Often compared with the better-known B-17 Flying Fortress, the B-24 was a more modern design with higher top speed, greater range, and a heavier bomb load; however, it was also more difficult to fly, with heavy control forces and poor formation-flying characteristics. Popular opinion among aircrews and general staffs tended to favor the B-17’s rugged qualities above all other considerations in the European Theater. The placement of the B-24’s fuel tanks throughout the upper fuselage and its lightweight construction, designed to increase range and optimize assembly line production, made the aircraft vulnerable to battle damage.
The B-24 was notorious among American aircrews for its tendency to catch fire. Moreover, its high fuselage-mounted Davis wing also meant it was dangerous to ditch or belly land since the fuselage tended to break apart. Nevertheless, the B-24 provided excellent service in a variety of roles thanks to its large payload and long-range. The B-24’s most famous mission was the low-level strike against the Ploesti oil fields, in Romania on August 1, 1943, which turned into a disaster due to attack waves getting out of sequence.
Model Dimension | Length: 675.9mm Wingspan: 1049.5mm |
Total Plastic Parts | 560+ |
Total Sprues | 24 sprues , tires and undercarriage |
Chromeplate Parts | n/a |
Resin Parts | n/a |
Metal Parts | n/a |
Photo-Etched Parts | 1 piece |