B-24L

TYPE 10 -  CO + FO Models

During the Spring of 1945, the 380^th started to receive "L" and "M" models of the B-24.  Ones that came from the Ford Motor Company's Willow Run plant were very easy to identify by their elongated navigator side windows in the nose, triangular side windows in the bombardier's compartment and enclosed waist windows.  These two Ford production models were externally very similar and difficult to distinguish from each other. 

This difficulty would not be a problem with San Diego produced "M" models for they looked much different than the Ford products.  They retained the smaller, bulged, navigator side windows introduced on the B-24J-185-CO, but had a squared bombardier's side window, like the late Js.  They also had enclosed waist windows.  Both the -FO and -CO produced "L" and "M" models occasionally used a new, lighter, hand-operated tail turret.  (Source:  Horton, Best in the Southwest, p. 468.)