By 1945 several squadrons of Privateers were conducting operations from the Philippines to the Aleutian Islands. The PB4Y-2 with its distinctive single tail was much better equipped than the earlier PB4Y-1, which was basically just an adapted B-24, and stayed in Navy service after the war for missions such as weather reconnaissance and signals intelligence, before being retired around 1955. Several were then modified as civilian air tankers used in fighting forest fires until 2002. This one was tanker 'C30', registered N3739G, now restored in the colours of VPB-120, Shemya Island, AK in 1945

This is a VPB-122 squadron aircraft. Photo by Logan Coombs.

Owned by Cal-Nat Airways. In open storage, without engines, and still showing the spray bars installed by a previous owner, Cisco Aircraft. Photo by John Stewart

Still owned by Cal-Nat Airways, the aircraft is shown during the process of returning it to airworthy status.

Seen at an Air Show at Lockbourne AFB in May, 1958. Operated by the Naval Reserve unit based at NAS Columbus.

Resurrected with parts from N2870G and ferried to Pensacola, Florida, on 16/17 January 1983 for display at the Naval Aviation museum. Faded red text on the forward fuselage says "Danger - Stay Clear".

Derived from the B-24 / PB4Y-1 Liberator, the Privateer was a dedicated maritime patrol aircraft with a single tailfin. 739 Privateers were delivered to the US Navy from late 1944. Photo from: US Navy - National Naval Aviation Museum