World War 2 In Review: Consolidated R2Y Liberator Liner

Consolidated R2Y-1 Liberator Liner.

The Consolidated R2Y Liberator Liner (Consolidated Model 39 redesignated as Consolidated-Vultee Model 104) was an airliner derivative of the B‑24 Liberator built for the United States Navy by Consolidated Aircraft.

Development and Service

The XR2Y-1, as the single prototype was known in Navy service, used the high-aspect wing and tricycle landing gear of the Liberator. The fuselage was an entirely new design, and the vertical stabilizer was taken from the PB4Y Privateer. The final design looked much like a smaller, high-wing Boeing B-29 Superfortress, but with windows for passengers.

The aircraft was meant to carry passengers or cargo to distant Navy bases, but after a brief evaluation the prototype was demilitarized in the mid-1940s, returned to Convair, and leased to American Airlines as a freighter with the name "City of Salinas".

Role:

Prototype military transport aircraft

Prototype cargo aircraft

Manufacturer: Consolidated Aircraft

First flight: 15 April 1944

Status: Experimental

Primary users:

United States Navy

American Airlines

Number built: 1

Developed from: Consolidated B-24 Liberator

Crew: unknown

Capacity:

48 passengers with baggage

1,200 lb (550 kg) of mail

12,000 lb (5,500 kg) of cargo (after refit)

Length: 90 ft 0 in (27.45 m)

Wingspan: 110 ft 0 in (33.55 m)

Airfoil: Davis (22% at root to 9.3% at wingtip)

Gross weight: 56,000 lb (25,000 kg)

Maximum takeoff weight: 64,000 lb (29,000 kg)

Powerplant: 4 × Pratt & Whitney R-1830-94 radial engines, 1,200 hp (900 kW) each

Cruise speed: 240 mph (380 km/h, 210 kn)

Range: 4,000 mi (6,400 km, 3,500 nmi) at 200 mph (322 km/h)

References

Bridgeman, Leonard. "The Consolidated Vultee Model 39." Jane's Fighting Aircraft of World War II. London: Studio, 1946. p. 217.

John Wegg, General Dynamics Corporation. General Dynamics Aircraft and Their Predecessors.

Consolidated R2Y-1 Liberator Liner.

Consolidated RY-3 Liberator Liner cockpit, 26 April 1945.

View of interior of Consolidated R2Y-1 Liberator Liner looking aft and the auxiliary ceiling under the wing. 2 June 1945.

View of interior of Consolidated R2Y-1 Liberator Liner looking aft at the auxiliary ceiling under the wing. 2 June 1945.

View of interior of Consolidated R2Y-1 Liberator Liner looking aft at the auxiliary ceiling under the wing and the right hand side of the fuselage. 2 June 1945.

Although still carrying U.S. national markings, this Consolidated RY-3 Liberator Liner, marked “Liberator Liner” on fuselage sides, is in process of being prepared for marketing it as a commercial airliner.