Airfix Consolidated B-24H Liberator

This Airfix 1:72 scale model kit of the Consolidated B-24H Liberator brings the most manufactured American aircraft of the Second World War to your collection.

Comprising 278 pieces, it faithfully replicates the iconic features of this renowned heavy bomber, including its shoulder-mounted wings, deep fuselage, and twin-boom tail.

With two genuine paint options and a Skill Level 3 difficulty, modellers can recreate the variant that introduced the crucial Emerson A-15 nose turret, which improved the aircraft's defence against frontal assaults.

History

The second of America's significant four-engined heavy bombers during World War Two, the Consolidated B-24 Liberator was developed after the Army Air Corps requested the company to produce B-17 Flying Fortresses. Dissatisfied with this task, Consolidated suggested they could design and manufacture their own bomber within the same timeframe needed to set up production lines, promising it would surpass the Flying Fortress.

When their XB-24 prototype flew on 29th December 1939, it presented a distinct appearance compared to the B-17 Flying Fortress. With its shoulder-mounted slender wings, deep yet narrow fuselage, and twin-boom tail, it resembled a maritime aircraft. After its introduction to the USAAF in 1941, the B-24 Liberator was mass-produced, serving in every theatre of the Second World War and playing a crucial role in the Allied War effort.

The 'H' model's introduction tackled the aircraft's susceptibility to frontal attacks, a weakness enemy fighter pilots had exploited since the B-24's debut. This version was the first to include an electrically operated Emerson A-15 nose turret and featured approximately 50 other enhancements to boost its combat effectiveness.

This was also the first variant to fully utilise America's mass production capabilities, with claims that Ford could produce Liberators faster than the USAAF could deploy them. The Consolidated B-24 Liberator became the most extensively produced four-engined bomber in warfare history and the most manufactured American aircraft of World War Two. In essence, the B-24 was flown by more personnel, delivered more bombs over longer distances, and destroyed more targets than any other bomber in aviation history.

Key Features

• 278 plastic components capturing the unique design of the B-24H Liberator
• 1:72 scale model with a wingspan of 465mm
• Two genuine paint schemes representing operational aircraft
• Skill Level 3 - suitable for modellers aged 8 years and above
• Includes the distinctive Emerson A-15 nose turret of the 'H' variant
• Detailed depiction of the B-24's unique shoulder-mounted wing setup