Of the trio of heavy bombers employed by the USAAF, the Consolidated B-24 Liberator was unquestionably the most versatile and was also the most produced aircraft in US history with over 18,000 built, at its peak an average of one per hour including production at Ford's enormous Willow Run factory (the largest assembly line in the world at the time). Similar in performance to the B-17, it could carry a heavier payload over a larger distance and so was initially more suitable for the Pacific theater. In 1942 B-24s began sharing bombing duties over Europe with the 8th Air Force, a role which both aircraft performed for the duration of the war and which will be remembered for a number of daring raids such as those against the Ploesti oil fields flown with the 15th Air Force in the Mediterranean. The incredible range of the B-24 made it a promising maritime bomber platform, and these were used extensively and with great success by the US and the British against the U-Boat threat, many considering it one of the most important contributors in turning the tide of the Atlantic campaign. Other wartime users included Australia, Canada, and South Africa with around a dozen additional operators in the post-war era. All in all, the Liberator ranks as probably the most versatile heavy aircraft ever built, successful in every role in which it was adapted to and undoubtedly a true legend of military aviation.

A prototype XB-24 was first flown on 29 December 1939 and initial orders were placed by Britain and France though production of the first models was limited. The first major production variant was the B-24D which was mainly used in the Pacific but some were sent to Europe and Africa, notably the Ploesti bombers. Experience against the Germans led to refinements in the B-24E (built by Ford) which featured improved propellers, the B-24G with a two-gun powered nose turret to counter Luftwaffe head-on attacks (the same which plagued the B-17), the B-24H, and the B-24J, the most produced definitive variant of the Liberator. This model had an improved autopilot, bomb sight, and changes to its defensive armament. Final versions were the B-24L and M which were characterized by different turret configurations. Patrol bombers with the US Navy were designated PB4Y (described in a separate entry) while a transport version was known as the C-87, later versions were notable for their large single fin. Finally, the C-109 was a tanker conversion for carrying fuel across the Himalayas. RAF Liberators served as both bombers and maritime patrol aircraft flying vitally important Atlantic anti-submarine missions, the Liberator Mk. I and Mk. II were devloped from the early export prototypes while those which corresponded with USAAF versions were the Mk. III, and GR.V (both B-24E) as well as the Mk. VI and Mk. VIII (both B-24J).