Fifteen RB-50Bs were modified at Boeing-Wichita with SHORAN navigation radar. They were designated RB-50G. They differed from the RB-50F in having additional radar equipment and in having a B-50D type nose.
Electronic reconnaissance was the primary mission of the RB-50G. It entered SAC service between June and October 1951. A total of 15 such conversions were made. The RB-50G differed significantly from the RB-50E and F, so much so in fact that it was assigned a different manufacturer's number of Model 345-30-025 when the conversions were completed. The RB-50G featured six electronic countermeasures stations, which required a number of internal structural changes. Some external modification had to be made to accommodate the radomes and antennae of the aircraft's new radar equipment. During the reconfiguration process, the 16-crew RB-50G was fitted with the improved nose of the B-50D, which had a large molded plastic cone and an optically-flat bomb-aiming window in the lower portion instead of the seven-piece B-29 unit used throughout the B-50B production run. In contrast to the RB-50F, the RG-50G could use its defensive armament while operating its new electronic equipment.
The normal crew complement was 16--pilot, copilot, navigator, engineer, nose gunner, top gunner left side gunner, right side gunner/radio operator, radar operator, tail gunner, plus six electronic countermeasures operators. Ten cameras could be carried (4 K-38s with 36-inch lens, or 2 K-38s with 24-inch lens; 1 L-22A or K-17; 1 A-6 motion picture camera; 3 K-17cs; 1 T-11 with 6-inch lens).
Serials of RB-50G:
47-128/137 Boeing B-50B-45-BO Superfortress
c/n 15812/15821
All later modified to RB-50B configuration.
133 and 136 modified as RB-50G with additional
radar and B-50D type nose.
47-138/147 Boeing B-50B-50-BO Superfortress
c/n 15822/15831
All later modified to RB-50B configuration.
143, 145, 147 modified as RB-50G with additional
radar and B-50D type nose.
47-148/157 Boeing B-50B-55-BO Superfortress
c/n 15832/15841
All later modified to RB-50B configuration.
148/154, 156,157 modified as RB-50G with
additional radar and B-50D type nose.
47-158/162 Boeing B-50B-60-BO Superfortress
c/n 15842/15846
All later modified to RB-50B configuration.
161 modified as RB-50G with additional
radar and B-50D type nose.
Specification of Boeing RB-50G Superfortress:
Engines: Four Pratt & Whitney R-4360-35 Wasp Major 28-cylinder, four-row air cooled radials with General Electric CH-7-B1 turbosuperchargers. Performance: Maximum speed 397 mph at 30,000 feet, 389 mph at 25,000 feet. Cruising speed 235 mph. Stalling speed 136 mph. Service ceiling 37,150 feet. Initial climb rate 1680 feet per minute. Combat radius 2440 miles. Takeoff ground run 6150 feet at sea level. Takeoff over 50-feet obstacle 7620 feet at sea level. Dimensions: Wingspan 141 feet 3 inches, length 99 feet 0 inches, height 32 feet 8 inches, wing area 1720 square feet. Weights: 88,438 pounds empty, 107,500 pounds combat, 173,000 pounds maximum takeoff. Armament: Four 0.50-inch machine guns in forward dorsal turret, two 0.50-inch machine guns in rear dorsal turret, two 0.50-inch machine guns in forward ventral turret, two 0.50-inch machine guns in rear ventral turret, two 0.50-inch machine guns and one 20-mm cannon in tail turret.
Sources:
-
American Combat Planes, Third Enlarged Edition, Ray Wagner, Doubleday,
1982.
-
Post World War II Bombers, Marcelle Size Knaack, Office of Air Force
History, 1988.
-
Boeing Aircraft Since 1916, Peter M. Bowers, Naval Institute Press,
1989.
- United States Military Aircraft Since 1909, Gordon Swanborough and Peter M. Bowers, Smithsonian, 1989.
