Consolidated B-24M-1-CO Liberator “Out of the Night II” 43rd Bomb Group 63rd Bomb Squadron, 44-41809, radar countermeasures aircraft
The 63rd Bomb Squadron, known as the “Sea Hawks,” operated “Out Of The Night II,” a B-24M-1-CO, during its missions out of Clark Field on Luzon, the Philippines. This aircraft, bearing the unit’s emblem on its fin, was painted in a gloss black finish as tests showed it was better for night concealment than matte black.
The B-24M-1-CO, with serial number 44-41809, was the third of its type produced. Its first flight was on September 28, 1944. From San Diego, it was flown to Tucson for modifications before being delivered to the Army Air Forces on November 18, 1944.
“Out Of The Night II” served as a radar countermeasures (RCM) or “ferret” aircraft, equipped with specialized electronic systems. These included two ‘auto scan’ receivers, a pulse analyzer CRT, a Hewlett-Packard variable-frequency audio oscillator to determine radar pulse recurrence frequency (PRF), and several antenna systems, including an omnidirectional radar signal search antenna. The radar antenna on the right side of the nose was the only visible external modification.
The primary mission of these “ferret” aircraft was to detect and locate Japanese radar stations, determining their capabilities, including the detection range of targets based on altitude and azimuth bearing. Besides their electronic warfare role, the Sea Hawks also used their B-24s for night strikes against Japanese shipping and land targets.