The Consolidated B-32 Dominator was a heavy bomber that was used by the United States during WWII. The B-32 was powered by four Wright R-3350-23 Duplex Cyclone 18 cylinder radial engines, giving the aircraft a maximum speed of 587 km/h. Range was 1,287 km with maximum bomb load, and 6,115 km with maximum fuel. Armament consisted of ten 12.7 mm guns in five turrets and a maximum bomb load of 9,072 kg.^[1]

Service ceiling was 10,670 m and initial climb rate was 1,050 ft (320 m) per minute. Empty weight was 60,272 lb (27,339 kg) and max take off weight was 55,906 kg. The B-32 measured 25.02 meters in length and 9.80 m in height, with a wingspan of 41.15 m.^[2]

HistoryEdit

It was the last US aircraft built during the war to see combat. Ordered in September 1940, the B-32 was designed in tandem with the B-29 Superfortress - to the same Hemisphere Defence Weapon specifications - in case that aircraft failed.^[1] A high wing monoplane of somewhat smaller size than the B-29, with retractable tricycle undercarriage, the first prototype made it's initial flight on 7September 1942, two weeks ahead of the XB-29. Known as the Consolidated Model 33 (XB-32),^[2] the type had a smooth streamlined nose, like the one on the B-29, and twin fins like those on the B-24.^[1] The second prototype, first flown on 2 July 1943, introduced a stepped pilot windscreen, while the third, first flown on 9 November 1943, was fitted with the single large fin of later B-24s. The layout for the third prototype was selected for the Model 34, which entered production as the B-24 Dominator.^[2]

The heavy and complex armament was eventually replaced with manned turrets. This move was followed in 1943 by elimination of the troublesome pressurisation system, resulting in operations being restricted to a maximum altitude of 30,000 ft. This led to the delivery of operational B-24s being delayed until November 1944, by which time B-29s had been operating from forward bases in China for almost eight months.^[2] As a result, only 115 of the large number ordered from Fort Worth and San Diego had been delivered by VJ Day,^[1] Only seeing action with a few units against Japanese targets in 1945, 15 examples becoming operational with the 386th Bombardment Squadron at Okinawa. A pair of B-32s were involved in the last aerial combat of World War II, when they were attacked by 14 Japanese fighters while conducting a photo-reconnaissance mission over Tokyo on 18 August 1945. The action resulted in the destruction of at least two - possibly four - Japanese fighters. One B-32 crewman was killed, and another two were wounded.^[2]

Some 40 examples of a TB-32 training aircraft were also produced, but both versions were quickly withdrawn from service following the end of World War II.^[2] None were preserved.

ReferencesEdit

1. ↑ ^{1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3} Gunston, Bill. Illustrated Directory of Fighting Aircraft of World War II. Salamander Books. 1988. ISBN 0-86101-390-5 Pages 364-365
2. ↑ ^{2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 2.5} World Aircraft Information Files Aviation Partwork. Midsummer Books Ltd. File 891 Sheet 36:A-Z of Aircraft - Consolidated Model 32 (B-24 Liberator) (continued) to Consolidated Model 39 Liberator-Liner (R2Y)

v • d • e Bomber Aircraft of the United States Military Dive Bombers A-31 Vengeance • A-36 Apache • SB2C Helldiver • SBD Dauntless • SB2U Vindicator Torpedo Bombers TBD Devastator • TBF Avenger • TBV Georgia (A-31 variant) • TBY Sea Wolf Light Bombers SB2A Buccaneer • Martin Baltimore • Martin Maryland • A-20 Havoc • A-26 Invader • A-28/A-29 Hudson • Northrop A-17 Medium Bombers B-18 Bolo • B-23 Dragon • B-25 Mitchell • B-26 Marauder • B-34 Lexington Heavy Bombers B-17 Flying Fortress • B-24 Liberator • B-29 Superfortress • B-32 Dominator Patrol Bombers PBY Catalina • PB4Y-2 Privateer • PBM Mariner • PB2Y Coronado Experimental Bombers Boeing XB-15 • Douglas XB-19 • North American XB-21 • Douglas XB-22 • North American XB-28 • Lockheed XB-30 • Martin XB-33 Super Marauder • Boeing XB-38 Flying Fortress • Boeing XB-39 Superfortress • Boeing YB-40 Flying Fortress • Consolidated XB-41 Liberator • Douglas XB-42 Mixmaster