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Aviation History
1949
1949 - 1496.PDF
262 FLIGHT IST, 1919 Seen on arrival at Scukhorpe is the B-50 '' Lucky Lady II,'' the first aircraft to fly round the world non-stop B-50s in BRITAIN Arrival of Stratobomber and Superfortress - Equipped 43rd Group TOUCHING down at Sculthorpe, Norfolk, on April 18th,Lucky Lady II, a Boeing B-50A Stratobomber of the43rd Bombardment Group, U.S. Air Force, became the first of its type to visit this country. The remainder of theGroup's aircraft, some—like the Lucky Lady—flying via Bermuda, and some by way ot Iceland, followed within afew days. Normally based at Tucson, Arizona, the 43rd Group, whichis commanded by Col. A. N. Moore, is in Britain for a 90-day training visit, in conformity with tfhe present policy of keepingat least two U.S.A.F. bomber groups on active service in this country. It replaces the 98th Group, the first unit tofly from Sculthorpe since the airfield was reopened earlier this year. It will be recalled that during Exercise Foil, B-29Superfortresses of the 98th Group took a leading part in the high-altitude day "raids" which were organized to givepractice to Fighter Command. Lucky Lady is the aircraft which, from February 26th toMarch 2nd, made the first non-stop flight round the world. Pairs of B-29S, equipped as tankers, flight-refuelled the Strato-bomber at four points on its 23,452-mile flight—the Azores, Dharan, the Philippines and Hawaii. Equipment and tech-nique evolved by the British firm of Flight Refuelling, Ltd., was used by both the B-50 and the tankers. The bomber group now at Sculthorpe consists of threesquadrons—the 63rd, commanded by Lt. Col. R. W. Stanley, the 64th *(Lt. Col. B. B. White), and the 65th (Lt. Col. W. C.Bacon). At the time of the Lucky Lady's globe-circling flighi it was announced that a squadron of tanker-equipped B-29Shad then become a standard component of each U.S.A.F. strategic bomber group. The 43rd Group is known to consistof both B-29 tankers and B-50 bombers, but the unit's exact composition may not at present be divulged. It was thefirst unit to receive B-50S. During its stay at Sculthorpe, the Group's training programme will undoubtedly include practict-in flight refuelling. As far as is known, the British equipment is still specified. Outwardly the Stratobomber is of similar appearance tothe Superfortress. Distinguishing features are the large turbo- supercharger intakes for the 3,500 h.p. Pratt and WhitneyR.4360 Wasp Majors, and the 5ft-taller fin and rudder, which folds horizontally for entry into low-clearance hangars. Aweight saving of 650 lb was made in the B-50's design by the incorporation of a lighter wing of different construction. Reversible airscrews and a steerable twin nosewheel unitare fitted, and improved maintenance facilities have been pro- vided. With a 10,000-lb bomb-load, the range of the B-50Ais 6,000 miles. Designed all-up weight is 120,000 lb. Its maximum speed '' approaches400 m.p.h.," and it cruises at about 300 m.p.h.. Col. J. C. Slesser, CO. ofthe 43rd Bombardment Wing, the parent unit of the 43rdGroup, piloted Lucky Lady on its flight to Sculthorpe. Onlytwo of its crew of 14 remain of those who completed theglobe-circling flight, although several members of the originalcrew now fly in other aircraft of the Group. Training flights bvthe 43rd Group—for which it must carry personnel and equip-ment sufficient for 30 days of un- supported operation—have takefcits members to almost every rt of the world. A Stratobomber is refuelled by a B-29 tanker (top). D 12
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