"Lucky Lady II' on display at Planes of Fame Air Museum. This SAC aircraft created history, being the first to complete a nonstop flight around the world. The standby B-50A from 63rd BS "Sea Hawks," 43rd BG took off from Carswell AFB on 26 Feb 1949 and landed back on 2 Mar 49 after flying 23,452 miles in 94 hours, 1 min. The 43rd ARS supplied four pairs of KB-29M tankers to refuel the B-50A four times, losing one. Capt James Gallagher and his crew received DFCs, the Mackay Trophy and Air Age Trophy. The B-50A was damaged BER on 13 Aug 50 after all engines failed, breaking off the tail.

Lucky Lady II arrives back at Carswell after flying 37,742 km (23,452 miles) around the world non-stop in 94 hours with four aerial refuellings by KB-29M tankers. One of the tankers crashed. One source says this is the departure but that is unlikely since the flight was secret until it was almost done. Note the B-36s on the left. Photo by: Tony Linck / Life

The preserved fuselage of 46-10 which flew non-stop around the world in 94 hours, with four air-to-air refuellings, in Feb/March 1949. The flight was from Carswell AFB and the aircraft was later damaged in an accident with only its fuselage surviving.

This aircraft made the first nonstop flight around the world on February 26 thru March 2, 1949.