PB4Y Privateer
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| PB4Y Privateer | |
|---|---|
 | |
| US Navy PB4Y-2 | |
| Type | Maritime patrol aircraft |
| Manufacturer | Consolidated Aircraft |
| Introduced | 1943 |
| Retired | 1954, USN 1958, USCG |
| Primary users | United States Navy United States Coast Guard |
| Number built | 739 |
The PB4Y-2 Privateer was a U.S. 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.<ref name=baugher1>Convair PB4Y-2 Privateer. American Military Aircraft. Retrieved on 2006-03-24.</ref>
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[edit] Development
The Privateer is outwardly quite similar to the Liberator. It is slightly longer, 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.<ref name=baugher>Consolidated B-24N Liberator. American Military Aircraft. Retrieved on 2006-03-24.</ref> Handling was improved, and the Air Corps’ proposed B-24N production model was to be built by Ford; the orders, however, were cancelled 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 several Privateers served until 1958 in Coast Guard service before being auctioned off for salvage.
[edit] Privateers as slurry bombers
A limited number of refitted PB4Ys continued in civilian service as slurry bombers, dropping fire retardant on forest fires throughout the Western United States. On July 18, 2002, one such refitted PB4Y, BuNo 66260 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 FAA temporarily grounded all slurry bombers in the region.<ref name=firehouse>"Two Die in Crash Fighting Colorado Wildfire". Firehouse.com. Retrieved on 2006-04-23.</ref> Following the accident, all remaining Privateers were retired.
[edit] Operators
- China
- France
- Hawkins & Powers Aviation was a civilian operator of this aircraft (use for fire fighting)
- Honduras
- Taiwan
- United States Navy
- United States Coast Guard
[edit] Specifications (PB4Y-2)
Data from Jane’s Fighting Aircraft of World War II<ref>Bridgman, Leonard, ed. “The Consolidated Vultee Privateer.” Jane’s Fighting Aircraft of World War II. London: Studio, 1946. 217-218. ISBN 1-85170-493-0.</ref>
General characteristics<h3>
- 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 (1,007 kW) each
<h3>Performance<h3>
- Maximum speed: 206 kt (237 mph, 382 km/h)
- Cruise speed: 121 kt (75 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)
<h3>Armament<h3>
- 12× .50 cal machine guns in six turrets
- Up to 12,800 lb (5,800 kg) of bombs, mines, or torpedoes
[edit] References
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