Boeing B-54

Boeing B-54

Status: Cancelled
Primary user: United States Air Force
Number built: 0
Developed from: B-50 Superfortress

The Boeing B-54 was the planned production version of the YB-50C. The standard Pratt & Whitney R-4360 engines of the normal B-50 had been replaced with R-4360-51 Variable Discharge Turbine (VDT) engines, the fuselage was lengthened by over 10 ft (3 m) and the wingspan was extended by 20 ft (6 m), which required the installation of outrigger landing gear in the numbers one and four engine nacelles. Large fuel tanks under the outboard wing section were required to carry an additional 3,000 gal (11,355 l) of fuel to reach the intended 9,300 mi (14,967 km) range.

The project was cancelled due to the development of better-performing jet aircraft. Construction of the prototype B-54A was started at Seattle but never completed. The contract was cancelled on 18 April 1949.

Variants

B-54A
Production version of the YB-50C, 7 ordered on 29 May 1948 - not built
RB-54A
Reconnaissance version, 23 ordered ordered on 29 May 1948 - not built

Related development

B-50 Superfortress

Bibliography

Jones, Lloyd S. U.S. Bombers, B-1 1928 to B-1 1980s. Fallbrook, CA: Aero Publishers, 1962, second edition 1974. ISBN 0-8168-9126-5.

Boeing B-54 Pictures

Living Warbirds: The best warbirds DVD series.

Source: WikiPedia