What its like to fly a B-24 Liberator

Heres an inside look at what its like to fly a B-24 Liberator from the pilots point of view
I do not own the rights to the music
Music Rob Bailey and the Hustle Standard
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[@caseydwalker]

Hey guys, I reuploaded the entire video without music! Heres the link kzbin.info/www/bejne/a6W1f2p8hZirq5Y

[@bboucharde]

Hello Casey, On behalf of many B-24 fans, THANK YOU!

[@kevinsweeney5836]

Liked the music. Who is it?

[@chuanist]

Thanks. I stopped this video as soon as I heard the piano.

[@garyfoutch5974]

.... and who's idea for the music is anybody's guess.. second Question : Why ?

[@wernerkarstens651]

Casey Walker Fr

[@brianholihan5497]

My dad was a radio operator and waist gunner in 25 bombing missions on a B-24. He was shot down, taken POW, was in the Black Hunger March, and weighed 80 pounds when he was liberated. I have a world of respect for everyone who flew in them. If you want music, just about all of those guys were into Big Band. Songs by Tommy Dorsey, Glenn Miller, Benny Goodman, and Duke Ellington would have been in their heads as they hoped to return home.

[@thehitmanblogtalk9308]

I want to say , Thank you ! Thank you for producing this video. I'm 48 year old who's father flew the 24 in WW2 . You have given me a chance to see what my father saw in that very cockpit and given me a little of my father to me as I watch this . Simply amazing and I can no thank you enough for shooting this first hand video !

[@lindapolle1665]

The 24 was my Dad's "work truck" serving as bombader in WWII over Germany. Later, as crew radio operator, he clocked over 50 trips across the Pacific, flying the sick and injured home, after the MASH units patched them up, in the Korean War. Thanks for this video. Now I have something to show my son and his daughter. 😁

[@nancyeberheim5580]

agreed, my dad was in the ball gun turret - wow ..what these men gave for all of us ..amazing

[@jimthomas6227]

Great to see from this pov. My dad was a co-pilot and sat in the right seat. He flew 31 missions from 6-6-44 to 8-15-44.

[@cdjhyoung]

My father was a pilot in the 492nd Bomb Group. He arrived in England on 6-5-44. Any chance they served in the same bomb group?

[@Bob.W.]

My uncle George went down in his Liberator Nov. 5, 1943 over Munster. They crashed off of Holland. The plane was founf a few years ago in 10 meters of water. He is buried in the Ardennes Military Cemetery outside of Liege.

[@androo9320]

As the grandson of a Liberator pilot, thank you. It’s refreshing to see a no frills, no BS view of the two pilots in action. Not pilot & copilot. It took a team to run these old multi-engine craft, and nothing better illustrates that than a real-time view of them in action. Personally I like the music; it fits 😁

[@stedyone1090]

My father was. B24 pilot squadron leader for 25 missions over Germany and France. 8 to 10 hour in the sub zero altitude being shot at by fighters and flak. They saw God on every mission. They were all heroes. My father flew this remaining Liberator from Chicago to Indiana before he passed. His name is also painted on the plane Lt. Edward T Holum

[@tonyedwards7200]

I just really wanted to hear the music of the engines...

[@thunderpuppy6719]

My mother worked at the Consolidated plant in Ft. Worth, Texas building B-24s during the war. She would have enjoyed this video.

[@bigsteve6200]

They once Ruled the Sky !. God bless them all that flew in them and those who never returned. Semper Fi

[@jamessims3844]

My mother’s first husband Lt. J. B. Kirkpatrick flew 24s out of North Africa. He was shot down over Italy and is buried in Italy. Thanks for the video.

[@lawrencesmith1227]

Thanks for the Show, fun to watch. My father flew the 24 in the war, ted's traveling circus.

[@Carstuff111]

This was absolutely epic! Beautiful landing, and such a beautiful sound that beast makes. Now going to watch the version with no music. :)

[@RobertsonDMcI]

Thanks for this video. I just finished watching the wartime film about the construction of the B-24 at the Willow Run Bomber Plant -- superb WW2 film -- and it sure was appropriate to follow with your fine film. My favourite bomber of that era was the Lancaster. As a Scot, a child of the forties, I was exposed to low pass bombing training over the nearby fields near our farm near Glasgow.

[@rikijett310]

Lancasters rock!!!!

[@pusher44gmcjb25]

Thank you very much! Easy to find B-17 stuff, hard to find this amazing famous machine. My she fly forever! Thanks again.

