Article 9158 of rec.aviation.military:
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From: jfb@usgp1.ih.att.com (Joe Baugher)
Subject: Bomber Series--Consolidated B-24 Liberator (38 of 38)
Message-ID: <D14J0F.6x3@ssbunews.ih.att.com>
Summary: RY-3 Privateer transport, Liberator C.IX
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Date: Tue, 20 Dec 1994 19:19:27 GMT
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The RY-3 was the transport version of the PB4Y-2 Privateer.  It was 
assigned the company designation of Model 101.  The RY-3 differed from 
the PB4Y-2 in having no armament and in having a series of windows cut 
into the sides of the fuselage.  A large loading door was cut into the 
side of the rear fuselage, and fairings were installed where the nose 
and tail turrets had been.  A crew of four and 28 passengers could be 
carried.  16,641 pounds of cargo could be carried in the all-freight 
configuration.  A hinged nose allowed up to 1600 pounds of cargo to be 
carried in the forward section.  

The Navy ordered 112 RY-3s in March of 1944, but only 34 RY-3s were 
actually built.  Only a few of these planes actually ended up serving 
with the Navy, primarily being operated by the Marine Corps.  Most of 
the RY-3s were delivered to the Royal Air Force.  26 RY-3s were 
delivered to the RAF as Liberator C.IX starting in February of 1945.  
RAF serials were JT973, JT975/JT998, and JV936).  They were assigned 
to Nos.  231 and 232 Squadrons of RAF Transport Command.  The famous 
*Commando*, which was LB-30 AL504, was also converted to single-tailed 
RY-3 configuration in 1944.  

At the end of the war, the remaining RY-3s on the original order were 
cancelled, including 63 more Liberator C.IXs intended for the RAF 
(JV937/JV999).  Also cancelled was a version for the USAAF designated 
C-87C.  

The RAF's experience with the Liberator C.IX was not a happy one.  
Three (including *Commando*) were lost in fatal crashes, and there 
were speculations that there was something basically wrong with the 
structural integrity of the aircraft.  All surviving Liberator C.IXs 
except one were struck off charge in April of 1946 and scrapped.  The 
sole remaining Liberator C.IX (JT973, ex BuNo 90021) ended up flying 
ice-research missions with the Royal Canadian Air Force under the 
auspices of the National Research Council.  It was given the name 
*Rockcliffe Icewagon*.  It was kept flying by scavenging spare parts 
from the Liberator stores, and later from the U.S.  Navy's PB4Y-2 
inventory.  *Rockcliffe Icewagon* flew her last mission in late 1948, 
when it was replaced by a Canadair North Star (Merlin-powered DC-4) 
and scrapped.  

Serials of Consolidated-Vultee RY-3 Privateer:

90020/90050		Consolidated-Vultee RY-3 Privateer
90051/90056		cancelled contract for RY-3 Privateer
90057/90059		Consolidated-Vultee RY-3 Privateer
90060/90131		cancelled contract for RY-3 Privateer
90132/90384		cancelled contract for R2Y-1

Specification of Consolidated-Vultee RY-3 Privateer:  

Four Pratt & Whitney R-1830-94 fourteen-cylinder unsupercharged air 
cooled radial engines rated at 1350 hp.  
Performance:  Maximum speed 248.5 mph at 12,000 feet.  Cruising speed 
158 mph.  Initial climb rate 1180 feet per minute.  An altitude of 
10,000 feet could be reached in 16.3 minutes.  Service ceiling 18,300 
feet.  
Dimensions:  wingspan 110 feet 0 inches, length 75 feet 5 1/4 inches, 
height 29 feet 0 inches, wing area 1048 square feet.  
Weights:  31,000 pounds empty, 60,000 pounds gross.  
A crew of four and 28 passengers could be carried.  16,641 pounds of 
cargo could be carried in the all-freight configuration.  A hinged 
nose allowed up to 1600 pounds of cargo to be carried in the forward 
section.  

Sources:

    Famous Bombers of the Second World War, William Green, 
    Doubleday, 1959.

    British Military Aircraft Serials, 1912-1969, Bruce Robertson,
    Ian Allen, 1969.

    Liberator: America's Global Bomber, Alwyn T. Lloyd,
    Pictorial Histories Publishing Co, Inc, 1993.

    B-24 Liberator in Action, Larry Davis, Squadron/Signal Publications
    Inc, 1987.

    General Dynamics Aircraft and Their Predecesssors, John Wegg,
    Naval Institute Press, 1990.

    Consolidated B-24D-M Liberator IN USAAF-RAF-RAAF-MLD-IAF-CzechAF
    and CNAF Service, Ernest R. McDowell, Arco, 1970. 

    United States Navy Aircraft Since 1911, Gordon Swanborough
    and Peter M. Bowers, Naval Institute Press, 1990.

    American Combat Planes, 3rd Enlarged Edition, Ray Wagner,
    Doubleday, 1982.

    Jane's American Fighting Aircraft of the 20th Century,  Michael
    J.H. Taylor, Mallard Press.


Joe Baugher			  **************************************
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