{"id":184,"date":"2026-03-28T14:48:41","date_gmt":"2026-03-28T18:48:41","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/aviation.christophermreed.net\/?page_id=184"},"modified":"2026-03-28T14:48:41","modified_gmt":"2026-03-28T18:48:41","slug":"b-50-superfortress-walk-around","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/christophermreed.net\/aviation\/b-50-superfortress-walk-around\/","title":{"rendered":"B-50 Superfortress walk around"},"content":{"rendered":"

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Overshadowed by both its B-29 predecessor<\/a> as well as the jet bombers that came later, the B-50 still played an important role during the early days of Strategic Air Command, giving SAC its first really numerous nuclear-capable aircraft.<\/p>\n

Given the B-29’s engine problems, it was no surprise that alternative powerplants were looked at from early on, with this effort leading to the XB-44, which was a Superfortress reengined with Pratt & Whitney R-4360 Wasp Majors. The B-29D production version was to have an airframe of lighter 75ST alloy, as well as a taller vertical tail. Before any could be built, V-J Day resulted in the cancellation of hundreds of Superfortresses; the design was accordingly recast as the B-50 in a political move to preserve the program as a “new” type while B-29 production was being halted.<\/p>\n

The last B-50s were released from SAC service in 1955 as increasing numbers of B-47s were arriving; as the airframes were relatively “young” many would serve in secondary roles into the 1960s. By far the most important of these were TAC’s KB-50s, rebuilt by Hayes as triple-point drogue tankers, with underwing J47 jet booster pods later fitted.<\/p>\n

The NMUSAF’s WB-50D was the last of its kind to remain in service, testing sensors for use in Southeast Asia and operating from Wright-Patterson AFB until 1968.<\/p>\n

\"WB-50D
Side walk-around reference photograph capturing the nose profile, forward “U.S. AIR FORCE” livery, ventral radome, and massive propeller arc on a preserved Boeing WB-50D Superfortress at the National Museum of the U.S. Air Force.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"B-50
Forward-quarter detail view of the inboard Pratt & Whitney R-4360 Wasp Major engine nacelle on a Boeing WB-50D, showing the four-blade Curtiss Electric propeller, lower turbosupercharger chin scoops, and wing root junction.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

\"B-50<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\"B-50
Empennage detail of a Boeing WB-50D Superfortress (s\/n 49-0310), showing the tall vertical stabilizer, rudder, horizontal tailplane, and distinct Air Weather Service “WEATHER” tail band.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

B-50 reading:<\/h2>\n

Magazine Articles and Photos:<\/h3>\n

 <\/p>\n

Photo: “Boeing KB-50J Refuels McDonnell F-101s” Aviation Week August 12, 1957 front cover<\/p>\n

Aviation Week January 27, 1958 front cover Overhead view of a KB-50 simultaneously refueling an F-100, RF-101, and B-66<\/p>\n

Photo: burnt-out B-50 90326 Air Classics February 1981 p.81<\/p>\n

Frank Cuden, Geoff Has, Jack Morris “B-50 Superfortress Part 1: Cold War Stopgap and Maid of All Work” Major article, including kitbashing a 1\/144 B-50 using \u00a0KC-97 \u00a0and B-29 kits, color walk around photos, and numerous color profiles of special purpose variants, including KB-50s, TB-50A\/D\/Hs, RB-50s, WB-50s and motherships. Aerospace Modeler Winter 2007<\/p>\n

B-50 X-2 mothership:<\/strong><\/p>\n

Review: Testbeds, Motherships and Parasites: Astonishing Aircraft From the Golden Age of Flight Test<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n