Consolidated B-24 Liberator
Last updated: 2026-04-21
The Consolidated B-24 Liberator was the most-produced American military aircraft of WWII with over 18,000 built, used for strategic bombing and long-range maritime patrol from UK and Italian bases. It is a workhorse of European EASA general-aviation training fleets, used at both DTO and ATO operators for hour-building and rating progression. undefined
What is the Consolidated B-24 Liberator used for in flight training?
B-24 training in WWII covered the aircraft's distinctive Davis wing, notorious for generating less lift at high angles of attack than the more forgiving B-17 wing. This characteristic shaped the training syllabus to emphasise coordinated turns and energy management. The B-24 also trained dedicated co-pilots and flight engineers in fuel management procedures essential for 10-plus hour maritime patrol missions. No airworthy B-24s currently fly in Europe; the Liberator's history is preserved at the American Air Museum in Duxford, UK.