Boeing RB-50E Superfortress

Last revised June 17, 2000


Fourteen RB-50Bs were modified at Wichita for special photographic missions under the designation RB-50E. Their serials were as follows: 

47-118/127	Boeing B-50B-40-BO Superfortress
			c/n 15802/15811
			119,120,122/127 modified as RB-50E for special
			photographic missions.
47-128/137	Boeing B-50B-45-BO Superfortress
			c/n 15812/15821
			128/132, 135 modified as RB-50E for special
			photographic missions.

The crew was normally ten. According to the mission being flown, the left-side gunner could serve as a weather observer or as an inflight refuelling operator. The full armament of five electrically- operated turrets was retained.

Sources:


  1. American Combat Planes, Third Enlarged Edition, Ray Wagner, Doubleday, 1982.

  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.