B-50 Superfortress
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| B-50 Superfortress | |
|---|---|
| B-50 Lucky Lady II, the first-ever aircraft to fly around the world nonstop. | |
| Type | Strategic bomber |
| Manufacturer | Boeing |
| Retired | 1965 |
| Primary user | United States Air Force |
| Produced | 1947-1953 |
| Number built | 371 |
| Unit cost | US$1,144,296<ref name="knaack">Knaack, Marcelle Size (1988). Post-World War II bombers, 1945-1973. Office of Air Force History. ISBN 0-16-002260-6.</ref> |
The Boeing B-50 Superfortress was a post-World War II revision of the wartime B-29 Superfortress with new, more powerful Pratt & Whitney R-4360 radial engines, a taller vertical stabilizer, and other improvements.
The original designation was B-29D, but the designation was switched as a political ploy, because the United States Air Force believed that the 1945 Congress would not fund further development of a World War II-era design.
The USAF Strategic Air Command had B-50 Superfortresses (B-50s and RB-50s) in service from 1948 through 1954.
Boeing built 371 of these between 1947 and 1953, some serving until 1965. A reconnaissance variant, the RB-50B (a B-50B conversion) existed and played an important role in Cold War espionage. An aerial refueling tanker conversion designated KB-50 was used in the Vietnam War.
In 1949, the B-50 Lucky Lady II, commanded by Captain James Gallagher, became the first airplane to circle the world nonstop. This was achieved by refueling the plane in flight.
Image:Boeing B-50 USAF.jpg While not many were ordered, the B-50 was the ultimate expression of the B-29 family and one of the last piston-engined bombers built. The B-50 was retired from its main role as atomic bomber in 1955. A number were converted into KB-50 tankers and lasted long enough to be deployed to Southeast Asia in support of tactical operations. The type was grounded and removed completely from inventory when wreckage of a KB-50 that broke up in flight in 1965 revealed corrosion problems in the fleet. No flying examples exist today, although several can be found in various air museums.
Contents |
[edit] Variants and Design Stages
- XB-44: One B-29A was handed over to Pratt & Whitney to be fitted with the new Wasp Major 28-cylinder engines. Initially designated B-29D, this was eventually changed to B-50A in December 1945. (x1, converted)
- B-50A--First production version of the B-50. It had new wings that were stronger and lighter than the units on the B-29. It also had taller vertical tail than the B-29. (x60)
- B-50B--Increase in gross weight over the A model, from 168,480 lb (76,420 kg) to 170,400 lb (77,290 kg). Also included a new type of lightweight fuel cell. (x45)
- B-50D--Definitive production version of the B-50. The 7-piece nose cone window was replaced by a single plastic cone and a flat bomb-aimer's window. Many included the new boom-type refueling system. (x222)
- DB-50D--Drone director conversion of a B-50D, to be used with the GAM-63 Rascal missile. (x1, converted)
- EB-50B--Single conversion of a B-50B to be fitted with a track-tread undercarriage. (x1, converted)
- KB-50--Air to air refueling tanker conversions of the bomber. (x134, converted)
- KB-50J--Tanker B-50s with improved performance, via two extra General Electric J47 turbojets under the outer wings. (x112, converted)
- KB-50K--Tanker conversions of the TB-50H trainer aircraft. (x24, converted)
- RB-50B--All but one of the B-50Bs were converted into the recon role. These were fitted with nine cameras in four stations, weather instruments, and a bomb bay capsule holding the extra crew members. (x44, converted)
- RB-50E--Special photographic conversions of the RB-50B, modified at Wichita. (x14, converted)
- RB-50F--Conversions of the RB-50B, fitted with SHORAN navigation radar for special missions. (x14, converted)
- RB-50G--Conversions of the RB-50B, fitted with electronics countermeasures statios along with the SHORAN radar. (x15, converted)
- TB-50A--Trainer conversion of the B-50A. (x11, converted)
- TB-50D--Trainer conversion of the B-50D. (x11, converted)
- TB-50H--Newly built trainer planes. (x24)
- WB-50 --Weather reconnaissance conversion of the B-50.
- WB-50D--Weather reconnaissance conversions of outdated B-50Ds, fitted with meteorological equipment. (x36, converted)
- YB-50C--Version to be fitted with the Variable Discharge Turbine version of the R-4360 engine. None were built.
- B-54A--Proposed version of the YB-50C.
- RB-54A--Proposed reconnaissance version of the YB-50C.
[edit] Specifications (B-50D)
General characteristics<h3>
- Crew: 8: Pilot, co-pilot, flight engineer, radio/electronic countermeasures operator, 2 side gunners, top gunner, and tail gunner
- Length: 99 ft 0 in (30.2 m)
- Wingspan: 141 ft 3 in (43.1 m)
- Height: 32 ft 8 in (10.0 m)
- Wing area: 1736 ft² (161.3 m²)
- Empty weight: 80,610 lb (36,560 kg)
- Loaded weight: 121,850 lb (55,270 kg)
- Max takeoff weight: 173,000 lb (78,470 kg)
- Powerplant: 4× Pratt & Whitney R-4360 radial engines, 3,500 hp (2,600 kW) each
<h3>Performance<h3>
- Maximum speed: 395 mph (343 knots, 636 km/h)
- Cruise speed: 244 mph (212 knots, 393 km/h)
- Combat radius: 2,100 nm (2,400 mi, 3,860 km)
- Ferry range: 5,000 nm (5,760 mi, 9,270 km)
- Service ceiling: 36,650 ft (11,170 m)
- Rate of climb: 2,225 ft/min (11.3 m/s)
- Wing loading: 70.19 lb/ft² (343 kg/m²)
- Power/mass: 0.115 hp/lb (193 W/kg)
<h3>Armament<h3>
- Guns:
- 12× .50 in (12.7 mm) M2 machine guns in remote controlled turrets
- 1× 20 mm (0.787 in) cannon in tail
- Bombs:
- 20,000 lb (9,100 kg) internally
- 8,000 lb (3,600 kg) on external hardpoints
- 12× .50 in (12.7 mm) M2 machine guns in remote controlled turrets
- 1× 20 mm (0.787 in) cannon in tail
- 20,000 lb (9,100 kg) internally
- 8,000 lb (3,600 kg) on external hardpoints
[edit] References
<references/>
- Baugher, Joe (2000-06-17). Boeing B-50 Superfortress. Encyclopedia of American Aircraft. Retrieved on 2005-12-06.
[edit] Related content
Related development<h3>
<h3>Comparable aircraft<h3> <h3>Designation sequence<h3> Air Force: B-47 - XB-48 - YB-49 - B-50 - XB-51 - B-52 - XB-53 { <h3>Related lists<h3>de:Boeing B-50 fr:Boeing B-50 Superfortress it:Boeing B-50 ja:B-50 (爆撃機)
