380th Bomb Group Association World War II Veterans Group   WE WENT TO WAR PARTS V and VI:  THE PLANES WE FLEW

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380th AIRCRAFT TYPES

B-24 - D MODELS

TYPE 1 - B-24D WITH ALL-GLAZED NOSE

Type 1 as defined for this book includes all B-24s with the fully-glazed nose.  In combat this was used only on D models of the B-24 and a few LB-30s present during the very early days of WWII.  Domestically the glazed nose was used on B-24A, B, C, D, E and early G models.  Modified Ds and all later models carried a nose turret.  None of the D models used in the European and Caribbean Theatres carried a nose turret except for some Anti-Submarine units.

B-24Ds were manufactured by the Consolidated-Vultee Aircraft Corporation (Convair) (earlier Consolidated Aircraft Corporation (CAC)) in their San Diego, California, and Fort Worth, Texas, plants.  There were only three Fort Worth (B-24D-CF) aircraft in the 380^th.  All the others were San Diego (B-24D-CO).  Two of the CF aircraft were RCM (ferret) specialists on temporary duty with the 380^th.

All of the initial deployment aircraft came overseas with glazed noses, i.e., Type 1.  Seven were later modified by the Townsville Air Depot by adding turrets (Consolidated A6As) to become Type 2 while still in service with the 380^th.  Several others were also so modified after their period of service with the 380^th.  The others remained as Type 1 throughout their service until lost or salvaged.

All 380^th aircraft were modified in theatre to remove the ball turret because of the excess weight involved.  It was replaced by a pair of machine guns mounted on a Scarff ring in the same location.

Source:   B-24 Liberator in Action, Squadron/Signal Publications, Inc., Aircraft Number 80, 1987, pp. 16, 23 (modified).