2007-10-09 00:56:58 · 9 answers · asked by Chris S 2 in Cars & Transportation ➔ Aircraft
No flying examples exist today. Some examples are in museums.
The B-50 was an improved version of the B-29. Three version existed the RB-50 recon version, K-50 tanker and B-50 bomber. It flew until 1965 when the KB-50 aerial tanker version was grounded due to an inherant corrison problem. The B-50 was used as a nuclear strategic bomber until 1955.
B-50s on Display:
B-50A-5BO 46-10, " Lucky Lady II ", Planes Of Fame, Chino, California (D)
B-50D-115BO 49-310, ex-WB-50D, " 48-114 ", USAFM, Wright-Patterson AFB, Dayton, Ohio (D)
B-50D-120BO 49-351, ex-WB-50D, " Flight Of The Phoenix ", former Castle AFB, Atwater, California (D)
B-50D-125BO 49-372, ex-KB-50J, " 372 ", Pima Air Museum, Tucson, Arizona (D)
B-50D-125BO 49-389, ex KB-50J," 48-014 ", MacDill AFB, Tampa, Florida (D)
2007-10-09 01:12:56 · answer #1 · answered by ? 3 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Yes the B-29 "Fifi" is still flying and I believe an additional B-29 called "Doc" is under restoration. There is a great documentary floating around of the "Key Bird", a B-29 which landed and was preserved in Greenland. The subsequent restoration effort was huge and eventually an APU fire destroyed the whole aircraft.
As far as I know, there are no Russian B-29's (Tupolev TU-4's) flying either. Perhaps some that the Chinese used are still flying but who knows, most likely not since private enterprise doesn't work the same over there.
2007-10-09 12:27:11 · answer #2 · answered by Mike Tyson 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The way you ask the question makes me wonder if you are trying to find out if there are any "superfortresses" still airworthy. If so, the answer is yes. "FiFi" is an example of the B-29 "superfortress" that is still airworthy.
2007-10-09 12:20:42 · answer #3 · answered by Otto 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
As of 2002, one B-29 had been saved and is, presumably undergoing restoration if the owner has the cash to cover it.
B-29/B-50 variants that are possessed by museums are probably technically airworthy, but you probably wouldn't want to fly one without first making a massive overhaul of the entire airframe. Think along the lines of days on end spent just getting to and checking spark plugs.
I've got a link, but if memory serves, the National Air & Space Museum in Washington DC has the best preserved B-29.
Oddly enough, the first half dozen answers I pulled up while googling around brought up your question.
Fly the Friendly Skies!
JT
2007-10-09 09:05:16 · answer #4 · answered by jettech 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
There are no flying examples left. The B-29 which the B-50 was made out of has only a couple examples left. Corrosion killed the Superfortresses
2007-10-09 08:06:13 · answer #5 · answered by John Paul 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
No. The last operational B-50, actually a KB-50 tanker, was grounded in 1966. The airframes were subject to serious corrosion problems, and the engines were a type that is very difficult to maintain.
There are a number on display, but none will ever fly again. Sorry.
2007-10-09 09:16:45 · answer #6 · answered by aviophage 7 · 1⤊ 1⤋
There was an episode of Boneyard/s on the History Channel last year. The government has miles of land in an area of the U.S. which has many air vehicles that are no longer used prepped for storage so that the components and wires don't disintegrate that way they can be used for parts/scrap metal for new air vehicles. It was really cool to see the process on tv. Nevertheless, the answer to your question would MOST LIKELY BE YES. Google search Boneyard. It's the only word I can remember from watching that 'show'.
2007-10-09 08:17:41 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 2⤋
Yes there is.
2007-10-09 09:05:21 · answer #8 · answered by shufly 4 · 0⤊ 3⤋
YES
2007-10-09 08:04:50 · answer #9 · answered by mmdjaajl 6 · 0⤊ 5⤋