Question about RAF 120 Coastal Command B-24D Liberator's

[Graham Boak]

Sorry I was not clear, the belly pack was for the 4x20mm cannon in the Mk.I, only. The B-24D without UK mods, as described above, would have had a Martin dorsal turret and a Consolidated rear. Earlier British Liberators would have had Boulton Paul 4x0.303 turrets in the tail and dorsal position, although some would only have them in the tail. Note however that the side guns are not the normal single US fit but a special offset twin 0.303 mounting unique to the Mk.III.

There was considerable variety in early British Liberators, so it is best to work from photos of the particular example you have in mind. The best source is available from Air Britain, and is The Liberator in RAF and Commonwealth Service, by James Oulton. The book includes a very good photo of FK229, 120/M, which shows it to have no dorsal turret, and the BP in the tail, with ASV radar aerials. There is a profile of FK224 120/J, with an identical fit. I would expect FK222 to be the same, but although it spent some time at Scottish Aviation this time is not specifically described as for Coastal mods, so perhaps not.

There appears to be some confusion over the Mk.IIIAs. This serial block was originally intended to cover lend-lease B-24Ds but the aircraft appear to have been production Mk.IIIs, which were armed with the Martin top turret, the BP tail turret, and these unique waist gun positions. The Coastal mods included removing the Martin turret and added ASV radar.