B-24 Liberator Long Range Heavy Bomber

The B-24 Liberator was used by many Allied air forces during World War II as it was considered to have a more advanced design for its time. It had greater speed, greater range and a heavier bomb load than its principal counterpart, the Boeing B-17 Flying Fortress bomber. It was a breakthrough in aircraft technology making the B-24 the most produced military aircraft of World War II.

Post World War II in Australia saw the B-24 fleet turned into scrap metal. Liberator A72-176 was fortunate to avoid this fate and instead was used as a functioning surveying aircraft. Eventually the Liberator was disposed of on March 23, 1948 from East Sale Airfield. The fuselage was purchased by nearby resident Mr George Toye in 1948, however the wings and tail were scrapped before the plane was purchased.

Formed in 1989, B-24 Liberator Memorial Restoration Australia Inc. dedicated their time and energy into restoring the B-24 back to its former glory. The restoration group aims to restore the aircraft to a “live” condition; however there are no intentions of flying the aircraft. Restoring the B-24 Liberator also celebrates the memory of the meritorious actions and sacrifices of men and women who served in Liberators during the Second World War.

Liberator A72-176 was more than 90% restored at July 2014 when the heritage recognition was held.

B-24 Liberators on the production line at the Willow Run factory in the United States during World War II
Source: US Air Force

RAF B-24 Liberator A72-176 after restoration at the time of the Heritage Recognition Ceremony in July 2014
Source: Owen Peake

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Engineering Heritage Recognition Program

Marker Type	Engineering Heritage International Marker (EHIM)
Award Date	13 July 2014
Heritage Significance	The B-24 represents a notable advance in the development of aviation technology in being the first practical application of the American, Davis-designed wing. The new wing gave a much improved performance with fewer materials used in its construction, and thus less weight overall, compared with its contemporaries. In this respect it was regarded as the forerunner of the modern aeroplane in terms of longer slimmer wings, which eventually took on the swept-wing configuration of today's large passenger jets. It also pioneered the use of tricycle undercarriages on large four-engine aircraft which eventually became the stamp of modern aircraft design. This particular B-24MR Liberator (R denoting its radar applications) is the only one of its kind left in the world.
Nomination Document	Available here.
Ceremony Booklet Ceremony Report	Available here.
Plaque/Interpretation Panel Image	Available here.