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  B-24J-85-CF Liberator Serial Number 44-44052  
USAAF
Former Assignments
RAF
IAF

Click For Enlargement
Susan Wolf, 2007

Click For Enlargement
Justin Taylan 2008

Aircraft History
Built by Consolidated-Convair. Constructors Number 1347. Delivered to the U.S. Army Air Force (USAAF) as B-24J-85-CF Liberator serial number 44-44052.

Wartime History
Ferried overseas to India. Assigned to the Royal Air Force (RAF) as Liberator GR.VI serial number KH191 and operated in India. Postwar, transfered to the India Air Force (IAF) as T-18. During 1972, stored at an Indian Air Force Technical College.

In 1982, it was airfreighted to the United Kingdom and stored at Blackbushe until 1986. Purchased by The Collings Foundation and restored by Tom Reilly Vintage Aircraft at Kissimmee Airport with the first flight on August 8, 1989.

This Liberator was adorned with two paint schemes.  On the left side was "All American".  On the right, it painted to represent B-24J "The Dragon And His Tail" 44-40973 with the artwork painted by Sarkis Bartigan. During 2005 repainted as "Witchcraft".

References
USAF Serial Number Search Results - B-24J-85-CF Liberator 44-44052
"44052 to RAF as Liberator GR.VI KH191. To Indian AF as T-18. In Indian AF Technical College, Jalahali by 1972. Acquired by Warbirds of GB Ltd and delivered to UK by Heavylift May 6, 1982. Stored dismantled at Blackbushe AP, England. Purchased by Collings Foundation and shipped to USA in 1986 and restored to flying condition, flying for the first time after restoration Aug 1989. Now with Collings Foundation. Last flyable "real" B-24. Registered as N224J and named "All American" In 2009 was named "Witchcraft" and bore the number 252534 on the tail."
The Collings Foundation - Consolidated B-24J Liberator

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Last Updated
September 2, 2025

 

Tech Info
B-24

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