[@Greg4Grace]

Thank you for documenting this. My grandfather was a bombardier on a 24 in the pacific and flew 59 missions. Likely thanks to his training, his crew, some good luck and the B-24 itself I’m here and have many many cousins. God bless those young men who flew in WW2. The planes are beautiful but they were built for one purpose - war.

[@ThepowderbluesForum]

My great grandfather was Reuben H Fleet. Founder of Consolidated. This is a sweet video. Thanks for making it.

[@margaretroselle8610]

The sound of those engines.....great!

[@jeffreydamerst6899]

My Dad was a navigator with 392nd group in a B24 out of Wendling, England and made 35 missions from 1944 to the war's end. Great video.

[@mikehall5493]

Thank you so much for this video. To see what my grandfather saw and did in Europe 30 something missions. I love you grandpa.

[@davidwadsworth8982]

So cool, my dad flew 17's during W W 2. Got tom go up in one at air show at Stewart, in New York,1979,before he passed.

[@jetpilot3714]

What a nice job! When I get a little more settled in my airline career, I’m going to try and affiliate with a CAF squadron. I used to fly with the CAF as a small child. What fun! Keep um flying!!

[@MrGambler650]

How awesome it must be to be able to fly such a beautiful piece of history!!

[@pjb5757]

An amazing aircraft , i have a great respect and admiration for the crews who flew and the ground staff who maintained these aircraft. My great uncle was an observer who served in one of these with 224 sqadron RAF Coastal command in WW2. He and five other members of his crew lost his life in a flying accident, over Plymouth 30.10.1942 he was only 24 and the pilot was only 21. FK242 we will remember you.

[@OwarnKan0bi]

She was a beauty to fly in, flew in her at Santa Ana this year along with the P51 Mustang, B17 and B25. The Collings Foundation do an amazing job to keep these war birds where they belong. Priviledged to have experienced them all .

[@navigator100group2]

My father was a Navigator in 223 Squadron RAF, flying in B 24 liberator the squadron was one of two. The other were B17’s 214 squadron He was part of what was known as 100 Group, based at RAF Oulton. The planes were fitted out with radio counter measures Electronic Warfare they would fly as a decoy known intruder missions towards the end of 1944. The front gun position was converted into a Navigator position. Their would be no co pilot, they flew at night in the British winter, taking off in the dark and landing in fog as likely as not. I found all this out recently, as I discovered a book about 223 squadron, entitled “ Special Ops Liberators” now consider the age of the crew, in 1944 my father was 22 years old!

[@cjcollom]

My heart was racing on both takeoff and landing! VERY COOL

[@cobeymyers8116]

Dad flew these out of Rackheath; 789th the “Rackheath Aggies”. RIP dad, you’ll always be my hero.

[@billkerr1814]

My Dad flew one of these in WWII. Crashed in his last mission. Lived into his 70s.

[@nealchipoletti892]

Great video! My father was a nose gunner in a B-24. He was credited with 50 missions and Purple Heart with Oak Leaf Cluster while with the 15th AF, 376th Heavy Bombardment Group, 515th Squadron (Satin's kids). They started in North Africa and then quickly went to bases in Italy. They bombed some pretty important places.... Sub pens in France, Ploesti oil fields, refineries in Austria and marshaling yards in Budapest. He never spoke of it until he was about 50 yrs old. PTSD I will assume. Then the most amazing stories of heroism followed. They we shot up over Vienna and ditch in the Adriatic. Got picked up by Italian fishermen and were in a new B-24 in about 10 days. He always said "they were just doing their duty". America's greatest generation for sure..... Thanks to every one of them!

[@Miatacrosser]

Neal Chipoletti Where in Italy was the 376th based. My father flew with the 450th based at Manduria, Italy. I'm sure they flew many missions together.

[@c123bthunderpig]

Guys, my father was 451st BG - eventually based out of Castelluccio , Italy

[@trawlertravels6376]

Really great. My Father in law was a navigator and bombardier on one of those. Shot down and lived to tell some story.

[@caseydwalker]

Thats awesome!

[@woodychadwick9834]

My friend was a waist Gunner, only got one bf109, but he tells a good story. And it's true.

[@Woody-nc1ru]

To fly a piece of history like that is unimaginable, what a privilege that would be. That was cool to see the pilots working the controls.

[@alamogordo280]

great video! it's impressive to learn that this impressive machine was practically disposable, made not to last long.

[@carolineparker4828]

My dad flew the B24 Liberator during 1944-45 in the Far East WW2. He was an RAF pilot. He loved the plane and has shared many memories of flying it with his crew. He still has his flying log of that time! He is 93. I cannot remember the squadron number but his badge had an elephant on it. Interesting film.

