My wife's grandfather was a welder at Ford's Willow Run plant. He had a photo of the B-24's in the assembly hangar that was incredible. They were rolling out a completed bomber every hour.
Tin Man Last month I saw a show (History or Discovery or something) that the govt was complaining to Ford that they weren't building B-24s fast enough. Ford said well you're adding something or changing the design every other day and it takes time to make changes to the line. They came up with Ford building every one exactly the same and then flying them somewhere else for the modifications to be made. That was how they got the production rate so high.
My Dad flew the B-24 in the Pacific during WW2...Went through the Aviation Cadet program from February 1942-February 1943. He went to preflight at Maxwell AAF ( Southeast AAF training center ), primary in Alabama, Basic at Walnut Ridge AAF, Advanced at Blytheville AAF. Later he went through 4-engine training at Davis-Monthan AAF. After completing training he was an instructor for about a year until he rotated overseas...Initially based in Saipan, he later transferred to Okinawa right before the end of the war, and flew in an Air-Sea Rescue squadron...THANKS for the Lib video!
@The Fighter Pilot Podcast Thank you very much for this podcast on the B-24 Liberator. I grew up as a huge fan of both the The B-17 Flying Fortress and the Liberator but because of the B-17's beautiful design and its ability to take a pounding and still bring its crew home safely, I was drawn more so toward the B-17 Flying Fortress. However, that changed when I learned that at 9:30 AM on August 25, 1944, three bombardment groups - the 458th BG (H), the 466th BG (H) and the 467th BG (H), each part of the 96th Combat Bombardment Wing (H) of the 8th Air Force out of England, bombed a rifle factory, an aircraft component factory and a sheet metal factory in Lübeck, Germany. My maternal grandfather, an Italian POW who was captured while fighting with the Pinerolo Division of the Royal Italian Army against the Germans in the Pindus Mountains in central Greece in mid-October 1943, following Italy's armistice with the Allies in September 1943, was working as a porter in a foundry when those Liberators flew overhead. Out of 81 of them 5 were shot down. 110 civilians and 39 slave laborers were killed, unfortunately, but my grandfather was very lucky to survive that raid and the war, without a scratch. I like to think that they were a good omen, as if someone were trying to tell him, "Don't worry, buddy. Somebody's coming to get you out ASAP." He was eventually liberated by the British 11th Armoured Division at 1 PM on May 2, 1945, just three hours ahead of advancing Soviet troops.
My Great-Uncil, (grandfathers Brother,) was a TOP Gunner/Engineer on a B-24 until he was shot down in 1944. He loved to talk about his time in the air. But he always got distant when he even mentioned his ground time in France and Germany. I don't think he was in Germany long. I'd have loved to have learned more before he passed. Anyways, his story's have given me GREAT Appreciation for the Lady Liberator.
Another great Episode. You knocked it out of the park again. Love these WW2 aircraft episodes. Great interview by Boat ...& a great guest sharing all his insight. Hope the BVR Team all had a great Christmas. All the best for the New Year.
You guys are the best at this podcast I love it and look forward to watching and rewatching every day at work. I was looking forward to learning more about the b24 and you answered all my questions. Keep up the good work!
Great episode -- thanks. The B-24 doesn't get the credit it deserves. I was a little surprised the guest didn't mention the Ploesti raid as a notable B-24 event.
My father's uncle flew in B-24s with the RAAF in the Pacific dropping commandos and secret agents onto the islands, which is a pretty obscure use. Also I read an account once of a B-24 pilot who got separated from his squadron on a bombing mission to Germany. He fell in with a bunch of B-17s who thought he was a German plane and kept their guns trained on him until he dropped his bombs with them
The book The Arsenal of Democracy by A.J Baime is good look at the WW2 production war effort including the building of the Willow Run B-24 Factory by Ford. Willow Run by Warren Benjamin Kidder is another excellent Willow Run/B-24 resource if you can find it.
My great uncle, Frank Fink, was the Chief engineer on the B-24 and worked for Consolidated Aircraft. He also was a project Engineer on the the PBY Catalina, the pogo and the the XF2Y-1 Sea Dart.
Thank you for making this interesting and informative podcast available to us here on TH-cam. Happy Christmas to all of you at The Fighter Pilot Podcast.
