Early Liberator aircraft in RAF service.

Discussion in 'The War In The Air' started by Peter Clare, Jul 25, 2009.

  1. Peter Clare

    Peter Clare Very Senior Member

    Thanks for that, it makes interesting reading.

    regards
    Peter
     
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  2. samson smith

    samson smith Discharged

    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!!
     
  3. samson smith

    samson smith Discharged

    [​IMG]

    [​IMG]

    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...!!
     
  4. Andreas

    Andreas Working on two books

  5. Debtor

    Debtor Junior Member

    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.
     
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  6. Peter Clare

    Peter Clare Very Senior Member

    I'm quite sure that will be OK.

    Best wishes

    Peter
     
  7. Debtor

    Debtor Junior Member

    Thanks.
     
  8. Dave55

    Dave55 Atlanta, USA

    I'm so glad this thread got a bump. Terrific stuff. Thanks Peter.
     
    Peter Clare likes this.
  9. Roger511

    Roger511 New Member

    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) 133462357_1345096102489659_7251642884196734199_n.jpg 133121957_257623405703409_249895191678575216_n.jpg 133424193_774681499794572_2718932352546066088_n.jpg
     

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