The Consolidated XB-41 Liberator was a single Consolidated B-24D Liberator bomber, serial 41-11822, which was modified for the long-range escort role for U.S. Eighth Air Force bombing missions over Europe during World War II.

When the USAAF started strategic bombing in Europe there were no fighters available to escort the bombers all the way to distant targets.

[1] The port waist mount was originally covered by a Plexiglas bubble; testing showed this caused severe optical distortion and it was removed.

Despite this, Consolidated continued to work on the XB-41 prototype; wide-blade propellers were fitted, and some of the armor was removed to reduce the aircraft's weight.

Tests resumed at Eglin on 28 July 1943; however, the basic flaws of the "gunship" concept remained, and the XB-41 program was abandoned.