My father flew B-24's out of England during WWII. The only story I was told about his time there was from one of his friends. He said my father was tasked to fly as co-pilot on a mission with another crew to fill a slot for a sick crew member. It was the first combat mission of a plane named Sittin Bull. They got back from the mission with critically low fuel. On approach they saw that a plane ahead of them had stopped on the runway due to some issue. They didn't have the fuel to go around for another try at landing and the pilot was in a panic on what to do when my father took control of the airplane and landed it and steered it off the runway to avoid the other plane. As the departed the runway, one landing gear collapsed and the wing dug into the ground. Everyone survived. The plane only flew one mission. If you google "Sittin Bull" you can see a picture of the plane with a big "H" on the tail sitting in the dirt. My dad went on to fly his 25 missions and returned to the States. I am told his experiences over there resulted in changes that everyone recognized. He passed away in 1999, and never spoke of his time over there.
“ flying the step “ She must gain altitude then trimmed to fly with a peculiar slightly nose down attitude or she’ll mush through the air and waste fuel and overheat engines. Open cowl flaps will buffet rudders and cause loss of some authority of tail. Higher airspeed cools better than open cowl flaps. Never drag your wing flaps when not needed or again you’ll waste fuel. On long missions you’ll need every drop. 14 + hours missions over South Pacific common. Navigator absolutely essential. Fuel systems, hydraulic systems, electrical systems, braking systems, instrumentation and canopy and escape hatch systems. Cable and pulley system routing and control surfaces and trim control. Condition of each engine and turbo charger. Overall condition of entire airframe and structure of landing gear and tires. There is no unimportant part on that magnificent aircraft and make sure she is ship shape before each and every take off. Practice with altitude engine out conditions with various configurations. Flap degree flight characteristics. Know your ship from stem to stern. Baby her in deference to her advanced age. In event of dubious brake capacity on short landing strip if so equipped deploy tail skid and instruct crew after touching down to move to rear of waist section to apply weight over skid. Will slow craft sufficiently. Never taxi her with excessive braking or lock nose wheel to stops. No excuse to abuse a B- 24 in that way. Plenty control available with outboard engines. Follow check list for shut down and report any anomalies to crew chief. Best of luck and fly safely. The tanker variant “ flying the hump” to fuel B-29 operations from China. Never designed for that center of gravity configuration and was extremely hazardous duty over some of the most challenging terrain and weather systems in the world.
Just like the P-51 B/C/Ds "steal" a little bit of the p-47´s glory - the B-17 does from the B-24s.. Nice some of it gets set straight. A little jokingly of course, but there is some truth in it. ;) Another great episode. I like the look of the mighty Lib and especially the variant with the "normal" tail - PB4Y?
Can we get a podcast on folland gnat a British very light single seat, single engine fight it was the first fighter of the British red arrows and it was in service in Indian Airforce and it was named as the saber Slayer in IAF
Jyrki Laukkanen would be excellent person to talk about Folland Gnat. He is retired Finnish Air Force officer and test pilot and he wrote a book on Folland Gnat, published 2018.
@@FighterPilotPodcast I have an idea from whom to ask. In november 2019 I was at his lecture on Folland Gnat (interesting lecture on interesting plane) so... I will contact the organizers. I'll see what I can do right after Christmas.
You can also get Air Commodore surendra tyagi for episode-82 mig 21 fishbed he said he flew it or you can ask him that if he knows someone who has a lot of experience in gnat or jyrki laukkanen would be excellent too. Idk whoever it is I want a podcast on folland gnat
@@FighterPilotPodcast It's the "wherever" part I'm inquiring about. Isn't the entrance to the bomber via the bomb bay? Are there many egress locations?
My wife’s grandfather was a B-24 “Carpetbagger” pilot flying night bombing runs into Germany. His plane was hit by flak on his very first mission. All safely bailed out over Belgium. Having flown myself in “Witchcraft”, I have no idea how.
My wife's grandfather was a welder at Ford's Willow Run plant. He had a photo of the B-24's in the assembly hangar that was incredible. They were rolling out a completed bomber every hour.
Incredible!
Tin Man Last month I saw a show (History or Discovery or something) that the govt was complaining to Ford that they weren't building B-24s fast enough. Ford said well you're adding something or changing the design every other day and it takes time to make changes to the line. They came up with Ford building every one exactly the same and then flying them somewhere else for the modifications to be made. That was how they got the production rate so high.
My Dad flew the B-24 in the Pacific during WW2...Went through the Aviation Cadet program from February 1942-February 1943. He went to preflight at Maxwell AAF ( Southeast AAF training center ), primary in Alabama, Basic at Walnut Ridge AAF, Advanced at Blytheville AAF. Later he went through 4-engine training at Davis-Monthan AAF. After completing training he was an instructor for about a year until he rotated overseas...Initially based in Saipan, he later transferred to Okinawa right before the end of the war, and flew in an Air-Sea Rescue squadron...THANKS for the Lib video!
