Boeing RB-50G Superfortress

by Jennings Heilig

HyperScale is proudly supported by Squadron.com

This rendering is dedicated to the memory of Capt. John Roche, USAF who passed recently.

Captain Roche was the only survivor of the shootdown of this aircraft on the day after the Korean War armistice was signed. The aircraft was operating in international airspace near Vladivostok in the Soviet far east when it was attacked and shot down by MiG-15s. The entire crew, save for Capt. Roche (the copilot) died in the crash, or were drowned afterward.

Capt. Roche survived, and carried on the memories of his fallen crewmembers in strict secrecy until the events surrounding the shootdown were declassified in the 1990s.

I had the privilege of meeting Capt. Roche in 1996 and was able to take notes on a photo he had of his ill-fated aircraft. Capt. Roche told me the photo was taken approximately three days before the shootdown, and represented its appearance at that time.

Text and Images Copyright © 2003 by Jennings Heilig
Page Created 04 April, 2003
Last updated 04 April, 2003

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