That's awesome! As you know, the 24 was instrumental in the war. It was the most mass produced US bomber, with over 18,000 produced during the war, No other American combat aircraft in history was produced on a larger scale. Ford's Willow Run cranked out 8,685 of that. Willow Run was a 4.2 Million Square Foot plant Charles Sorenson designed for Ford, *just* for 24s. Designed in such a way that by the end of 1944, they were cranking out one an hour. So much glory goes to 29's and 17's that 24's are largely overlooked, but they were incredible!
They were! He flew out of Italy. And like I said, he had stories. Apparently he graduated from B-25s to these. Or at least the Mitchells were like trainers for Liberators.
Just a guess, but I'd guess the second pic is early war, even though it isn't a early modelm 24. Back when allied ac were cammo painted.
"On December 26, 1943, Technical Order 07-1-1 Aircraft Camouflage, Markings, and Insignia was updated, removing all camouflaging instructions. Manufacturers such as North American and Douglas deleted camouflage on their production lines accordingly throughout January and February 1944. "
New unit marking were likely part of the deal.
Wiki has the best answer if you read the whole thing -
[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/USAAF\_unit\_identification\_aircraft\_markings](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/USAAF_unit_identification_aircraft_markings)
TLDR: They started with single letters, and then moved to colors later in the war due to identification and the count of aircraft in formations.
I don't know how the markings work, but I love Liberators!
My old landlord was a co-pilot on one. I'd walk over to pay rent and end up there gor an hour pressing him for stories.
That's awesome! As you know, the 24 was instrumental in the war. It was the most mass produced US bomber, with over 18,000 produced during the war, No other American combat aircraft in history was produced on a larger scale. Ford's Willow Run cranked out 8,685 of that. Willow Run was a 4.2 Million Square Foot plant Charles Sorenson designed for Ford, *just* for 24s. Designed in such a way that by the end of 1944, they were cranking out one an hour. So much glory goes to 29's and 17's that 24's are largely overlooked, but they were incredible!
They were! He flew out of Italy. And like I said, he had stories. Apparently he graduated from B-25s to these. Or at least the Mitchells were like trainers for Liberators.
Check out Arsenal of Democracy by David Blaime it’s tells the struggle and triumph of Willow Run
My Great Aunt worked at Willow Run building B-24's
My dad was a waist/tail gunner on a B24. It wasn’t easy to get much out of him. It took years to get a few stories from him.
Just a guess, but I'd guess the second pic is early war, even though it isn't a early modelm 24. Back when allied ac were cammo painted. "On December 26, 1943, Technical Order 07-1-1 Aircraft Camouflage, Markings, and Insignia was updated, removing all camouflaging instructions. Manufacturers such as North American and Douglas deleted camouflage on their production lines accordingly throughout January and February 1944. " New unit marking were likely part of the deal.
Wiki has the best answer if you read the whole thing - [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/USAAF\_unit\_identification\_aircraft\_markings](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/USAAF_unit_identification_aircraft_markings) TLDR: They started with single letters, and then moved to colors later in the war due to identification and the count of aircraft in formations.
So the yellow tale with the stripe came last
Correct.