This Week in History: B-50 First Flight
On June 25, 1947, the B-50 flew for the first time. The Boeing B-50 evolved from the B-29D, but because it included so many improvements, it was redesignated the B-50. Some B-50s were converted to KB-50 aerial tankers, enhanced by the addition of two jet engines, so at 400 mph, they could refuel jet aircraft. Some served until 1965 and were in action during the Vietnam conflict as refueling tankers. In the mid-1950s, the 4925th Test Group (Atomic) of the Air Force Special Weapons Center at Kirtland AFB flew the B-50. (Courtesy photo)