Consolidated PB4Y2 Privateer

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Specifications Wingspan: 37 3/8" Fuselage Length: 24 13/16" Recommended Engines 2 - Cox/Estes .049 Black Widows Recommended Propellers 2 - 5-3 Three-bladed

PB4Y2 History

When World War II started in Europe and moved on to the bombing of Pearl Harbor in 1941, the United States Navy did not have a long-range patrol bomber. To fill this gap, the Navy received Army Air Corps B-17s designated PB1s and B-24s designated PB4Y1s. The Liberator’s greater range quickly found favor with Navy. The Liberators did a fine job for the Navy and gave them a better indication for exactly what would suit their needs. The Army’s Liberator was a high altitude bomber and the Navy required a low altitude patrol aircraft.

The new aircraft was later given the designation PB4Y2 Privateer. Starting with a basic Liberator fuselage and wing, the Navy wanted to add a flight engineer to aid the pilot on long over water patrols. The addition of the engineer’s station necessitated a seven-foot increase in the length of the fuselage just aft of the cockpit. The twin rudders of the Liberator were discarded in favor of a single taller rudder, which gave better stability at low altitudes. It also gave the tail gunner a better field of vision and range of fire. The turbochargers needed for high altitudes were discarded and oil coolers were relocated to the top and bottom of the engines, thus altering the classic cowling of the Liberator. The belly turret was discarded in favor of the two side blisters which, when aimed fully downward, converged at a point thirty feet below the aircraft. A second turret was added to the top, giving the Privateer a formidable defensive perimeter. The Privateer went into service in early 1944.

The combat record of the Privateer is impeccable. The Privateer fought not only in World War II, but also in the Korean Conflict of 1950-53 where it’s great range allowed it to be used during night patrols. At the onset of the Cold War, it was vital in keeping track of Soviet submarines. The Privateer was the last of the Liberator line remaining in the inventory of the U.S. Navy until 1964. The use of the Privateer to this day by the U.S. Forestry Service as a water bomber is a testimony to its sturdiness.