The FReeper Foxhole - Eyewitness to War: William W. Patteson - Feb. 26th, 2005

Civil War Magazine | 2002 | Scott M. Sherlock

[PhilDragoo]

Data compiled in 20034 showed 413 retired Members of Congress were receiving federal pensions based fully or in part on their congressional service. The average age of those retiring under CSRS was 75.5 and had at least 20 years of federal service. Those who retired under FERS had an average age of 68.3 years and 21.6 years of federal service. Their average retirement payment was $3,909 a month.

A Confederate Field Hospital - Cedar Mountain, VA, August 1862
The Library of Congress - American Memory Collection - Selected Civil War Photographs Home Page

1949 USAF plane began 1st nonstop around-the-world flight

Click on the plane

[SAMWolf]

Evening Phil Dragoo.

If Congress had to participate in the Socialist Security ponzi scheme, it's be changed real quick.


B-50 Superfortress

The four-engine, propeller-powered B-50 bomber was among the last piston-powered bombers built during an era that was to be dominated by jets, particularly the B-47 and the B-52. In 1949, the B-50A, the Lucky Lady II made the first nonstop flight around the world in 94 hours, refueled in flight four times by KB-29Ms.

The B-50 evolved from the B-29D, but because it included so many improvements, it was redesignated the B-50A, with 59 percent more power than the B-29. Other improvements were more aerodynamic nacelles, larger flaps, fast-retracting ball-screw landing gear, hydraulic rudder boost, hydraulic nosewheel steering and heated-wing deicing. It also had a higher vertical tail that folded when the bomber rolled into standard-height hangars. The B-50's wing, made from the new 75ST aluminum alloy, was 16 percent stronger and 600 pounds lighter than the otherwise identical B-29 wing.

Sixty B-50As were ordered by the U.S. Army Air Force before the end of World War II, and delivery began in 1947. In all 79 B-50As were built. The next version, the B-50B, was heavier, with a gross weight of 170,000 pounds. Fitted with cameras and wing tanks, it was designated of RB-50B and used for strategic reconnaissance. The B-50D was distinguished by a one-piece transparent-plastic nose molding and an optically flat bombardier’s window in the lower portion. Some B-50s were later converted to hose-type KB-50 aerial tankers, their speed enhanced by the addition of two 5,200-pound-thrust jet engines, so at 400 mph, they could refuel jet aircraft. One KB-50D became a drone to test Bell XGAM missiles, and 36 became long-range reconnaissance aircraft (WB-50D).

Boeing built 371 B-50s between 1947 and 1953. Some served until 1965 and were in action during the Vietnam conflict as refueling tankers.

[Iris7]

I was looking at the drawing of "Lucky Lady II", and said to myself, "those are not Curtis-Wright R-3350s, they are Pratt R-4360s." So, google to the rescue, and indeed, the B-50 in later versions used R-4360s. The R-4360 was the pinnacle of radial aero engine development.

[snippy_about_it]

Thanks Phil. I'd forgotten how many good stories the USAF site had. Time to look for some thread material!

[PhilDragoo]

JACQUES TREMPE COLLECTION
No. 2958. Boeing 345 B-50D Superfortress (48-072 c/n 15881) USAF
Aeroplane Photo Supply (APS) Photo No. 4705

B-50D in flight

B-50 Superfortresses from Strategic Air Command deployed to Andersen Air Force Base, Guam, for 90-day rotations to support operations in Korea.

Boeing B-50 Superfortress flight-line

Start of fourteen photo series on B-50 Superfortress

[snippy_about_it]

That is a beautiful plane. The pics were great.

[snippy_about_it]

Good evening PE. I'm running a little late. Is everyone at home healthy now?

[SAMWolf]

Thanks Phil.

[E.G.C.]

BTT!!!!!!

[Professional Engineer]

Is everyone at home healthy now?

HA! Bitty Girl and I both have sinus infections, and Msdrby has a nagging cough. We're all gonna have to go into isolation if this keeps up. ;-(