I wish happy christmas to everyone involved in the Fighter Pilot Podcast, and everyone listening to it, especially the patreon supporters!
Thank you, you as well!
@The Fighter Pilot Podcast Thank you very much for this podcast on the B-24 Liberator. I grew up as a huge fan of both the The B-17 Flying Fortress and the Liberator but because of the B-17's beautiful design and its ability to take a pounding and still bring its crew home safely, I was drawn more so toward the B-17 Flying Fortress. However, that changed when I learned that at 9:30 AM on August 25, 1944, three bombardment groups - the 458th BG (H), the 466th BG (H) and the 467th BG (H), each part of the 96th Combat Bombardment Wing (H) of the 8th Air Force out of England, bombed a rifle factory, an aircraft component factory and a sheet metal factory in Lübeck, Germany. My maternal grandfather, an Italian POW who was captured while fighting with the Pinerolo Division of the Royal Italian Army against the Germans in the Pindus Mountains in central Greece in mid-October 1943, following Italy's armistice with the Allies in September 1943, was working as a porter in a foundry when those Liberators flew overhead. Out of 81 of them 5 were shot down. 110 civilians and 39 slave laborers were killed, unfortunately, but my grandfather was very lucky to survive that raid and the war, without a scratch. I like to think that they were a good omen, as if someone were trying to tell him, "Don't worry, buddy. Somebody's coming to get you out ASAP." He was eventually liberated by the British 11th Armoured Division at 1 PM on May 2, 1945, just three hours ahead of advancing Soviet troops.
Another great episode. Several years ago, I got a ride in the Collings Foundation's B-24J 'Witchcraft'.
My Great-Uncil, (grandfathers Brother,) was a TOP Gunner/Engineer on a B-24 until he was shot down in 1944. He loved to talk about his time in the air. But he always got distant when he even mentioned his ground time in France and Germany. I don't think he was in Germany long. I'd have loved to have learned more before he passed. Anyways, his story's have given me GREAT Appreciation for the Lady Liberator.
Great podcast
Another great Episode. You knocked it out of the park again.
Love these WW2 aircraft episodes.
Great interview by Boat ...& a great guest sharing all his insight.
Hope the BVR Team all had a great Christmas. All the best for the New Year.
Thanks, Chopper. 🤩
You guys are the best at this podcast I love it and look forward to watching and rewatching every day at work. I was looking forward to learning more about the b24 and you answered all my questions. Keep up the good work!
Thanks for the kind words, Patrick. We are glad to have viewers like you
Great episode -- thanks. The B-24 doesn't get the credit it deserves. I was a little surprised the guest didn't mention the Ploesti raid as a notable B-24 event.
My father's uncle flew in B-24s with the RAAF in the Pacific dropping commandos and secret agents onto the islands, which is a pretty obscure use.
Also I read an account once of a B-24 pilot who got separated from his squadron on a bombing mission to Germany. He fell in with a bunch of B-17s who thought he was a German plane and kept their guns trained on him until he dropped his bombs with them
The book The Arsenal of Democracy by A.J Baime is good look at the WW2 production war effort including the building of the Willow Run B-24 Factory by Ford. Willow Run by Warren Benjamin Kidder is another excellent Willow Run/B-24 resource if you can find it.
Great show, thank you and Merry Christmas 🎄😃
My great uncle, Frank Fink, was the Chief engineer on the B-24 and worked for Consolidated Aircraft. He also was a project Engineer on the the PBY Catalina, the pogo and the the XF2Y-1 Sea Dart.
Amazing, Dan! Do you have any good stories you’d be willing to share from his experience?
Thank you for making this interesting and informative podcast available to us here on TH-cam. Happy Christmas to all of you at The Fighter Pilot Podcast.
Thank you, Thunderace. Same to you and yours.
My father flew B-24's out of England during WWII. The only story I was told about his time there was from one of his friends. He said my father was tasked to fly as co-pilot on a mission with another crew to fill a slot for a sick crew member. It was the first combat mission of a plane named Sittin Bull. They got back from the mission with critically low fuel. On approach they saw that a plane ahead of them had stopped on the runway due to some issue. They didn't have the fuel to go around for another try at landing and the pilot was in a panic on what to do when my father took control of the airplane and landed it and steered it off the runway to avoid the other plane. As the departed the runway, one landing gear collapsed and the wing dug into the ground. Everyone survived. The plane only flew one mission. If you google "Sittin Bull" you can see a picture of the plane with a big "H" on the tail sitting in the dirt. My dad went on to fly his 25 missions and returned to the States. I am told his experiences over there resulted in changes that everyone recognized. He passed away in 1999, and never spoke of his time over there.