[@richgg2]

Awesome! Those boys that worked at Consolidated sure knew how to build a beautiful airplane.

[@edwardharding8148]

My next door neighbor flew this "flying coffin" over Germany ! He passed away 10 years ago, but I know he would love this video ! RIP Bill !

[@capdexcox2339]

Thanks for the unique POV. Sure looked like you had your hands full...

[@kevinmalloy2180]

Wow. Am reading The Wild Blue (by Stephen Ambrose) re McGovern’s B-24 experiences. This gave a great insight into the CRM to get airborne and back down. Thanks!

[@jangelbrich7056]

LOVE this one! Even with music. Yes of course I would also prefer "raw" sounds, because that is "original music", u c. Thanks!!

[@Craby7979]

Awesome video! Thanks for sharing.

[@charleswheatley3897]

Sweet old gal, flown in her many times.....Thank you Collings foundation.

[@ianeyolfson6525]

This is the best thing I’ve ever seen love you 😍

[@gilbertjtube]

Great video. My dad was a waist gunner in B24s. In fact, his bombadier wrote a book about his plane and missions: TARGET PLOESTI: VIEW FROM A BOMBSIGHT.

[@user-um8fy8wh4n]

Thanks.. Just ordered a copy on Amazon.

[@NigelsModellingBench]

WOW, JUST PLAIN WOW!! Thanks for posting.. music or not, it's great!!

[@SuperPeartree]

My dad was a co-pilot on a B-24 during WWII. Planes name was Jere Linda. They were anti-submarine warfare during late 1942-1943: He died on September 4th 1943 in Morocco.

[@brianjschumer]

God bless your father..He fought for freedom.

[@pabs5270]

Thanks for this video. Awesome.

[@nelsonmorcillo1656]

Why the music and why so loud.?

[@normanfeinberg9968]

No Bitching from my house.As a former flight engineer on C-97G aircraft and others,I really enjoyed the rolling take-off.I've heard managing the fuel panel on this bird was complex.Thanks for the look-see.

[@richardfuller2326]

A neighbor of ours was a B-24 pilot during the war, he told us a story that was hilarious! One day they got word that the neighboring base just recived a shipment of beer! They decided to fly the B-24 there to pick up a load of beer for their squadron. They didn't get permission, they just took it upon themselves to go anyway. They loaded up the cargo bay and proceeded to get back to their base. They decided to make a low level pass around the squadrons quarter's to let them know their beer mission was successful. But as they made a tight low level turn over the barracks, the cargo door opened and all the beer fell out, bombing the barracks with extreme accuracy! Lucky, no one was hurt, but the base commander was not too pleased! He failed to see the humour in it! I love the men and women who served or are still serving in our military ! May God bless you all and all that are dear to you! And may God bless America!

[@MikeBrown-ex9nh]

I never got to meet my Uncle Lester Lock. He was the pilot of a B-24 that went down in world War two. All these years later it is interesting to see his view in and from the cockpit.

[@dont2086]

I had my picture taken at the machine gunners positions a few years ago. The Liberator was on display at Paducah Kentucky. I never had the chance to fly in one but I will bet it's awesome.

[@kamakirinoko]

Dad, R/O with the 467th, flew 26 missions including Dec 24/25, 1944 to disrupt the Nazi Ardennes Offensive. I'm writing an imagined bio of the Dec 23 mission. He was a great guy and lived to 86, going back to the sky in 2009.

[@raillease1452]

Love all the videos about warbirds, and I've flown in this 24, but almost got sea sick from the rapid movements of his head-mounted GoPro video. Certainly also agree with the comments about the music.

[@joebwan0240]

No music please. Keep all cockpit chatter and flight noise intact.

[@riproar11]

I had the opportunity to fly on the Collings Foundation B-24 back in 2016, instead of my annual flight on their B-17. I would tell anyone that the flight experiences are completely different and it all depends on which one you love the most. You can explore some areas of the planes during the walk-through tours, but when you fly on them you have access to areas that the general public doesn't. You can climb into the front and rear gun turrets on the B-24 and access the bombardier position through a narrow crawlspace alongside the front-nose landing gear. One thing about the B-24 is that the area behind the bomb bay is so large and open, unlike any other WWII warbird and it has small staircases of all things!

[@oscarjonesxxx2893]

I'd really like to hear ATC associated with any flight of this kind - ATC and engines = sweet music. Thanks for the video.

[@vgahren]

Cool video! Always wondered what it would be like flying a Liberator. . . minus the whole getting shot at thing. 😊

[@coryeberwein3096]

My lifelong dream. Great video.

