Fourteen RB-50Bs were modified at Boeing-Wichita with SHORAN navigation radar for special missions. These planes were redesignated RB-50F. The SHORAN radar navigation system was used to conduct mapping, charting, and geodetic surveys. However, it was found in practice that the SHORAN system interfered with the RB-50F's defensive armament, so the SHORAN radar and its associated equipment were housed in removable kits.
The first RB-50F aircraft entered service with SAC in January of 1951. The serials of the RB-50Fs were as follows:
47-118/127 Boeing B-50B-40-BO Superfortress
c/n 15802/15811
All later modified to RB-50B configuration.
121 modified as RB-50F with navigational radar.
47-128/137 Boeing B-50B-45-BO Superfortress
c/n 15812/15821
All later modified to RB-50B configuration.
134, 137 modified as RB-50F with navigational
radar.
47-138/147 Boeing B-50B-50-BO Superfortress
c/n 15822/15831
All later modified to RB-50B configuration.
138/142, 144, 146 modified as RB-50F with
navigational radar.
47-158/162 Boeing B-50B-60-BO Superfortress
c/n 15842/15846
All later modified to RB-50B configuration.
158/160, 162 modified as RB-50F with
navigational radar.
Sources:
- American Combat Planes, Third Enlarged Edition, Ray Wagner, Doubleday,
1982.
- Post World War II Bombers, Marcelle Size Knaack, Office of Air Force
History, 1988.
- Boeing Aircraft Since 1916, Peter M. Bowers, Naval Institute Press, 1989.
- United States Military Aircraft Since 1909, Gordon Swanborough and Peter M. Bowers, Smithsonian, 1989.
