B-50 Lucky Lady II

[APG85]

Anyone know what happened to the original wings for this aircraft. From what I understand, only the fuselage is on display in Ontario, Calf. I heard at one time there was some talk of getting a replacement set of wings (from where?).

[TonyA]

Anyone know what happened to the original wings for this aircraft. From what I understand, only the fuselage is on display in Ontario, Calf. I heard at one time there was some talk of getting a replacement set of wings (from where?).

I just saw an item about this on TV (UK Discovery).

Lucky Lady II crash-landed and wrote off its wings.

Planes of Fame have now acquired a set from a KC-97. I can't recall its exact details but it was somewhere in the desert and destined for a museum. Eventually they found too much corrosion in the fuselage so they scrapped it but donated the wings to Planes of Fame. The film showed the wings being transported so I suppose they must be at Chino by now.

(PS - it hasn't been in Ontario for quite some time!!!)

[bdk]

Yes, all is in Chino (including the KC-97 parts- wings and empennage). Lucky Lady II was used as a promotional tool by the USAF and had the spar cut out in the fuselage so people could walk through from front to back. Volunteers have done a great job of restoring much of the interior including operating radios and turrets. The fuselage was recently moved to allow for a new hangar and gift shop to be built, so I am not sure if it is on display at the moment or in storage.

[APG85]

Pretty historic aircraft. Hopefully it will be in one piece again someday. Does anyone have any pictures of it in it's current state?

[APG85]

...I'm also looking for a list of surviving B-50's if anyone has that...

[Pat Carry]

Here are the surviving B-50's: 1. 46-0010 "Lucky Lady II" The Air Museum Chino,Ca 2. 49-0310 The Natl Museum of the USAF Dayton,Oh 3. 49-0351 Castle Air Museum Atwater,Ca 4. 49-0372 Pima Air & Space Museum Tucson,Az and 5. 49-0389 McDill AFB Tampa.Fl Hope this helps.

[ww2John]

Pat Carry,

Please help me if I have my information wrong.

I have a picture from October 1992 of what I thought was 49-0389 (B50-D-125-BO converted to a KB50-J aerial tanker) outside at NMUSAF in Dayton. My notes say it is "displayed as 48-0014. Do I have the wrong ID or did 49-0389 get moved to McDill later than '92.

(I also have pix of 49-0310 B50-D-115-BO converted to a WB50-D outside at NMUSAF from March 1992 and I know I did not mix these two aircraft up.)

All help much appreciated

[RMAllnutt]

ww2John... you are correct, both of these B-50's were at Wright-Pat at the time you mentioned (I saw them myself). The KB-50J was later moved on to McDill AFB. Pat gave the correct locations for the B-50's.

Cheers,
Richard

[APG85]

Thanks for the list of B-50 survivors. Not many left. I hope Lucky Lady II is put together with some wings someday. I've seen the B-50 at the NMUSAF and the one at Pima. Both are in need of some work. Pima's has really suffered from years outside....... Did the other B-50 that was once at the NMUSAF fly to McDill AFB or was it dismantled and trucked? I'm guessing it's sitting outside in the corrosive Florida air.......

[Pat Carry]

Most likely the B-50 was trucked to McDill. The good news about the B-50 at the NMUSAF is that it is now on display indoors.