Thu, May 01, 2025
While at EAA AirVenture 2015, ANN News Editor, Tom Patton, ventured out to visit the warbirds and was attracted to a large four engine aircraft that is a variation of the World War II Consolidated B-24. It turns out to be the world’s only flyable PB4Y-2, Privateer, which is a U.S. Navy version of the B-24.
To get the full scoop about the airplane, Tom talked with Boyd Gallaher, who is the pilot of the aircraft. Gallaher first became acquainted with this airplane in the late 1970s when it was being operated as a fire suppression aircraft. He described it as being like an, “Old knuckleheaded Harley that makes noise, rattles, and shakes.”
Gallaher offers some great information about the background of the aircraft in this video. The aircraft started out with the Navy but never saw action in World War II. It then moved on to the Coast Guard, but spent most of his life in the fire suppression business.
Tom asked specific questions about the flying qualities of the aircraft and Gallaher provides some great background about the flying and handling characteristics. Watch the video and you’ll find out why Gallaher said, “You have to be a monkey to get in it and a gorilla to fly it.”
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