On this date in 1949, a Boeing B-50A Superfortress, named Lucky Lady II, ended its four-day, non-stop circumnavigation of the Earth, landing back at Carswell AFB, Fort Worth, Texas. The bomber received four inflight refuelings for its 94 hours and 1 minute, 23,452-mile flight. Lucky Lady II was the backup aircraft for this flight but became primary when the first B-50, Global Queen, had to abort with engine problems. Each Lucky Lady II crew member was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross and the Mackay Trophy for the most meritorious flight of the year. Aerial refueling proved there was no distance out the reach for the Strategic Air Command.
13 August 1950, while returning to its base at Davis-Monthan AFB, Tucson, Arizona, all four engines failed. Unable to reach the runways, the pilot landed safely in the desert approximately two miles away. Though the landing gear was extended, the bomber collapsed and was damaged beyond economic repair. The unrestored fuselage of Lucky Lady II is at the Planes of Fame Air Museum, Chino, California.
No comments:
Post a Comment