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Boeing B-50 Superfortress

1948 COLD WAR KOREAN WAR STRATEGIC AIR COMMAND

The History of the Boeing B-50 Superfortress

While it looks like a direct replica of the WWII-era Boeing B-29 "Superfortress" heavy bomber, the Boeing B-50 has incorporated enough new elements to call it a brand new aircraft - although 25% These retain the original basic design. Differences between the B-50 and its predecessor include new, more efficient, more resilient wings and folding vertical stabilizers that can be accommodated in existing U.S. Air Force hangars. The B-29 is an evolution of the B-29 with a more mature battlefield role, and the B-50 is in service with the U.S.

Air Force Strategic Air Command (SAC) as a long-range, nuclear-capable, high-altitude bomber.

With its B-29 pedigree, the B-50 largely maintains the same overall shape - this includes the use of a four-engine layout. These include Pratt & Whitney R-4360-35 Wasp Major 28-cylinder radial engines, each producing 3,500 horsepower. Internally, the aircraft had a crew of 10 and was partially defended by 12 x .50 caliber heavy machine guns mounted on remote-controlled turret barbs.

There is also a 20mm cannon for heavy fire. The B-50's internal bomb load capacity reaches 20,000 pounds of conventional throwing weapons.

The

B-50 bomber, with its increased war load and operational range, provided SAC with a proven high-capacity bomber that could serve as a nuclear deterrent as the Cold War unfolded. The B-50 was eventually replaced by jet Boeing B-47 "Stratojets" in 1954, and many B-50s were later converted to TB-50H crews and pilot trainers.

Others became KB-50 aerial tankers and RB-50 photo reconnaissance platforms.

By 1965, all B-50s will be retired from U.S. service.

Specification

Basic

Year:

1948

Status:

Retired, out of service

Staff:

Production

[370 units]:

Boeing - USA

Roles

- Ground Attack

- Air refueling

- Reconnaissance (RECCE)

Dimensions

Length:

100.00 ft (30.48 m)

Width:

141.40 ft (43.1 m)

Height:

10.54m

Weight

Curb Weight:

36,560 kg

MTOW:

78,472 kg

(difference: +92,400lb)

Performance

4 x Pratt & Whitney R-4360-35 Wasp Major 28-cylinder radial engines, 3,500 hp each.

Performance

Maximum Speed:

380 mph (611 km/h; 330 knots)

Service Limit:

36,713 ft (11,190 m; 6.95 mi)

Maximum range:

4,896 miles (7,880 km; 4,255 nautical miles)

Armor

Default:

1 x 20mm gun

12 x 12.7mm machine gun

Optional:

Up to 20,000 lbs of internal ammunition consisting of conventionally thrown bombs.

Changes

XB-44 - B-29A model series with Wasp Major 28-cylinder engine; prototype model of the B-50A; originally designated as the B-29D model.

B-50A - Original production model designation; redesigned tail and reinforced wings on B-29 model.

B-50B - Increased operating weight

B-50D - Redesigned nose section; refueling boom; 222 copies made.

DB-50D - Drone Control

EB-50B - Example of a single modification of the B-50D model; modified chassis.

KB-50 - Modified vehicle tanker model; 134 examples.

KB-50J - "Upgraded" KB-50 tanker family; 2 GE J47 series turbojets under the wings.

KB-50K - Modified vehicle tanker model; based on the TB-50H trainer; 24 examples.

RB-50B - A converted model of the B-50B series photographic reconnaissance platform.

RB-50E - Dedicated photo reconnaissance conversion model for the B-50B series; 14 examples.

RB-50F - Dedicated photo reconnaissance conversion model of the RB-50B series; 14 examples; SHORAN equipment.

RB-50G - Conversion model for RB-50B series photographic reconnaissance platforms; equipped with SHORAN; equipped with ECM; 15 examples.

Modified model of TB-50A-B-50A series trainer aircraft; 11 examples.

TB-50D - B-50D series trainer modified model; 11 examples.

WB-50 Meteorological Research Platform Conversion of B-50 model series.

WB-50D Meteorological Research Platform Conversion based on B-50D series; 36 examples.

YB-50C Proposed variant featuring VDT (Variable Discharge Turbine) R-4360 series engines; never produced.

Boeing B-50 Superfortress

The History of the Boeing B-50 Superfortress