Skunk Works Mailing List
ROCAF B-49s
Date: Wed, 22 Sep 1999 20:37:05 -0500
From: G&G
Subject: ROCAF B-49s
I found this while following an unrelated link and thought I'd pass it on.
I'm not sure how much credence I would put in this story, especially with
comments like "U-2 were only used as decoy since they had larger RCS than
RB-49F " and the almost sarcastic ending...
Any comments?
Greg
from http://www.ninfinger.org/~sven/models/rms_tips/b49alt.hist.html
> ROCAF B-49s
>
> by Wei-Bin Chang
>
> wei-bin@geocities.com
>
> G.R. Broman's story on B49 variants is essentially correct. However, he missed
> an important chapter: The secret operations of RB-49F over China flown by
> ROCAF pilots. As an ROCAF enthusiast, I am happy to reveal this untold history.
> The following story is based on reported aircraft sightings in newpapers, my
> interviews with the pilots, and my own research on ROC government files. As
> ROCAF never admitted such operations, my story might contain some errors.
>
> In 1961, six RB-49F were secretly transported to Taiwan by sea. They were
> based at Taoyuan AB, serving along with the famous U-2. Like the U-2, these
> RB-49F were also operated by CIA, but pilots were chosen from ROCAF. Prior
> to the shipment of RB-49, 12 ROCAF pilots had been secretly sent to Edwards
> AFB for training. Ten of them returned to Taiwan in 1961 while the other
> two were recruited by USAF due to their excellent skills. It was rumored
> that the RB-49 shot down over Russia was co-piloted by one of the two.
>
> The unit that operated RB-49F was nicknamed "Black Bat." (FYI, the unit flying
> U-2 was called "Black Cat.") Its mission is to fly over China's nuclear test
> sites and take photographs. Reports that U-2 were responsible for these missions
> were created by CIA to fool Chinese and Russians. In fact, U-2 were only used
> as decoy since they had larger RCS than RB-49F. A typical mission involved an
> RB-49F and a U-2. After reaching the target area, the U-2 would fly circles to
> attract the attention from Chinese SAM radars, while RB-49F conducted its recon
> mission. Although several U-2s were shot down, none of RB-49Fs flown by
> ROCAF was ever lost. The ten pilots all received the "Blue-sky-and-white-sun"
> medal, the highest honor a Taiwanese could get. A photo showing these pilots
> with then President Chiang Kai-Shek was released to the press by accident. Later
> the Ministry of National Defense claimed that these pilots were from the Black
> Cat squadron. However, the pilots in this photo were wearing a bat-shaped pin on
> their chests. All RB-49Fs were withdrawn to USA in either 1969 or 1970. All
> pilots were also flown to USA and granted US citizenship. They are all protected
> by the Witness Protection Program.
>
> RB-49F based in Taiwan wore overall light gray with a black "shadow" of a
> fullsize U-2 painted on both sides. It is said that Squadron/Signal has obtained
> a photo of ROCAF RB-49F and this photo will be included in the future "B-49 in
> Action." However, as I called them to verify it, CIA cut my phone connection and
> two agents came to my apartment warning me to keep my butt off. So this is all I
> know about RB-49 in Taiwan.
>
--
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Created: Wed Sep 22 22:30:01 EDT 1999