Boeing B-50 Superfortress

Strategic Bomber

Boeing WB-50D Superfortress USAF 49-0310 National Museum of the US Air Force © Karsten Palt
Photo ©: Karsten Palt
The Boeing B-50 Superfortress (Model 345-2) is a four-engine long-range heavy bomber aircraft produced by the US-American manufacturer Boeing Company.
Although the B-50 is a direct development of the B-29 Superfortress and initially named B-29D it was re-designated B-50 due to the huge amount of improvements. The changes include much more powerful engines in new nacelles. 132 B-50s were later converted to KB-50 aerial tankers. 112 of the KB-50 tankers were modified to the KB-50J version by addition of two 5200 lbf (23 kN) General Electric J47 jet engines, so they could fly fast enough to refuel jet aircraft. Some of the tankers served until 1965 with the US Air Force and were in action during the Vietnam conflict. In 1949 a B-50A named the Lucky Lady II made the first nonstop flight around the world.
Crew12
Propulsion4 Radial Engines
Engine ModelPratt & Whitney R-4360-35 Wasp Major
Engine Power (each)2610 kW3500 hp
max. Cruise Speed378 km/h204 kts
  235 mph
Speed620 km/h335 kts
  386 mph
Service Ceiling11.278 m37.000 ft
Range7.482 km4.040 NM
4.649 mi.
Empty Weight36.764 kg81.050 lbs
max. Takeoff Weight76.389 kg168.409 lbs
Wing Span43,05 m141 ft 3 in
Wing Area161,6 m²1739 ft²
Length30,18 m99 ft 0 in
Height9,96 m32 ft 8 in
First Flight25.06.1947
Production Statusout of production
Production Range1947-1953
Total Production371
Developed fromBoeing B-29 Superfortress
Data for (Version)Boeing B-50A

[Photo-ID: 10921] © Karsten Palt 2015-06-03
Boeing KB-50J Superfortress, United States Air Force (USAF), 49-0372, c/n 16148,© Karsten Palt, 2015Boeing
KB-50J Superfortress
United States Air Force (USAF)
Reg.: 49-0372
c/n: 16148
 
Pima Air and Space Museum [Tucson, AZ]
[Photo-ID: 10922] © Karsten Palt 2015-06-03
Boeing KB-50J Superfortress, United States Air Force (USAF), 49-0372, c/n 16148,© Karsten Palt, 2015Boeing
KB-50J Superfortress
United States Air Force (USAF)
Reg.: 49-0372
c/n: 16148
 
Pima Air and Space Museum [Tucson, AZ]
[Photo-ID: 5520] © Karsten Palt 2012-01-11
Boeing WB-50D Superfortress, United States Air Force (USAF), 49-0310, c/n 16086,© Karsten Palt, 2012Boeing
WB-50D Superfortress
United States Air Force (USAF)
Reg.: 49-0310
c/n: 16086
 
National Museum of the United States Air Force [Dayton, Ohio / USA (Wright-Patterson AFB)]
[Photo-ID: 5519] © Karsten Palt 2012-01-11
Boeing WB-50D Superfortress, United States Air Force (USAF), 49-0310, c/n 16086,© Karsten Palt, 2012Boeing
WB-50D Superfortress
United States Air Force (USAF)
Reg.: 49-0310
c/n: 16086
 
National Museum of the United States Air Force [Dayton, Ohio / USA (Wright-Patterson AFB)]
[Photo-ID: 13206] © Karsten Palt 2016-10-10
Boeing WB-50D Superfortress, United States Air Force (USAF), 49-0351, c/n 13127,© Karsten Palt, 2016Boeing
WB-50D Superfortress
United States Air Force (USAF)
Reg.: 49-0351
c/n: 13127
 
Castle Air Museum [Atwater, CA]