We’re approaching the 70th anniversary of the conception of the Consolidated B-24 Liberator — the most produced bomber aircraft of World War II. The US Army Air Corps formally invited Consolidated to submit a design in January 1939 for a bomber with higher speed, greater range, and higher ceiling than the Boeing B-17 Flying Fortress — the dominant bomber at the time. With a first flight in late 1939, the B-24 Liberator was destined to become one of the most successful bombers of the war, with over 18,000 aircraft constructed from 1940-1945 — the highest produced multi-engine aircraft ever (a record that stands to this day).
The B-24 never received the public limelight that the B-17 got, mostly because of it’s rather boxy and ungainly look and the fact the B-17 was featured in several popular war films and documentaries. Still, the B-24 flew more missions, dropped more bombs, and was used in more theaters of operations than any other bomber.
In tribute of the Consolidated B-24 Liberator, we present to you this fantastic black and gray tattoo of the B-24. This particular tattoo, of a D-Model (with the greenhouse style nose) was created by artist Hector Cedillo of Skin Graff Tattoo in Worcester, MA.
Interestingly, Worcester, MA is only several towns over from Stow, MA — the home of the Collings Foundation, operators of one of the two remaining flyable B-24 Liberators in the world. It tours the nation annually with a B-17 Flying Fortress, B-25 Mitchell, and P-51 Mustang as part of the Wings Of Freedom Tour.
Please click on the image above or the link below for a larger image plus a second detailed shot of the nose of the bomber.
We need your flying tattoos! Send us yours at tattoosinflight@gmail.com or submit your tattoo and story using the button at the right!
![[del.icio.us]](http://images.del.icio.us/static/img/delicious.small.gif){kind=small}
