engineering of the kit is a high number of parts not recommendable for beginners.