Boeing B-54

Infobox Aircraft
name = Boeing B-54
type = Strategic bomber
manufacturer = Boeing


caption =
designer =
first flight = n/a
introduced =
retired =
status = Canceled 18 April 1949
primary user = United States Air Forceintended
more users =
produced =
number built = 0
unit cost =
developed from = B-50 Superfortress
variants with their own articles =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 feet and the wingspan was extended by 20 feet, which required the installation of outrigger landing gear in the number 1 and four engine nacelles. Large fuel tanks under the outboard wing section were required to carry an additional 3,000 gallons of fuel to reach the intended 9,300 mile 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

ee also

aircontent

related=
* B-50 Superfortress

lists=
* List of bomber aircraft
* List of military aircraft of the United States

References

Notes

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.