#respect
Great interview
Merry Christmas 🎄🕊😊
Coastal command b-24 in RAF had stub wings added down low and had a lot of rockets on rocket rails. These were late models of their anti sub bombers
“ flying the step “
She must gain altitude then trimmed to fly with a peculiar slightly nose down attitude or she’ll mush through the air and waste fuel and overheat engines. Open cowl flaps will buffet rudders and cause loss of some authority of tail. Higher airspeed cools better than open cowl flaps.
Never drag your wing flaps when not needed or again you’ll waste fuel. On long missions you’ll need every drop. 14 + hours missions over South Pacific common. Navigator absolutely essential.
Fuel systems, hydraulic systems, electrical systems, braking systems, instrumentation and canopy and escape hatch systems. Cable and pulley system routing and control surfaces and trim control.
Condition of each engine and turbo charger. Overall condition of entire airframe and structure of landing gear and tires.
There is no unimportant part on that magnificent aircraft and make sure she is ship shape before each and every take off. Practice with altitude engine out conditions with various configurations. Flap degree flight characteristics. Know your ship from stem to stern.
Baby her in deference to her advanced age.
In event of dubious brake capacity on short landing strip if so equipped deploy tail skid and instruct crew after touching down to move to rear of waist section to apply weight over skid. Will slow craft sufficiently. Never taxi her with excessive braking or lock nose wheel to stops. No excuse to abuse a B- 24 in that way.
Plenty control available with outboard engines. Follow check list for shut down and report any anomalies to crew chief.
Best of luck and fly safely.
The tanker variant “ flying the hump” to fuel B-29 operations from China.
Never designed for that center of gravity configuration and was extremely hazardous duty over some of the most challenging terrain and weather systems in the world.
Just like the P-51 B/C/Ds "steal" a little bit of the p-47´s glory - the B-17 does from the B-24s.. Nice some of it gets set straight.
A little jokingly of course, but there is some truth in it. ;)
Another great episode. I like the look of the mighty Lib and especially the variant with the "normal" tail - PB4Y?
B-24 movie Sole Survivor starring William Shatner.
Can we get a podcast on folland gnat a British very light single seat, single engine fight it was the first fighter of the British red arrows and it was in service in Indian Airforce and it was named as the saber Slayer in IAF
Jyrki Laukkanen would be excellent person to talk about Folland Gnat. He is retired Finnish Air Force officer and test pilot and he wrote a book on Folland Gnat, published 2018.
@@nikopursiainen9097 know how to get a hold of him?
@@FighterPilotPodcast I have an idea from whom to ask. In november 2019 I was at his lecture on Folland Gnat (interesting lecture on interesting plane) so... I will contact the organizers. I'll see what I can do right after Christmas.
You can also get Air Commodore surendra tyagi for episode-82 mig 21 fishbed he said he flew it or you can ask him that if he knows someone who has a lot of experience in gnat or jyrki laukkanen would be excellent too. Idk whoever it is I want a podcast on folland gnat
@@FighterPilotPodcast Jyrki Laukkanen has been interviewed by "Aircraft interview" about 3yrs ago maybe he can help you contact him.
A segment on a ME-262?
😎
@@FighterPilotPodcast THAT WOULD BE AWSOME!
Can we get some podcast on foreign fighters? Soviet bombers?
Sure, send us whoever you know that has expertise and speaks good English.
TU-95? That would be awesome.
@@navyreviewer definitely would!
@@FighterPilotPodcast indian navy had a tu-95 india was the only nation to get a tu-95 outside the Soviet union
Have you considered grabbing a Thrustmaster and flying a simulator realtime while interviewing?
th-cam.com/video/yABWWdA-TNs/w-d-xo.html
Copy that!
Did I miss the part about ability to bail out?
Nope, just jump on out from wherever you can…no ejection seats!
@@FighterPilotPodcast It's the "wherever" part I'm inquiring about. Isn't the entrance to the bomber via the bomb bay? Are there many egress locations?
@@USNRaptor there are the waist gun windows and the bomb bay, so any of those places if they’re available.
My wife’s grandfather was a B-24 “Carpetbagger” pilot flying night bombing runs into Germany. His plane was hit by flak on his very first mission. All safely bailed out over Belgium. Having flown myself in “Witchcraft”, I have no idea how.