Boeing B-50 Superfortress
United States (1948)
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 Β©www.MilitaryFactory.com Boeing B-50 Superfortress
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.
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.
Picture of the Boeing B-50 Superfortress 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.
Boeing B-50D Superfortress Specifications
United States
Year: 1948
Status: Retired, Out-of-Service
Type: Heavy Bomber / Long-Range Reconnaissance Platform
Manufacturer(s): Boeing Company - USA
Production: 370
Supported Mission Types
Air-to-Air
Interception
Unmanned
Ground Attack
Close-Air Support
Training
Anti-Submarine
Anti-Ship
Airborne Early Warning
MEDEVAC
Electronic Warfare
Maritime/Navy
Aerial Tanker
Utility/Transport
Passenger Industry
VIP Travel
Business Travel
Search/Rescue
Recon/Scouting
Special Forces
X-Plane/Development
Crew: 10
Length: 100.00 ft (30.48 m)
Width: 141.40 ft (43.10 m)
Height: 34.58 ft (10.54 m)
Empty Weight: 80,601 lb (36,560 kg)
MTOW: 173,001 lb (78,472 kg)
Installed Power
4 x Pratt & Whitney R-4360-35 Wasp Major 28-cylinder radial engines developing 3,500 horsepower each.
Standard Day Performance
Maximum Speed: 380 mph (611 kph; 330 kts)
Maximum Range: 4,896 mi (7,880 km; 4,255 nm)
Service Ceiling: 36,713 ft (11,190 m; 6.95 mi)
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.
Operators List
United States
Series Model Variants
β’ 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.
β’ B-50A Initial Production Model Designation; redesigned tail and strengthened wings over B-29 models.
β’ B-50B Increased Operating Weight
β’ B-50D Redesigned Nose Section; refueling boom; 222 examples produced.
β’ DB-50D Drone Controller
β’ EB-50B Single Conversion Example of B-50D model; redesigned undercarriage.
β’ KB-50 Inflight Refueling Tanker Conversion Model; 134 examples.
β’ KB-50J Improved KB-50 Tanker Series; fitted with 2 x General Electric GE J47 series turbojets underwing.
β’ KB-50K Inflight Refueling Tanker Conversion Model; based on the TB-50H trainer; 24 examples.
β’ RB-50B Photographic Reconnaissance Platform Conversion Models from B-50B series.
β’ RB-50E Specialized Photo-Reconnaissance Conversion Model from B-50B series; 14 examples.
β’ RB-50F Specialized Photo-Reconnaissance Conversion Model from RB-50B series; 14 examples; SHORAN equipped.
β’ RB-50G Photographic Reconnaissance Platform Conversion Models from RB-50B series; SHORAN equipped; ECM equipped; 15 examples.
β’ TB-50A Trainer Conversion Model of B-50A series; 11 examples.
β’ TB-50D Trainer Conversion Model of B-50D series; 11 examples.
β’ WB-50 Meteorological Research Platform Conversion of B-50 model series.
β’ WB-50D Meteorological Research Platform Conversion based on B-50D series; 36 examples.
β’ YB-50C Proposed variant featuring VDT (Variable Discharge Turbine) R-4360 series engines; never produced.
β’ B-54A Proposed variant of the YB-50C model; never produced.
β’ RB-54A Proposed variant of the YB-50C model; never produced.
Supported Weapon Systems
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