Boeing WB-50D 48-060 53rd Weather Reconnaissance Squadron Hurricane Hunters

These are 1/72 scale decals for Boeing WB-50D Superfortress 48-060, assigned to the 53rd Weather Reconnaissance Squadron — the legendary "Hurricane Hunters" — wearing the unit's dramatic natural metal and fluorescent red-orange (FS 28913) high-visibility scheme.

The WB-50D was a dedicated weather reconnaissance variant of the B-50 Superfortress, stripped of its bomber equipment and fitted with meteorological instruments, dropsondes, and extended-range fuel systems for long-duration weather penetration missions. The 53rd Weather Reconnaissance Squadron flew these aircraft directly into tropical storms and hurricanes to gather the atmospheric data that forecasters needed to track, predict, and warn against some of nature's most destructive forces — missions that required flying into conditions that every other pilot was desperately trying to avoid.

The bold fluorescent red-orange panels covering the tail, engine nacelles, and nose were applied for high-visibility search and rescue identification — a practical necessity for aircraft operating alone over open ocean in deteriorating weather, far from any assistance. The contrast against the polished natural metal fuselage makes this one of the most visually arresting schemes in the entire Superfortress family. Serial 0-80060 wears the full "WEATHER" band markings and Hurricane Hunters unit insignia.

A spectacular and unique scheme for any weather reconnaissance, Superfortress, or Cold War aviation collection. Please allow some time for decal printing and shipping.