COBI Building Set HC WW2 Consolidated B-24 D Liberator (COBI-5739)

Building set of the famous American bomber B-24 LIBERATOR with insignia of the 373rd Bombardment Squadron USAAF. The assembled model features retractable landing gear, an opening bomb bay, rotating propellers, and a removable cockpit cover for seating figures. The package includes a figure of pilot Roy E. Tooman, a figure of co-pilot Robert E. Hairston, and a block with a description.

Number of blocks: 1445 pcs
Package weight: 1655 g
Scale: 1:48
Number of figures: 2 pcs
Box dimensions (package): 60 x 32 x 7.5 cm
Dimensions when assembled: 68.5 x 45 x 13 cm
Recommended age: 9+
Blocks can be combined with another well-known brand: Yes
Contains glowing blocks: No
Material: Plastic
Collection: World War II

Interesting facts:
» The development of the aircraft under the designation XB-24 began in 1935. The construction of the prototype took another three years, finally taking off on December 29, 1939.
» The first impressions were mixed, especially regarding the difficulty of piloting, but the long range and high payload sparked extraordinary interest from the USAF.
» The bomber achieved decent speeds even at low altitudes thanks to the Davis wing, making the B-24 an exceptionally high-quality aircraft, although it never stepped out of the shadow of the famous B-17.
» Despite all the positives, the B-24 also had a weak point. The Allies did not have fighter aircraft with a sufficiently long range to provide protection for bombers on long-distance missions.
» The B-24 was also less comfortable compared to the B-17. Crews also complained about the constant draft and unbearable cold due to insufficient spot heating.
» A major advantage was the special double bomb bay doors, which allowed the bomber to be converted into a transport and supply aircraft without complicated modifications.
» Several machines were converted into successful submarine hunters. Crews conducted long and monotonous patrol missions in the Pacific, earning the aircraft the nickname Mr. Boredom.
» On the British version, designated Mk. III, Czechoslovak crews flew in the 311th Bombardment Squadron.
» 18,188 units of many versions were produced in American factories.
» The last of them were retired from the Indian Air Force in 1968.
 
Technical specifications of the original
Dimensions: wingspan 33.53 m, length 20.22 m, height 5.46 m
Empty aircraft weight: 14,810 kg
Maximum takeoff weight: 27,216 kg
Powerplant: 4x Pratt & Whitney R-1830-43 radial engines, each with 895 kW power
Maximum speed: 488 km/h
Climb time: 22 minutes to an altitude of 6,700 m
Maximum flight level: 9,144 m
Range: 3,701 m
Fuel tank capacity: 8,949 l
Armament: 7,443 kg of bombs + 7.7 mm Browning machine gun in the front + 2x Colt-Browning M2 machine guns in the upper turret + 4x Browning machine guns in the rear turret and 2x Browning machine guns in the side sections