135 Dewoitine D.520

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Publisher: Profile Publications England
Cover: Soft
Profile

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Synopsis: The Consolidated B-24D Liberator represents the most numerous American heavy bomber of World War II, serving across every theater of operations and demonstrating exceptional range and payload capacity that enabled strategic bombing missions previously impossible with shorter-range aircraft. This comprehensive profile examines the development of this crucial bomber variant under the design leadership of Isaac M. Laddon at Consolidated Aircraft, creating an aircraft that incorporated advanced aerodynamic features and manufacturing techniques that enabled mass production on an unprecedented scale. The book details the aircraft's distinctive design characteristics including the high-aspect-ratio Davis wing that provided exceptional fuel efficiency and range performance, tricycle landing gear that improved ground handling, and modular construction that simplified manufacturing and maintenance procedures. Technical specifications reveal the B-24D's impressive capabilities: powered by four Pratt & Whitney R-1830-65 Twin Wasp engines producing 1,200 horsepower each, achieving maximum speed of 303 mph at 25,000 feet, with exceptional range of 2,850 miles and maximum bomb load of 8,800 pounds that enabled deep penetration missions throughout enemy territory. The profile analyzes the aircraft's innovative design features including the twin-rudder tail configuration that provided excellent control authority, capacious bomb bay with roll-up doors that reduced drag, and crew positions designed for efficiency during long-range missions over hostile territory. Armament analysis covers the comprehensive defensive system including ten .50 caliber Browning machine guns mounted in nose, dorsal, ventral, tail, and waist positions, providing overlapping fields of fire against fighter attacks from all directions. Operational history chronicles the B-24D's introduction to combat in late 1941, providing American air forces with long-range bombing capability that enabled operations against previously unreachable targets throughout the Pacific and European theaters. The book examines major Pacific operations including attacks on Japanese-held territories, long-range missions from Australia against oil refineries in the Dutch East Indies, and the systematic bombing of Japanese shipping that crippled enemy logistics throughout the Pacific war. European operations receive extensive coverage, analyzing the aircraft's service with the Eighth Air Force in daylight precision bombing missions over Germany, where B-24 groups suffered heavy losses while demonstrating exceptional courage and determination in attacking defended targets. Combat accounts detail the famous low-level attack on the Ploesti oil refineries in Romania, where B-24s flew one of the war's most dangerous missions, attacking heavily defended targets at minimum altitude with devastating losses but significant strategic impact. The profile covers Mediterranean operations where B-24s attacked German and Italian targets from North African bases, demonstrating the aircraft's versatility in various climatic conditions and operational environments. Technical sections examine the sophisticated autopilot and navigation systems that enabled precise formation flying and accurate navigation during long-range missions over vast distances with minimal ground reference points. The book details various specialized variants including the B-24D-CO with improved equipment, photo-reconnaissance versions with specialized camera installations, and transport variants that provided crucial logistical support throughout global operations. Anti-submarine operations receive coverage, analyzing the aircraft's adaptation for maritime patrol missions where exceptional range and endurance proved invaluable in attacking German U-boats throughout the Atlantic and Pacific oceans. The profile examines manufacturing achievements including the massive Willow Run plant that produced B-24s on an assembly line basis, demonstrating American industrial capability and enabling production of over 18,000 B-24s of all variants. Notable operations featured include precision attacks on German aircraft factories, the systematic bombing of Japanese industrial targets, and the aircraft's crucial role in maintaining Allied logistics through transport and supply missions throughout global theaters. Training operations are analyzed, examining the complex procedures required to train aircrew for four-engine bomber operations and the specialized techniques needed for long-range navigation and formation flying. The comprehensive profile includes detailed technical drawings, cockpit layouts, and color schemes from major combat units worldwide, providing essential reference material for understanding this crucial bomber's pivotal role in achieving Allied victory through strategic bombing and long-range operations.

135 Dewoitine D.520, is one of the many primary source materials in the Army Air Corps Museum collection.