Boeing B-54

B-54
Mockup of the RB-54A
Role Strategic bomber
National origin United States
Manufacturer Boeing
Status Canceled
Primary user United States Air Force (intended)
Number built 0
Developed from B-50 Superfortress

The Boeing B-54 was an American strategic bomber designed by Boeing for use by the United States Air Force. Derived from the YB-50C Superfortress, construction of the prototype was canceled before completion, and the aircraft was never flown.

Design and development

Begun in 1947, the B-54 was the planned production version of the YB-50C prototype. The standard Pratt & Whitney R-4360 engines of the normal B-50 bomber were replaced with R-4360-51 Variable Discharge Turbine (VDT) engines, the fuselage was lengthened by over 10 feet (3.0 m) and the wingspan was extended by 20 feet (6.1 m), which required the installation of outrigger landing gear in the first and fourth engine nacelles. Large fuel tanks under the outboard wing section were required to carry an additional 3,000 US gallons (11,000 l; 2,500 imp gal) of fuel to reach the intended 9,300 miles (15,000 km) range; 14 .50-caliber machine guns comprised the specified defensive armament.[1]

On May 29, 1948,[1] contracts were placed by the Air Force for 21 B-54A bombers and 52 RB-54A reconnaissance aircraft;[2][3][N 1] However, on April 18, 1949, the B-54 project was cancelled due to the development of better-performing jet aircraft; construction of the prototype B-54A had started at Seattle but was never completed.[1] The cancellation was lambasted by the Seattle press, who claimed that it was a political decision instead of a military one.[6]

Variants

B-54A
Production version of the YB-50C
RB-54A
Reconnaissance version

Specifications

Data from [2]

General characteristics

  • Crew: 10
  • Length: 111 ft (34 m)
  • Wingspan: 161 ft (49 m)
  • Height: 32 ft 8 in (9.96 m)
  • Gross weight: 230,000 lb (104,326 kg)
  • Powerplant: 4 × Pratt & Whitney R-4360-51 radial piston engines with variable discharge turbines, 4,500 hp (3,400 kW) each

Performance

  • Maximum speed: 430 mph (692 km/h; 374 kn)
  • Cruise speed: 305 mph (491 km/h; 265 kn)
  • Range: 9,000 mi (7,821 nmi; 14,484 km)
  • Service ceiling: 40,000 ft (12,000 m) service

Armament

  • Guns: 14 x .50-caliber machine guns in turrets
  • Bombs: 36,000 pounds (16,000 kg)

See also

Related development

Aircraft of comparable role, configuration and era

Related lists

References

Notes

  1. ↑ While the numbers given in the article are based on the official US Air Force serial number assignments, sources vary on how many were ordered. Seven B-54As and 23 RB-54As is one number given;[1] other sources specify 14 B-54As and 29 RB-54As.[4][5]

Citations

  1. 1 2 3 4 Jones 1974, p. 183.
  2. 1 2 NMUSAF 2009
  3. ↑ Redding and Yenne 1989, p.117.
  4. ↑ Swanborough and Bowers 1989, p. 124.
  5. ↑ Wagner 1968, p. 139.
  6. ↑ Olson 2003, p.184.

Bibliography

  • Jones, Lloyd S (1974) [1962], U.S. Bombers, B-1 1928 to B-1 1980s (2nd ed.), Fallbrook, CA: Aero Publishers, ISBN 0-8168-9126-5 .
  • "Factsheets: Boeing B-54A". National Museum of the United States Air Force. July 7, 2009. Archived from the original on June 16, 2012. Retrieved 2017-07-09.
  • Olson, James C. (2003). Stuart Symington: A Life. Columbia, MO: University of Missouri Press. ISBN 978-0-82621503-1.
  • Redding, Robert; Yenne, Bill (1989). Boeing: Planemaker to the World. New York: Crescent Books. ISBN 978-0-51742270-0.
  • Swanborough, F. G. and Peter M. Bowers. United States Military Aircraft since 1909. Washington, DC: Smithsonian Institution Press, 1989. ISBN 978-0-87474880-2.
  • Wagner, Ray (1968). American Combat Planes. New York: Doubleday. ISBN 978-0-38504134-8.
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