Postage Stamp Planes PS5557-5
Consolidated B-24D Liberator Diecast Model
USAAF 376th BG, 512th BS, #42-72843 Strawberry Bitch, Ploesti, Romania, Operation Tidal Wave August 1943 |
| 1:163 Scale | | Length | | Width |
|---|
| Consolidated B-24D Liberator | | 5" | | 8" |
One of the Mediterranean Theatre of Operation's (MTO) most famous B-24's was "Strawberry Bitch". Depicted here in the camouflaged desert pink scheme applied to North Africa based Liberators in 1942-43, it wears a command stripe around its fuselage. "Strawberry Bitch" survived the legendary Ploesti Raid of August 1943. A combined Liberator force from the Ninth and Eighth Air Force left North Africa destined for the giant German refineries at Ploesti, dedicated to destroying as much of these as possible and handicapping the German ability to fuel its combat forces. Despite suffering heavy losses the mission was a massive success and inflicted vast amounts of damage on major portions of the oil fields. Of the one hundred and seventy nine Liberators that left forty three were lost and a further fourteen aborted. Five hundred and thirty two aviators lost their lives. Designed to fill a United States Army Air Corps need for a heavy bomber, the B-24 Liberator was first flown on December 29, 1939. The USAAC originally asked Consolidated to build the B-17 under license, but the company instead chose to submit a more modern design with greater speed, greater range and a heavier bomb load. Despite these advantages, the B-24 was more difficult to fly, had poor formation-flying characteristics, and was much more vulnerable to battle damage, which meant it never became the favored bomber among American aircrews. It did prove more than serviceable, however, especially for long-range missions. © Copyright 2003-2025 The Flying Mule, Inc. The "Postage Stamp Planes" range presents affordable, ready-made diecast models of military and civilian aircraft. "Postage Stamp Planes" diecast airplanes feature: - Diecast metal construction with some plastic components.
- Realistic panel lines, antennas, access panels and surface details.
- Pad printed markings and placards that won't fade or peel like decals.
- Presentation stand to display the aircraft "in flight".
- Authentic ordnance loads.
© Copyright 2003-2025 The Flying Mule, Inc. |
