B-24M ''MAMA FOO FOO''(BURMA THEATRE)

The last of the mass-produced Liberator bombers was the “M" version. A total of 2,595 planes were produced and Ford Motor Company built 1,677 of them. This version differed from the earlier types by its more slanted bomb aimer's panel, bulged navigator side windows and a lighter tail turret. A later version, the B-24N was cancelled just after the world war II, but a modification of it, the US Navy PB4Y-2 was produced and served the Navy in control squadrons for several years. B24's were withdrawn from service at the end ot the war and nearly all were scrapped.

Four Pratt & Whitney radial engines, rated at 1,200 horsepower each, gave the aircraft a maximum speed of 300 miles per hour and a ceiling of 30,000 feet. Range was about 2,100 miles and maximum load was 64,350 pounds, with 8-10 personnel on board. Armed with ten .50 caliber machine guns and 8,800 pounds of bombs, the B-24M had the ability to carry its load deep into Germany.

Many of the American aircrews serving during World War II painted inspirational artwork on the noses of their aircraft. This model faithfully reproduces “Mama Foo Foo', a B-24M-15-CO, serial 4442094, of the 374th Bomb Squadron, 308th bomb group with the 14th Air Force. She served in the China-Burma-India Theatre of Operations.

The 374th Bomb Squadron heavy bombardment unit served from May 1943 to May 1945 and received two Distinguished Unit Citations for combat in the Western Pacific. In the last months of the war, the 374th moved from Kwanghan, China, to Rupsi, India, where co-pilot Fred Hardy is credited with naming and painting 'Mama Foo Foo' in preparation for the Squadron's return to the United States. Get this kit to build yourself, a distinguished WWII American heavy bomber! "