Overview
The Boeing B-50 series was a direct development of the B-29 Superfortress of World War 2 fame - though seventy-five percent a new aircraft.
The Boeing B-50 series was a direct development of the B-29 Superfortress of World War 2 fame - though seventy-five percent a new aircraft.
YEAR: 1948
STATUS: Retired, Out-of-Service
MANUFACTURER(S): Boeing Company - USA
PRODUCTION: 370
OPERATORS: United States
Technical Specifications
Unless otherwise noted the presented statistics below pertain to the Boeing B-50D Superfortress model. Common measurements, and their respective conversions, are shown when possible.
Unless otherwise noted the presented statistics below pertain to the Boeing B-50D Superfortress model. Common measurements, and their respective conversions, are shown when possible.
CREW: 10
POWER: 4 x Pratt & Whitney R-4360-35 Wasp Major 28-cylinder radial engines developing 3,500 horsepower each.
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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.
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.
• 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.
History
Detailing the development and operational history of the Boeing B-50 Superfortress Heavy Bomber / Long-Range Reconnaissance Platform. Entry last updated on 10/23/2017. Authored by Staff Writer. Content ©www.MilitaryFactory.com.
Detailing the development and operational history of the Boeing B-50 Superfortress Heavy Bomber / Long-Range Reconnaissance Platform. Entry last updated on 10/23/2017. Authored by Staff Writer. Content ©www.MilitaryFactory.com.
Though looking every bit the direct copy of the World War 2-era Boeing B-29 "Superfortress" heavy bomber, the Boeing B-50 incorporated enough new elements to deem it an all-new aircraft - retaining just 25 percent of the original's base design. Changes that distinguished the B-50 from its predecessor included an all-new, more efficient and resilient wing and fold-down vertical tail surfaces for housing in existing USAF hangars. The B-50 was a further development of the B-29 with a more evolved over-battlefield role and was taken into service by the United State Air Force's Strategic Air Command (SAC) as a high-altitude, long-range nuclear-capable bomber.
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 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.
Boeing B-50 Superfortress (Cont'd)
Heavy Bomber / Long-Range Reconnaissance Platform
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.
Media
Our Data Modules allow for quick visual reference when comparing a single entry against contemporary designs. Areas covered include general ratings, speed assessments, and relative ranges based on distances between major cities.
Relative Maximum Speed
Hi: 400mph
Lo: 200mph
This entry's maximum listed speed (380mph).
Graph average of 300 miles-per-hour.
City-to-City Ranges
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Graph showcases the Boeing B-50D Superfortress's operational range (on internal fuel) when compared to distances between major cities.
Aviation Era
Useful in showcasing the era cross-over of particular aircraft/aerospace designs.
Unit Production (370)
Comm. Market HI*: 44,000 units
Military Market HI**: 36,183 units
370
370
Altitude Visualization
