Boeing KB-50K Superfortress

Last revised June 17, 2000


Following the withdrawal of the 24 TB-50H trainers from service, they were modified as aerial tankers. Because of structural and equipment differences from earlier models, they were known as KB-50K, but were otherwise identical to the KB-50Js.

All modifications were carried out by the Hayes Aircraft Corporations. The first KB-50K modification was produced in December of 1957 and was accepted by the Air Force in January 1958. Like the KB-50J, the KB-50Ks were assigned to the Tactical Air Command as fighter tanker aircraft. They were all phased out in the early 1960s.

Sources:


  1. American Combat Planes, Third Enlarged Edition, Ray Wagner, Doubleday, 1982.
    1. United States Military Aircraft Since 1909, Gordon Swanborough and Peter M. Bowers, Smithsonian, 1989.

    2. Post World War II Bombers, Marcelle Size Knaack, Office of Air Force History, 1988.

    3. Boeing Aircraft Since 1916, Peter M. Bowers, Naval Institute Press, 1989.

    4. United States Military Aircraft Since 1909, Gordon Swanborough and Peter M. Bowers, Smithsonian, 1989.