Consolidated PB4Y-2 Privateer

PB4Y-2/P4Y-2 Privateer
U.S. Navy PB4Y-2 from VP-23 in flight.
General information
Type	Maritime patrol bomber
National origin	United States
Manufacturer	Consolidated Aircraft
Primary users	United States Navy United States Coast Guard
Number built	739
History
Manufactured	1943–1945
Introduction date	1943
Retired	1954, U.S. Navy 1958, U.S. Coast Guard
Developed from	Consolidated B-24 Liberator

The Consolidated PB4Y-2 Privateer is an American World War II and Korean War era patrol bomber of the United States Navy derived from the Consolidated B-24 Liberator. The Navy had been using B-24s with only minor modifications as the PB4Y-1 Liberator, and along with maritime patrol Liberators used by RAF Coastal Command this type of patrol plane was proven successful. A fully navalized design was desired, and Consolidated developed a dedicated long-range patrol bomber in 1943, designated PB4Y-2 Privateer.^[1] In 1951, the type was redesignated P4Y-2 Privateer. A further designation change occurred in September 1962, when the remaining Navy Privateers (all having previously been converted to drone configuration as P4Y-2K) were redesignated QP-4B.