<hi style=afpcap>The Boeing B-50 Superfortress was a natural outgrowth of the B-29. Boeing experimented with a B-29 re-engined with R-4360 Wasp Majors as the XB-44, with the Army showing interest in the design. With other refinements including a taller fin and the use of stronger alloy to permit a higher gross weight, the new aircraft was assigned the designation B-50. An order for 60 B-50s was placed before the war ended with work continuing at a slow pace. The first B-50A performed its maiden flight at Renton, Washington in June 1947, with deliveries commencing later in the year. These were the first new bombers delivered to Strategic Air Command as the organisation had only been formed the previous year. Various models were produced including the B-50D (Illustrated), which featured a one piece Plexiglass nose mounting and a pair of underwing fuel tanks. The B-50D was the most produced version with more than 100 being ordered between 1947 and 1949.</hi>
