Consolidate B-24 Liberator History

B-24J Liberator Serial Number 44-44052

The B-24 before you was built in August of 1944 in Fort Worth, Texas, by Consolidated Aircraft. In Novemeber of 1944 it was delivered to the RAF Coastal Command in the south Pacific. It was then obtained by the Indian Air Force and saw service until the late 1960s. The airframe was used for parts and abandoned. It was then acquired by the Collings Foundation in 1984 and restored as the "All American" in 1989. After 9 successful years of touring, the decision was made to honour the Pacific veterans. It was repainted as "The Dragon and His Tail" which served with the 5th Airforce, 43rd Bomb Group, and 64th Bomb Squadron. The Dragon survived 85 combat missions and was flown to Kingman, Arizona. There, after many desperate efforts to save her, the last B-24 was scrapped.

B-24 Liberator Facts

• 18,481 Liberators were built, the most produced American aircraft in history.
• The Liberator carried more bombs further and faster than the B-17
• The Liberator flew more missions and dropped more bombs than any other bomber in World War II.
• This is the only flying Liberator in the world today.

Restoration Facts

Cost of Restoration

$1.3 million

Level of Restoration

• 97,000 man hours, primarily volunteer
• 1985 - 1989, a four year effort
• 400,000 rivets replaced
• 5,000 feet of hydraulic line replaced
• 1 mile of control cable replaced

Operating Costs

$2,000 per flight hour; updated to $5,200 in 2001