Consolidated PB4Y-2
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| PB4Y/P4Y Privateer | |
|---|---|
 A United States Navy PB4Y-2 in flight. |
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| Type | Maritime patrol bomber |
| Manufacturer | Consolidated Aircraft |
| Introduced | 1943 |
| Retired | 1954, U.S. Navy 1958, U.S. Coast Guard |
| Primary users | United States Navy United States Coast Guard |
| Number built | 739 |
| Developed from | B-24 Liberator |
The Consolidated PB4Y-2 Privateer was a United States Navy patrol bomber derived from the Consolidated B-24 Liberator. The Navy had been using unmodified B-24s under the name PB4Y-1 Liberator, and the type was considered very successful. However, a fully navalized design was desired, and Consolidated developed a dedicated, long-range patrol bomber in 1943—the PB4Y-2 Privateer.[1] In 1951 the family was redesignated P4Y-2 Privateer.
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[edit] Development
The Privateer is outwardly quite similar to the Liberator. The turbosuperchargers were omitted since maritime patrol missions are not flown at high altitude. It is longer to accommodate a flight engineer's station, and has a tall single vertical tail rather than the B-24's twin tail configuration. Earlier, Ford (which produced B-24s for the U.S. Army Air Corps) had built an experimental variant—the B-24K—using the single tail of a B-23 Dragon.[2] Handling was improved, and the Air Corps’ proposed B-24N production model was to be built by Ford; the orders, however, were canceled May 31, 1945 and the B-24N never entered production. The Navy's desire for substantial redesigns, however, brought the new tail assembly within reason.
During development, the defensive armament was also increased by adding a second Martin dorsal turret and a pair of ERCO waist blisters. The Navy eventually took delivery of 739 Privateers, many of which flew in the Korean War. All Navy PB4Y-2s were retired by 1954, though unarmed PB4Y-2G Privateers served until 1958 in Coast Guard service before being auctioned off for salvage.
Although in 1951 the family was redesignated P4Y-2 Privateer, the P4Y-1 was an earlier twin engine flying boat, the Consolidated Model 31 (also called the XP4Y).
PB4Y-2 were still being used as drones in the 1950s/early 1960s, designated PB4Y-2K initially and then P4Y-2 based names after 1951. They were then redesignated QP-4B under the 1962 United States Tri-Service aircraft designation system, part of the new patrol series, between the P-2 Neptune and the P-3 Orion.
[edit] Privateers as airtankers
A limited number of refitted PB4Ys continued in civilian service as airtankers, dropping fire retardant on forest fires throughout the Western United States. On July 18, 2002, one such refitted PB4Y, BuNo 66260 (seen in picture to right) operated by Hawkins and Powers Aviation of Wyoming, broke up in flight while fighting a wildfire near Rocky Mountain National Park. Both crew members were killed in the accident, and the Federal Aviation Administration temporarily grounded all large air tankers in the region.[3] Following the accident, all remaining Privateers were retired. (See 2002 airtanker crashes.)
[edit] Operators
- See also: List of PB4Y Privateer operators
[edit] Survivors
- See also: Consolidated B-24 Survivors
Several airframes exist in flyable condition as well as in museum collections worldwide.
[edit] Specifications (PB4Y-2)
Data from Jane's Fighting Aircraft of World War II[4]
General characteristics
- Crew: 11: two pilots, navigator, bombardier, five gunners, two radio operators
- Length: 74 ft 7 in (22.73 m)
- Wingspan: 110 ft 0 in (33.53 m)
- Height: 30 ft 1 in (9.17 m)
- Wing area: 1,048 ft² (97.4 m²)
- Empty weight: 27,485 lb (12,467 kg)
- Max takeoff weight: 65,000 lb (29,500 kg)
- Powerplant: 4× Pratt & Whitney R-1830-94 radial engines, 1,350 hp (1,010 kW) each
Performance
- Maximum speed: 206 knots (237 mph, 382 km/h)
- Cruise speed: 121 knots (175 mph, 224 km/h)
- Range: 2,450 nm (2,820 mi, 4,540 km)
- Service ceiling 21,000 ft (6,400 m)
- Wing loading: 62 lb/ft² (300 kg/m²)
Armament
- Guns: 12× .50 in (12.7 mm) M2 Browning machine guns in six turrets
- Bombs: Up to 12,800 lb (5,800 kg) of bombs, mines, or torpedoes
[edit] See also
Related development
Comparable aircraft
Related lists
[edit] References
- ^ Convair PB4Y-2 Privateer. American Military Aircraft. Retrieved on 2006-03-24.
- ^ Consolidated B-24N Liberator. American Military Aircraft. Retrieved on 2006-03-24.
- ^ "Two Die in Crash Fighting Colorado Wildfire". Firehouse.com. Retrieved on 2006-04-23.
- ^ Bridgeman, Leonard. “The Consolidated Vultee Privateer.” Jane’s Fighting Aircraft of World War II. London: Studio, 1946. p. 217–218. ISBN 1 85170 493 0.
[edit] External links
- Aeroweb specs
- Warbird Alley
- Globalsecurity.org
- Aeroweb's PB4Y Location List
- Aeroweb's PB4Y at Lone Star Flight Museum Lone Star Flight Museum
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