Quote:
Originally Posted by tcar
The B-29 needed more powerful engines and other mods to carry larger A-bombs so a new model was needed.
They felt that the government would not allot money for a large modifications like that, so they called it a B-50... and presto, an "all new bomber". They got the money for the B-50.
The KB-50 was a later tanker version with a couple added turbojets so it could be fast enough to service jets. I think it could fuel 3 planes at once.
Some of the earlier piston engined tankers actually had to fly 'downhill' (descend) to be able to fuel jets; it was the only way they could get up enough speed; the jets could only fly so slow without stalling.
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In addition, the Boeing 377 airliner and C/KC-97 frieghter/tanker was outgrowth of the original B-29/B-50.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Boeing_C-97_Stratofreighter
