Overshadowed by both its B-29 predecessor 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.
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.
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.
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.
B-50 reading:
Magazine Articles and Photos:
Photo: “Boeing KB-50J Refuels McDonnell F-101s” Aviation Week August 12, 1957 front cover
Aviation Week January 27, 1958 front cover Overhead view of a KB-50 simultaneously refueling an F-100, RF-101, and B-66
Photo: burnt-out B-50 90326 Air Classics February 1981 p.81
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 KC-97 and 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
B-50 X-2 mothership:
Review: Testbeds, Motherships and Parasites: Astonishing Aircraft From the Golden Age of Flight Test