PB4Y Privateer
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The PB4Y-2 Privateer was a U.S. Navy patrol bomber derived from the Consolidated B-24 Liberator. The Navy had been using unmodified B-24s under the name PB4Y-1 Liberator, and the type was considered very successful. However, a fully navalized design was desired, and Consolidated developed a dedicated, long-range patrol bomber in 1943 — the PB4Y-2 Privateer.
Development
The Privateer is outwardly quite similar to the Liberator. It is slightly longer, and has a tall single vertical tail rather than the B-24's twin tail configuration. Earlier, Ford (which produced B-24s for the U.S. Army Air Corps) had built an experimental variant – the B-24K – using the single tail of a B-23 Dragon. Handling was improved, and the Air Corps’ proposed B-24N production model was to be built by Ford; the orders, however, were cancelled May 31, 1945 and the B-24N never entered production. The Navy's desire for substantial redesigns, however, brought the new tail assembly within reason.
During development, the defensive armament was also increased by adding a second Martin dorsal turret and a pair of ERCO waist blisters. The Navy eventually took delivery of 739 Privateers, many of which flew in the Korean War. All Navy PB4Y-2s were retired by 1954, though several Privateers served until 1958 in Coast Guard service before being auctioned off for salvage.
Privateers as slurry bombers
A limited number of refitted PB4Ys continued in civilian service as slurry bombers, dropping fire retardant on forest fires throughout the Western United States. On July 18, 2002, one such refitted PB4Y, BuNo 66260 operated by Hawkins and Powers Aviation of Wyoming, broke up in flight while fighting a wildfire near Rocky Mountain National Park. Both crew members were killed in the accident, and the FAA temporarily grounded all slurry bombers in the region. Following the accident, all remaining Privateers were retired.Units using the PB4Y
- China, France, United States (Navy, Coast Guard).
Specifications (PB4Y-2)
References
External links
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