The British Royal Air Force operated Consolidated B-24 Liberators in numerous roles from early 1941. Coastal Command was a major operator, using the aircraft for anti-submarine patrols over the Atlantic. The RAF used Liberators as bombers in the Middle East and Far East, while Transport Command operated the type for its range and payload capacity. OneLB-30 Liberator AL504 “Commando” was modified as the personal transport of Prime Minister Winston Churchill.
Liberator Mark I, AM910, on the ground following conversion as an anti-submarine aircraftLiberator GR Mark IIIA, LV345 ‘E’, parked in a dispersal at Aldergrove, County Antrim, with of No. 86 Squadron RAFLiberator GR Mark III, FK222, on the ground at Prestwick Liberator GR Mark V, BZ791, on the ground at Prestwick, RAF Coastal Command Liberator with a search radarLiberator GR Mark VIII KG984 served with Nos 224 59 and 220 SqnLiberator GR Mark IIIs FK228 M and FL933 O of No. 120 Squadron RAFLiberator GR Mark V, BZ877 2-Q of No. 86 Squadron RAF based at BallykellyLiberator flying out on a patrol over the AtlanticLiberator flying out on a patrol over the AtlanticLiberator GR Mark VI KG869 ZZ-K of No 220 Squadron RAF based at LagensLiberator GR Mark VI EV882 4-L of No 206 Squadron RAF based at St EvalLong range Liberator flying out on a patrol over the AtlanticConsolidated Liberator G.R.VI with ASV aerials under the wings and on the fuselage; a chin radome; and eight R.P. on stub wing fairingsA Liberator returns after 16 hours out on patrolLiberator E for EdwardThe crew of the Liberator H for ‘Harry’ prepare for patrol dutyA Liberator and its crew
Transport Command
Consolidated Liberator Mk I AL578 Marco Polo of No 45 Atlantic Transport GroupLiberator at dispersal on an RAF Transport Command airfieldLiberator C Mark VII, EW615at Prestwick, Ayrshire, after its delivery flightLiberator C Mark IX JT978Liberator C Mark I AL578 Marco Polo of No. 45 (Atlantic Transport) GroupLiberator at dispersal on an R.A.F. Transport Command airfieldLiberator Privateer unloading its passengers at GanderLB.30A Liberator, G-AGCD AM259 of BOACLB-30 Liberator, AL504 CommandoLB-30 Liberator, AL504 CommandoLiberator interior – special conversionThe main cabin LB-30 Liberator AL504 Commando aircraft of the Prime MinisterThe extra cabin fitted in LB-30 Liberator, AL504 ‘Commando’, the personal transport aircraft of the Prime MinisterPassengers in a Liberator during a flight from Dorval, Montreal, to Goose
Detail Photos
Flying Officer Turner who had a U-boat confirmed as sunk just before this photograph was takenWing tip adjustment to a Coastal Command Liberator being made by the ground crew.Daily inspection of a LiberatorLiberator ground crewsInspecting the tail unit of a Liberator after its return from an Atlantic patrolRear gunner inspecting the exterior of his turret before flightA sergeant fitter [right] checking up on the hinges of a giant rudder of a Liberator after a daily inspection has been carried out by a ground crewA .50 machine gun in the side of a LiberatorBombing up A Coastal Command Liberator with depth charges.All alone in the rear of the machine the rear gunner of a Liberator on patrolDEFEATING GERMANY’S KEY WEAPON : LIBERATOR v. U-BOAT (CH 9594) Original wartime caption: For story see CH.9576 (Picture issued 1943) The second wireless operator of a Liberator on patrol prepares a marker, Wireless operator prepares a marker which will be on suspicion of a U-boat. When this hits the sea it explodes and leaves a light patch on the water, marking the position of a U-boatFlying Officer Fraser DFC the Australian captain of a Liberator
Combat Damage
Liberator III FL910 of No 224 Squadron damage after attacking U-216Close-up view of the damaged starboard rudder and elevator