World War II US Gunships: YB-40 Flying Fortress and XB-41 Liberator Bomber Escorts

The XB-40 and XB-41 were secret, experimental modifications of the B-17F and B-24D into heavily-armed bomber gunships developed during early World War II to escort and protect regular B-17 formations from Britain to Germany. However, they were overweight and tail-heavy, causing center of gravity problems, and encountered delays in development and delivery of their armament additions. The YB-40 participated in only 14 operational service test missions before being withdrawn from service, while the XB-41 never saw operational testing before being cancelled. Their failure spurred the adoption of the Merlin-powered P-51 Mustang, which was key to Allied victory in the air war over Europe.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 80 pages
Publication date: 26 November 2020
Publisher: Bloomsbury Publishing PLC

The XB-40 and XB-41 were secret, little-known experimental modifications of the B-17F and B-24D, respectively, into heavily armed bomber gunships, sometimes referred to as "bomber escorters." They were developed during early World War II in response to the lack of a USAAF long-range fighter aircraft capable of escorting and protecting regular B-17 formations making the round trip from Britain deep into Germany. Using many formerly classified documents from his large microfilm collection, William Wolf presents their previously unpublished history. It describes in depth for the first time the politics and development and associated problems of both escorter types. Unfortunately, these "protecters" were found wanting in several ways. After the addition of guns and ammunition, they became overweight and tail-heavy, causing center of gravity problems, and each encountered numerous delays in the development and delivery of their various armament additions and improvements, particularly the Bendix chin turret. In the end, the YB-40 participated in only 14 lackluster operational service test missions during mid-1943 before being withdrawn from service. The XB-41 Liberator never saw operational testing before also being canceled for its poor performance. The failure of the gunship concept left a huge hole in the capabilities of the Eighth Air Force. Their failure, however, spurred the adoption of the Merlin-powered P-51 Mustang, the outstanding escort fighter that was key to Allied victory in the air war over Europe.

Weight: 268g
Dimension: 186 x 247 x 8 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781472844699