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, contracts were placed by the Air Force for 14 B-54A bombers and 29 RB-54A reconnaissance aircraft.[2][3][4][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.[5]
Jones, Lloyd S (1974) [1962], U.S. Bombers, B-1 1928 to B-1 1980s (2nd ed.), Fallbrook, CA: Aero Publishers, ISBN0-8168-9126-5.
. 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. ISBN978-0-82621503-1.
Redding, Robert; Yenne, Bill (1989). Boeing: Planemaker to the World. New York: Crescent Books. ISBN978-0-51742270-0.
Swanborough, F. G. and Peter M. Bowers. United States Military Aircraft since 1909. Washington, DC: Smithsonian Institution Press, 1989. ISBN978-0-87474880-2.
Wagner, Ray (1968). American Combat Planes. New York: Doubleday. ISBN978-0-38504134-8.
April 10, 2024
boeing, american, strategic, bomber, designed, boeing, united, states, force, derived, from, superfortress, construction, prototype, canceled, before, completion, aircraft, never, flown, 54mockup, 54role, strategic, bombernational, origin, united, statesmanufa. 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 B 54Mockup of the B 54Role Strategic bomberNational origin United StatesManufacturer BoeingStatus CanceledPrimary user United States Air Force intended Number built 0Developed from B 50 Superfortress Contents 1 Design and development 2 Variants 3 Specifications 4 See also 5 References 5 1 Notes 5 2 Citations 5 3 BibliographyDesign and development editBegun in 1947 the B 54 was the planned production version of the YB 50C prototype The standard Pratt amp 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 contracts were placed by the Air Force for 14 B 54A bombers and 29 RB 54A reconnaissance aircraft 2 3 4 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 5 Variants editB 54A Intended production version of the YB 50C RB 54A Reconnaissance versionSpecifications editData from 2 General characteristicsCrew 10 Length 111 ft 34 m Wingspan 161 ft 0 in 49 08 m Height 32 ft 8 in 9 96 m Gross weight 230 000 lb 104 326 kg Powerplant 4 Pratt amp Whitney R 4360 51 radial piston Turbo compound engine 4 500 hp 3 400 kW eachPerformance Maximum speed 430 mph 690 km h 370 kn Cruise speed 305 mph 491 km h 265 kn Range 9 000 mi 14 000 km 7 800 nmi Ferry range 10 562 mi 16 998 km 9 178 nmi Service ceiling 40 000 ft 12 000 m serviceArmament Guns 14 50 caliber machine guns in turrets Bombs 36 000 pounds 16 000 kg See also editRelated development Boeing B 29 Superfortress Boeing XB 39 Superfortress Boeing B 50 SuperfortressAircraft of comparable role configuration and era Convair B 36 Tupolev Tu 85Related lists List of bomber aircraft List of military aircraft of the United StatesReferences editNotes edit Citations edit a b c Jones 1974 p 183 a b NMUSAF 2009 Redding and Yenne 1989 p 117 Andrade John 1979 U S Military Aircraft Designations and Serials since 1909 Midland Counties Publications ISBN 0 904597 22 9 Olson 2003 p 184 Bibliography edit 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 Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Boeing B 54 amp oldid 1217121039, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
