Lighting Guy, you have helped some, but the B-24 was just as rugged as the B-17, and if you say that to B-24 crews who were brought home in an all shot up Liberator, they would have words with you.
I will agree that the P-38 was a good fighter that was one of the first who could profive the escourt. And yes the Liberator got less press, but if you like WWII art, there are some great posters and War bonds stuff fore The Libs and Ford's Willow run plant, that was just a great site. The Lib was used in every Theature and proformed with high marks. It's airframe was used for bomber, trasport, and even tanker. 8)
Question how is it that your posts are so high when you just joined?
Lanc, we are agreeing, the Liberator was the deal that helped seal the atlantic, that and the crazy production of the Jeep carriers. 8)
This thread is a little off topic, but that is fine. As for the thought that flack hit alaround, I would have to say that some of the German gunners could put it right up at the cocpit. Some Japonese units used captured or downed Liberators to shadow the formations to give the gunners heading, speed, and altidude. They would stay until the crews realized who it was, a great story about that in a book I read.