NOTE: The question marks shown at the top speed, cruising speed, and maximum range did not hold true under combat conditions. They were a lot less. Our usual bombing altitude was around 26,000, as that was the efficient ceiling with a load of bombs. In contrast the B-17 Flying Fortress would go in at about 32,000 feet. That additional 6,000 feet provided an extra safety margin when under fire by flak. Our most used bomb load was ten 500 pound demolition bombs. However, when we flew in "Naughty Forty" (B-24G), we were usually in the last position in the squadron formation. That was because her engines were tired. We would start out with a full load, but she would lag behind and we would have to jettison two of the 500 pound bombs to catch up. She had over 1,000 combat hours when the war ended. By that time we were flying B-24L's. For those of us who used her from time to time she was a lucky ship. RWR - 7 Jan 1993
