B-50 Deployments
During 1949, the 43d Bombardment Group deployed to Britain with the first Boeing B-50 Superfortress. The Boeing B-50 Superfortress was a post-World War II revision of the wartime B-29 Superfortress with new, more powerful Pratt & Whitney R-4360 radial engines, a taller vertical stabilizer, and other improvements. The B-50 started as a B-29D, however for political reasons, a new designation was made.
Earlier, the B-29s had required forward bases for refueling, however most of the B-50s were equipped with in-flight refueling capability. To refuel the B-50s, the 43d Group had a squadron of KB-29M tankers (B-29s with no armament and large fuel tanks installed in the bomb bays and fuel transfer gear added). The KB-29s carried the same style markings as the B-50s (diagonal stripes in squadron colors).
The 2nd Bombardment Group continued the style of markings used with the earlier B-29s on their B-50s (painted nose wheel doors, fuselage bands and fin tips). Additionally, large squadron badges were carried on the sides of the aircraft nose.
SAC B-50s were regular visitors to RAF St Eval in Cornwall, and they regularly participated in static displays at various RAF bases during the Battle of Britain celebrations between 1948 and 1951.
Read more about this topic: Strategic Air Command In The United Kingdom