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Description
| Manufacturer: | Boeing | |
| Base model: | B-50 | |
| Designation: | KB-50 | |
| Version: | J | |
| Nickname: | Superfortress | |
| Designation System: | U.S. Air Force | |
| Designation Period: | 1924-Present | |
| Basic role: | Bomber | |
| Modified Mission: | Tanker | |
Specifications
| Length: | 105' 1" | 32.0 m | |
| Height: | 33' 7" | 10.2 m | |
| Wingspan: | 141' 2" | 43.0 m | |
| Gross Weight: | 179,498 lb | 81,405 kg | |
| Max Weight: | 179,500 lb | 81,405 kg | |
Propulsion
| No. of Engines: | 4 | ||
| Powerplant: | Pratt & Whitney R-4360 | ||
| Horsepower (each): | 5910 | ||
Performance
| Max Speed: | 445 mph | 716 km/h | 387 kt |
| Ceiling: | 40,000 ft | 12,191 m | |
Examples of this type may be found at
| Museum | City | State |
| United States Air Force Museum | Wright-Patterson | Ohio |
Recent comments by our visitors
| Howard Young Waconia, MN | I was a crew chief on the KB50 J at Langley AFB ( 1962) during the Cuba Crisis. I'll never forget the sound of those R4360's, Sounded like a Cadillac of aviation. It was a thrill to sit in the old nose compartment . Watching the fighters come up for a drink never got old. Watching a
B66 come up on a wing hose was msot exciting . Good old bird 11/17/2008 @ 18:33 [ref: 23093] |
| A. G. Leonard Springtown, TX | I was also in the 431st AFRS at Biggs AFB, 1959 to 1962 as a crew chief on tail# 050. Also had some very interesting flights. Can tell some pretty good ones about flying on KB-50's. My old plane was sitting on display in Arizona the last time I saw it in the mid 1990's. Would like to hear from other Airman from there. 09/08/2008 @ 18:00 [ref: 22636] |
| Edward WRH DeYoung Maryborough Queensland, OTH | Was in the 431st AREFS from 1960-62 as an Airborne Electronic Navigation Equipment Specialist stationed a Biggs AFB. Had many memorable flights in the ol' girls! As I recall, we never went on a mission without loosing 1 or 2 engines...sometimes 3! Still have a few B&W photo's taken of air refueling from the right rear bubble. Can anyone fill me in on the history of the KB-50J's after 1962? My interest was sparked a few days ago by my 13-yo son (I am 66 now) who is passionate on becoming an AF pilot [already has 4 flying hours in ultralight and about 500-hours on Flight Sim X heh heh]. He was amazed at some of the 'stories' I related to him about flying in those days! I have been in Australia since 1974 and now retired but still maintain an interest in flying through the local aero club. Wonder if anyone on the forum was in the 431st? 09/06/2008 @ 06:38 [ref: 22619] |
| James E. Lane Newton Falls, OH | I hit the wrong key on the plane #. It should be #905. I was at sculthorp when the KB 50 burned sitting on the flight line. They were in the proccess of preflighting it when it caught fire. No one was hurt in that one. 08/28/2008 @ 13:29 [ref: 22571] |
| James E. Lane Newton Falls,, OH | I was a mechanic on A/C 906 at Sculthorpe R.A.F. station from September 1955 till December 1957. I can remember standing on the flight line waiting for the aircraft to return in Febuary of 1957. When we knew that our air craft was one of the ones down the guys were crying and praying for our crew. My friend , Bill Fultz was the one that bailed out just before the plane hit the ground. We left England December of 1957 to return to the United States to be discharged. I have never heard from him since. If anyone knows of any of the guys from the 420th from May 1955 to December 1957 please contact me at ChiefPORet@aol.com Thank you James E. Lane 08/26/2008 @ 07:48 [ref: 22549] |
| Bill Waddle , SC | From December 1962 until sometime in 1964 I spent many cold nights guarding a couple of alert KB50s at RAF Sculthorpe. As for the base itself I feel confident it hadn't changed much at all from WW II. There was one new barrack there and the rest of the buildings were all original equipment, including the quonset huts. I do have some pictures of the base if you are interested. 07/18/2008 @ 14:58 [ref: 22172] |
| wayne long yukon, OK | I was jet engine mechanic on the KB50J from august 1960 to february 1964 at England AFB in the 622nd AREFS. IF you were there in that time period send me an Email. My address is dwlong@swbell.net. 05/22/2008 @ 16:51 [ref: 20987] |
| K. Heuser , WA | I neglected to leave you my father's name. Kenneth Heuser. 04/27/2008 @ 12:04 [ref: 20732] |
| K. Heuser , WA | My father worked on these great aircraft at Yakota AFB in Japan in 1959. Do any of you remember him? I am working on his biography. 04/27/2008 @ 12:00 [ref: 20731] |
| Robert F Stearns Wilsonville, OR | Was stationed at Yakota AFB from 59 thru 61 with the 421st Air refueling on the post dock and later in the office working for Lt. Thompson and with A1C E.W. Allen. Worked on tech order files and drew charts. Great times with a bird that needed lots of TLC. 03/19/2008 @ 11:27 [ref: 20207] |
Recent photos uploaded by our visitors
