Specifications
Year: 1948
Status: Retired, Out-of-Service
Manufacturer(s): Boeing Company - USA
Production: 370
Capabilities: Ground Attack; Aerial Refueling; Reconnaissance (RECCE);
Status: Retired, Out-of-Service
Manufacturer(s): Boeing Company - USA
Production: 370
Capabilities: Ground Attack; Aerial Refueling; Reconnaissance (RECCE);
Crew: 10
Length: 100.00 ft (30.48 m)
Width: 141.40 ft (43.1 m)
Height: 34.58 ft (10.54 m)
Weight (Empty): 80,601 lb (36,560 kg)
Weight (MTOW): 173,001 lb (78,472 kg)
Length: 100.00 ft (30.48 m)
Width: 141.40 ft (43.1 m)
Height: 34.58 ft (10.54 m)
Weight (Empty): 80,601 lb (36,560 kg)
Weight (MTOW): 173,001 lb (78,472 kg)
Power: 4 x Pratt & Whitney R-4360-35 Wasp Major 28-cylinder radial engines developing 3,500 horsepower each.
Speed: 380 mph (611 kph; 330 kts)
Ceiling: 36,713 feet (11,190 m; 6.95 miles)
Range: 4,896 miles (7,880 km; 4,255 nm)
Ceiling: 36,713 feet (11,190 m; 6.95 miles)
Range: 4,896 miles (7,880 km; 4,255 nm)
Operators: United States
With its B-29 pedigree, the B-50 largely retained the same overall form - this included use of a four engine arrangement. These were made up of Pratt & Whitney R-4360-35 "Wasp Major" 28-cylinder radials outputting at 3,500 horsepower each. Internally, the aircraft housed ten crewmen and was locally-defense by 12 x 0.50 caliber heavy machine guns fitted to remotely-controlled turret barbettes. There was also a sole 20mm cannon for heavy-caliber firepower. The B-50's internally bombload capability reached 20,000 pounds of conventional drop ordnance.
With far greater warloads and operational range, the B-50 bomber provided the SAC with a proven, highly-capable bomber that could double as a nuclear deterrent in the face of the expanding Cold War. B-50's would eventually be replaced by jet-powered Boeing B-47 "Stratojets" by 1954 and many B-50s would go on to be modified as TB-50H crew and pilot trainers. Others became KB-50 aerial refueling tanker aircraft and RB-50 photographic reconnaissance platforms.
All B-50's would be retired from American service by 1965.
All B-50's would be retired from American service by 1965.
Armament
STANDARD:
1 x 20mm cannon
12 x 12.7mm machine guns
OPTIONAL:
Up to 20,000 lb of internally-held ordnance made up of conventional drop bombs.
Variants / Models
• XB-44 – B-29A Model Series fitted with Wasp Major 28-cylinder engines; prototype model for B-50A; initially designated as the B-29D model.
• B-50A – Initial Production Model Designation; redesigned tail and strengthened wings over B-29 models.
• B-50B – Increased Operating Weight
• B-50D – Redesigned Nose Section; refueling boom; 222 examples produced.
• DB-50D – Drone Controller
• EB-50B – Single Conversion Example of B-50D model; redesigned undercarriage.
• KB-50 – Inflight Refueling Tanker Conversion Model; 134 examples.
• KB-50J – “Improved” KB-50 Tanker Series; fitted with 2 x General Electric GE J47 series turbojets underwing.
• KB-50K – Inflight Refueling Tanker Conversion Model; based on the TB-50H trainer; 24 examples.
• RB-50B – Photographic Reconnaissance Platform Conversion Models from B-50B series.
• RB-50E – Specialized Photo-Reconnaissance Conversion Model from B-50B series; 14 examples.
• RB-50F – Specialized Photo-Reconnaissance Conversion Model from RB-50B series; 14 examples; SHORAN equipped.
• RB-50G – Photographic Reconnaissance Platform Conversion Models from RB-50B series; SHORAN equipped; ECM equipped; 15 examples.
• TB-50A – Trainer Conversion Model of B-50A series; 11 examples.
• TB-50D – Trainer Conversion Model of B-50D series; 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.
• B-54A – Proposed variant of the YB-50C model; never produced.
• RB-54A – Proposed variant of the YB-50C model; never produced.
