Consolidated XB-41 Liberator

The Consolidated XB-41 Liberator was a single Consolidated B-24D Liberator bomber, serial 41-11822, modified for the long-range escort role on United States Eighth Air Force bombing missions over Europe during World War II. At the time no fighters could escort bombers all the way to distant targets, so the aircraft was fitted as a gunship with 14 .50 caliber machine guns, a second dorsal turret and a remotely operated Bendix chin turret in addition to the standard tail and ventral turrets. It carried 12,420 rounds of ammunition and four 1,250 hp Pratt & Whitney radial engines. Delivered to Eglin Field in January 1943, it was judged unsuitable for operations in March 1943, the gunship concept proved flawed and the program was abandoned. It was redesignated TB-24D and used as an instructional airframe until scrapped in 1945.