Over the years I have obtained a few photographs of the early Liberator aircraft and thought I’d post a few here with a very brief history of each aircraft. But first, a couple of historical facts involving the British in the development of the Liberator. ……………………………….. The Liberator got its name in an unusual way. The name was suggested by the governess of Major Reuben Fleet’s (Chairman of Consolidated Aircraft) children, her name was Miss Edith Brocklebank. She was British. Consequently, on 25 October 1940 Air Commodore B G A. Parker of the British Purchasing Commission had written to Major Fleet to ask what name Consolidated had given to the bombers that they would soon start delivering to them. In his reply dated 28 October 1940, Fleet stated the name was ‘Consolidated Liberator’ adding, “We chose Liberator because this airplane can carry destruction to the heart of the Hun, and thus help you and us to liberate those nations temporarily finding themselves under Hitler’s yoke” ………………………………… No.120 Squadron RAF Coastal Command officially began operations on 20 September 1941 when Flt/Lt. S.J. Harrison and crew in Liberator AM924. D/120 flew an anti-submarine patrol, accompanied by the Commanding Officer, Wg/Cdr. McBratney. This was the first time a Liberator had been flown under operational conditions. ………………………………… 120 Squadrons first action came on 4 October 1941 when Fg /Off. T. Llewellyn and crew took off from Nutts Corner at 08:13 hrs flying Liberator AM924. D/120, they were tasked with the anti-submarine escort of convoy OG.75 some 500 miles west of Ireland. A search was carried out for submarines, which had been reported by the Senior Naval officer of the convoy. While carrying out this search a F/W Condor was sighted about one mile away to starboard. The Liberator gave chase, flying at a height of 600ft and was overhauling the Condor at a rate of 35 knots, when at a range of 800yds fire was opened with the front 20mm canons, 184 shells being fired. The Condor turned to starboard into cloud and D/120 turned to port to intercept, when the enemy aircraft came out of the cloud it was 200ft above the Liberator whose rear gunner fired, but he was hampered by the tail fin, the starboard side guns managed to get in a burst of fire at 600yds. The Condor then dived to 300ft but the chase had to be abandoned as the Liberator had received two hits in the engagement and the inner starboard engine had to be feathered. D/120 landed safely back at base at 18:00 hrs. The first time a Liberator was involved in military action of any kind. Well explained about in Liberator aircraft RAF service!! Nice sharing!!
AM928 Ex 40-2367 Arrived UK 2 June 1941 Served 120 Squadron RAF Coastal Command Went on charge with 120 Squadron on 7 August 1941 being the first completely fitted operational Liberator I aircraft. AM928 served for some six months until on 27 May 1942 when she undershot a landing and crashed into sand dunes at Stornoway, she was transferred to 63 MU for repairs but was eventually struck off charge on 22 June 1942. Nice operational aircraft......image of aircraft is so nice....thank you so much for sharing your info...!!
Some info on Liberator use outside the UK: The first B-24 Liberators in the Desert « The Crusader Project All the best Andreas
Hello Peter, Can I make use of the picture of AM924 and the details of the crash as given by yourself. I confess to rushing ahead and making use of the details already and would like to add the aircraft also. Brian Frank Smith the 3rd gunner/W/O is on our memorial Braintree & Bocking WW2 Memorial.
Hello, Im hoping to find out more about my grandfathers service in the RAF as well as his brother, to my knowledge Gerard served in the No.511 squadron then proceeded to leave the RAF to join the Navy/Merchant Navy around the last 2 years of the war. Gerard Usher is his name, born may of 1921. Joined the RAF in 1939 Service number: 1006038 His brother Edward Usher born Abt 1910 joined the RAF as well I assume the same year but I have no knowledge about his service. Any information would be deeply appreciated! (Picture 1: Edward is on the left and Gerard to the right) (Picture 2: Edward with his crew, Edward is standing back row, second from far left) (Picture 3: is Gerard's RAF deficiencies of kit card)