[@emousey11]

I worked on this plane last august-october as a mechanic for Collings, it was a great time that was my favorite plane lol

[@emousey11]

Gary still working on those planes lol great guy

[@Wilett614]

I have Flown Collings B24 Many times over the years , Worked on her and Helped as a volunteer also Shes a Sweetie ! Flies like a Dream , as long as you dont Push her too Hard : ))

[@richardmourdock2719]

Just finished reading Steven Ambrose's "Into the Blue"..... anyone interested in B-24s should pick it up. Great read. The guys that flew and manned these planes in WWII were a tough and special breed. God Bless'em All.

[@Doubledave05]

That's a big and old bomber. Nice flying. Thanks for sharing

[@lawrencemarocco8197]

My mother was a "Rosie the Riveter" who worked at a subcontractor factory in Detroit that made components for B-24s assembled at the Ford Bomber Plant in Willow Run, MI. She started fabricating speed rings for mounting the engines and then was promoted to building wing sections. Edsel Ford developed improvements in the assembly and logistics processes that enabled the plant to produce "a bomber an hour" around the clock. Made the B-24 the most produced American aircraft. Also once had a co-worker who was a ball turret gunner in a B-24. A very dangerous position on any airplane but especially hazardous on a Liberator. The turret retracted into the fuselage and the gunner could only enter or leave the turret when it was retracted. If battle damage or another malfunction prevented the turret from retracting, the gunner was stuck inside. This was a real problem when landing as the turret had the possibility of hitting the runway on contact causing serious injury or death to the gunner.

[@jayuihlein1664]

My uncle Julius flew this type of plane in WWII. Must have been a 'liberating' experience! 35 missions.

[@stuartstravels1640]

Nice flying, lovely old bird.

[@tonnywildweasel8138]

Fantastic! Thanks for sharing. Greets from the Netherlands.

[@johnharris7353]

Those engines! Boy they sound great!

[@fsj197811]

Thanks for uploading without music, I'll give you a thumbs up over on that one.

[@billws893]

My Dad was a B-24 instructor, then flew 30 or so missions from England to Germany, his plane "Spare Parts" was the lead aircraft in the first 1,000 plane raid on Germany. He would always tell me about practicing "fighter in the landing pattern" basically a short final where you stand that B-24 on its' wing and get it on the ground.

[@tropicalhunch2802]

Wasn't aware the B-24 came with on-board musical entertainment.

[@docgrit441]

Some years ago I worked with a WW2 B24 pilot. I was allowed by him to read his flight log book. It told the story of his missions by how his writing went from being able to read it then with me having to ask him what he had written. He bombed Polesti oil fields...twice. I only hope his son has the log book or has donated it ....

[@friendofcoal]

The sound of those big jugs on the radial engines cranking & revving up, there is nothing like them.

[@airraptor]

Pilot did do the checklist very well. Copilot read off the checklist and the pilot just said off or on never touched each switch.......

[@ChloeDunIT]

Awesome!!! Keep 'me coming!

[@gavinbainbridge6512]

These old girls need to be preserved and kept airworthy as a tribute to the whole generation who saved their freedom to pass on to us lesser mortals, the men who designed them, the just too old for war men who built them, the young housewives and girls who learned to make them, the ferry pilots who delivered them and above all the mere kids who took them to war for all our freedom.......LEST WE FORGET THEIR SACRIFICE!

[@kenny06261989]

MY DAD FLEW B 24 IN WW 2. IT WAS OUT OF ITALY. HE WAS LUCKY NOT TO LOSE ANY CREW. HE WAS A GOOD PILOT

[@lindapolle1665]

Hi, from his bombader's daughter. Much later we served in Germany, as part of the occupation forces, wondering if we were to blame for the extensive neighborhood remodeling. :(

[@MrPoppimarko]

don't need the MUSIC!!!

[@larrybrown9425]

Awesome, thank you for sharing.

[@johnnicatra570]

I had the pleasure of working on Collins foundation b24 when it was still in stow in pieces.

[@sheddski2942]

i was looking over some of my dads pics he took when in flight training aboard a PB4Y2 Privatier during WW2 in florida he was a bomber air crewman (bombadier) in the navy the war ended, before he got out he was in california in a pilotless aircraft base in 1946

[@mdteletom1288]

My father was a radio operator for 16 flights on a B24 called the Sassy Lassy; he would've sat behind the co-pilot on left barstool type seat on the higher ledge as the cameraman was getting on the plane at the beginning. Across and down from him would be the navigator. This is the third video I've seen of a WW2 bomber here (a B29 and B17 were the others) and I'd to say this plane is the most cramped and uncomfortable looking of all of them, especially the pilot and co-pilots seats. No wonder my dad called this plane the "flying brick." God bless these guys for being able to fly 12 to 14 hour missions in these conditions.

