Six of seven YB-24s built and 20 B-24As were transferred to Great Britain for use beginning in March 1941. These planes were redesignated LB30 and given standard British serial numbers. LB was short for Liberator British. The U.S. Army adopted the Liberator nickname for its B-24s.
The British received more than 500 Liberators for uses ranging from long endurance coastal patrols to long range transports (C-87). LB30s were delivered in upgraded models throughout World War II.
Type
Number built/
converted
Remarks
LB30A
6
YB-24 to Britain (S/N AM258 to AM263)
Liberator Mk. I (LB30B)
20
B-24A to Britain (S/N AM910 to AM929)
Liberator Mk. II
165
Improved LB30
Liberator Mk. III
156
B-24D
Liberator Mk. IV to IX
?
Numbers delivered varies by src.
TECHNICAL NOTES (Liberator Mk. II): Armament: 11 .30-cal. machine guns, plus 8,800 lbs. of bombs (maximum) Engines: Four Pratt & Whitney R-1830-33 radials of 1,200 hp each (take-off power) Maximum speed: 263 mph Cruising speed: 180 mph Range: 4,700 miles (ferry range); 3,000 miles with 2,500 lbs. of bombs Service ceiling: 24,000 ft. Span: 110 ft. 0 in. Length: 66 ft. 4 in. Height: 18 ft. 0 in. Weight: 46,250 lbs. maximum
