The YC-97 was the second prototype variation of the XC-97 military cargo plane. It first flew in 1947. By that time, the B-50 bomber had been launched, and the YC-97's design incorporated elements of the B-50 rather than the B-29 which had been its counterpoint for the XC-97. The YC-97 had a taller vertical tail, greater fuel capacity, and improved engines compared to the original XC-97 prototype.