Begun in 1947, the B-54 was the planned production version of theYB-50C prototype. The standardPratt & Whitney R-4360 engines of the normal B-50 bomber were replaced with R-4360-51 Variable Discharge Turbine (VDT) engines, thefuselage was lengthened by over 10 feet (3.0 m) and the wingspan was extended by 20 feet (6.1 m), which required the installation of outrigger landing gear in the first and fourth engine nacelles. Large fuel tanks under the outboard wing section were required to carry an additional 3,000 US gallons (11,000 L; 2,500 imp gal) of fuel to reach the intended 9,300-mile (15,000 km) range; 14 .50-caliber machine guns comprised the specified defensive armament.[1]
On May 29, 1948, contracts were placed by the Air Force for 14 B-54A bombers and 29 RB-54Areconnaissance aircraft.[2][3][4][1] However, on April 18, 1949, the B-54 project was canceled due to the development of better-performing jet aircraft; construction of the prototype B-54A had started at Seattle but was never completed.[1] The cancellation was lambasted by the Seattle press, which claimed that it was a political decision instead of a military one.[5]
Jones, Lloyd S (1974) [1962],U.S. Bombers, B-1 1928 to B-1 1980s (2nd ed.), Fallbrook, CA: Aero Publishers,ISBN0-8168-9126-5.
"Factsheets: Boeing B-54A". National Museum of the United States Air Force. July 7, 2009. Archived fromthe original on June 16, 2012. Retrieved2017-07-09.
Olson, James C. (2003).Stuart Symington: A Life. Columbia, MO: University of Missouri Press.ISBN978-0-82621503-1.
Swanborough, F. G. and Peter M. Bowers.United States Military Aircraft since 1909. Washington, DC: Smithsonian Institution Press, 1989.ISBN978-0-87474880-2.
Wagner, Ray (1968).American Combat Planes. New York: Doubleday.ISBN978-0-38504134-8.
