Posted on Feb 25, 2016
Lucky Lady II begins nonstop global flight - Feb 26, 1949 - HISTORY.com
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From Carswell Air Force Base in Fort Worth, Texas, the Lucky Lady II, a B-50 Superfortress, takes off on the first nonstop round-the-world flight. Under the command of Captain James Gallagher, and featuring a crew of 14 men, the aircraft averaged 249 miles per hour on its 23,452-mile trek. The Lucky Lady II was refueled four times in the air by B-29 tanker planes and on March 2 returned to the United States after 94 hours in the air.
In December 1986, Voyager, a lightweight propeller plane constructed mainly of plastic, landed at Edwards Air Force Base in Muroc, California, having completed the first global flight without refueling.
In December 1986, Voyager, a lightweight propeller plane constructed mainly of plastic, landed at Edwards Air Force Base in Muroc, California, having completed the first global flight without refueling.
Lucky Lady II begins nonstop global flight - Feb 26, 1949 - HISTORY.com
Posted from history.com
American History
Military History
Aviation
Posted >1 y ago
Responses: 4
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I actually cared for the pilot of this A/C Colonel (ret) James Gallager back in 1978 or so. He retired out of the 89th MAW @ Andrews.
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Lucky Lady II is still around, here she is at the Planes of Fame Museum in Chino CA in 2007. I don't know if they have the entire airframe but it surely would be nice to see this Superfortress return to the skies.
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That is very interesting SP5 Mark Kuzinski to learn that the Lucky Lady II, a B-52 Superfortress, takes off on the first nonstop round-the-world flight.
I am pretty sure that the Lucky Lady II was a B-52 Superfortress similar to the ones depicted in the classic doomsday movie Dr. Strangelove. SrA Christopher Wright
I am pretty sure that the Lucky Lady II was a B-52 Superfortress similar to the ones depicted in the classic doomsday movie Dr. Strangelove. SrA Christopher Wright
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LTC Stephen F.
SrA Christopher Wright - Thanks for fleshing out the details my friend. Unfortunately I have used up all my upvotes for the day.
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