[@Pileits]

Music NOT required. Just the engine sound that is music to my ears is all that is needed.

[@eh438]

REALLY don't need the MUSIC!!! why, why, why, always with the music??

[@Spawnmmjtf2]

Thank you! Love it! as others have pointed out.. I could have do without the music.. Is it because the camera is on top of your head or that flies with a nose high attitude??

[@skovner]

Which B24? From the glimpse of the outside and the B-17 nearby at the end, was this the Collings Foundation B-24 WItchcraft?

[@ricksadler797]

Awesome video thank you

[@jorrreg]

Cool video, cool soundtrack, like postrock...dieselpunk! Thx!!!

[@MrFranciscovenci]

Thank you . You made my day

[@ethanhatcher5533]

Flew on Witchcraft last summer, what a ride

[@stevec6455]

My dad was instructing in this aircraft on June 6 1944 in Kansas. He was hated not being part of the invasion that day.

[@brendabuiskool8398]

Sounds really smooth for an old girl what year and where built? Willow Run?

[@agp7073]

Nice video but could do without the music!

[@SimmeringPotpourri]

Yep. I'm taken out of the moment with that music. Feels a little douchey. It's short but first impressions.

[@jeffmaggard3694]

SimmeringPotpourri the men who flew this machine would never think about playing songs like that

[@fortunatebum]

I’ll be honest I flew in this beast and there is nothing much your missing out.

[@Patchman123]

@@jeffmaggard3694 It didn't exist then.

[@rebeloneal4592]

Bringing it in at number 17 on my bucket list was my ride in a ww2 bomber flying fortress B-24. Liberator 4/18/1997 Shaw air force base Sumter S.C.

[@theoccupier1652]

Nice video ruined by ...... Guess what ..... Aviation fans love the music of engines

[@Hvtesla]

yes yes yes

[@budmeister]

Only if you want to keep hearing a loud obnoxious sound that just keeps going on and on.

[@mrgreen2570]

And the dumb two in ...comment

[@oakpineranch]

What’s Obnoxious is the music

[@whosonfirst1309]

@@budmeister that’s just the music of machinery. A symphony to some.

[@kruiskop1]

Interesting to see how much correction input is required to counteract the turns on the final approach. She looks like a sluggish old beast. Landing very smooth. I like how the window is open and you can stick your elbow out, like in a sports car :-) My father said he jumped out of one of these (over Malaya?) and didn't like the narrow hatchway (downwards?).

[@tjs2047]

My dad flew the 24 based in Italy. You startup seem different then he told me but good video.👍

[@charlesrobert4151]

Where in Italy? My uncle was a B-24 pilot stationed at San Pancrazio Italy with 376th BG, 514th BS.. from June ‘44 till he was KIA Oct 14, 1944 on bomb run over Yugoslavia. abmc.gov/decedent-search/hann%3Droland

[@barryporteous4904]

Great video: "what's it like to fly the B-24?" watching the movement of the engine controls and hearing the appropriate response from the engines, except for stuff like smell and vibration, we, the interested viewers, have only sound and vision. Why, oh, why are half of our senses numbed by backing music? Help us discover what it is like without the band in the fuselage. If there is a lead guitarist and a big amp behind the pilot for real, especially in 1943, then I apologise!!

[@joannb5908]

Barry Porteous a

[@larryb8022]

Wow how exciting is this, restored and back in the air a war war 2 plane back form retirement .

[@Royalstar1964]

Great video! I flew on this B-24 twice, can't tell you how amazing it was! My father was a Radio Operator on the B-24s. Stationed in Hethel, England he flew 15 missions and was involved in a mi-air collision with another B-24 over their airbase in England. 17 killed, my dad and his Bombardier made it out as well as the pilot from the other aircraft. My dad was shot down his very next mission on Christmas Day in '44 during the Battle of the Bulge. He made it back after hiding out a few days in the Ardennes. Unbelievably, in 2017 his airplane was discovered in LaFosse, Belgium! I went there with family members to take part in a dig to uncover more parts. Check out documentary on KZbin named the GhostPlane of LaFosse.

[@davidsalomon8426]

A big and powerful airplane, one of the most famous flying fortress.

[@totokingkong1]

What a soft landing for such a beast!