Ford B-24H RAF/Coastal Command??

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I'm trying to find any record of RAF/Coastal Command of the Ford-built B-24H.

Thus far I've found small references to B-24H-15-FO 42-52776 going to the RAF as VB904. Also, B-24H-20-FO 42-94797 being drawn from USAAF stocks in the UK to the RAF as Liberator B.IV TT340.

Any info on either of these two aircraft (including camo and markings) or ANY other B-24H that may have gone to the RAF?

Thank you in advance.

AlanG
 
From The Liberator in RAF and Commonwealth Service the only B-24H model with Coastal Command was built by Consolidated Fort Worth.

BZ970 GR.VI ex 42-64432 B-24H-1-CF

There were then 18 B-24H models amongst 28 theatre transfers from 8th AF in Britain for use by 223 squadron 100 Group from Aug 1944 in the RCM role. The 16 Ford built aircraft amongst those were

TS521 ex 42-52483 B-24H-15-FO
TS522 ex 42-52712 as above
TS523 ex 42-52620 as above
TS524 ex 42-52573 as above
TS525 ex 42-52771 as above
TS526 ex 42-52572 as above
TS527 ex 42-52591 as above
TS528 ex 42-52731 as above
TS529 ex 42-94856 B-24H-20-FO
TS530 ex42-94981 as above
TS535 ex 42-94813 as above
TS536 ex 42-94771 B-24H-15-FO
TS537 ex 42-94847 B-24H-20-FO
TT340 ex 42-94797 as above
VB904 ex 42-52766 B-24H-15-FO
VD245 ex 42-52681 as above

Others were
TS519 ex 41-29568 B-24H-15-CF
TS520 ex 41-28868 B-24H-15-DT

These were in normal bomber command colours. Dark green, dark earth uppers, Black underside, red codes and serials.

There were then the following Ford built B-24H as theatre transfer in the Middle East / Med (one of 3*H, 8*G & 1*J)
TW759 ex 42-52205 -H-10-FO no record of RAF service between 1/45 and 5/45 when returned to USAAF.

Others were
TW758 ex 41-29278 -10-CF
TW762 ex 41-28722 -10-DT

Again no record of any RAF use or of camouflage.
 
Ewen,

EXCELLENT information. The book to which you refer is obviously one I need to get to fill in gaps on a current project.

Many thanks!

AlanG
 
I would also recommend The Aircraft of 100 Group by Martin Streetly if you can find a copy. Markings, mods etc all there. They were very non-standard.
 
Ewen, is this book available in the UK?? I can't find it here at amazon, Barnes and Noble or Abebooks.

Thanks.

AlanG
 
Ewen, Thanks for the head's up on the 100 Group. I've ordered it.

AlanG
 
ACResearcher said:
Ewen, is this book available in the UK?? I can't find it here at amazon, Barnes and Noble or Abebooks.

Thanks.

AlanG
Click to expand...
This is the first one I recommended. Histories of all RAF and Commonwealth Liberators. But long out of print. I’d forgotten just how long I’d had it!

The Liberator in RAF and Commonwealth Service: Amazon.co.uk: Oughton, James D., Hamlin, John F., Thomas, Andrew: 9780851303628: Books

Buy The Liberator in RAF and Commonwealth Service by Oughton, James D., Hamlin, John F., Thomas, Andrew (ISBN: 9780851303628) from Amazon's Book Store. Everyday low prices and free delivery on eligible orders.
www.amazon.co.uk
 
Coming in very late, but there's a photo of BZ970 in Tim Mason's The Secret years' book (Scan from ebay below)

BZ970 is shown on the middle right hand side. It's a H-1-CF

s-l960.jpg
 

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