Warbird Information Exchange

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!!!)

_________________
Tony Andrews

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.

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

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

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.

_________________
Ain't no sunshine when she's gone!

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

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

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.......

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.

_________________
Ain't no sunshine when she's gone!