Beneath each wing were mounted three engines, two in an inboard nacelle and the other near the wing tip. The b 47 really pioneered the alljet bomber concept and many of its design features have inspired and been carried over into the later bomber. B47 true stories details the development and operational history of a. The boeing b47 was the countrys first sweptwing multiengine bomber. The boeing b47 stratojet was operational with the united states air force strategic air. During the 1950s the introduction of boeings b47 stratojet and b52 stratofortress bombers, as well as the kc5 aerial refueling tanker, provided a quantum leap in the capabilities of the u. But it was as an interim aircraft between the strategic bomber of world war ii and the b47 that it proved useful. There is perhaps no other commercial airliner as iconic as the boeing 747. Boeing b47 stratojet history strategic air command. Ferry lotterman castle usa air force boeing b47 stratojet. B 47bs served as the first true operational forms of the stratojet to which the usaf put on order some 87 examples. Boeing b47 stratojet wikipedia, a enciclopedia livre.
Jetzguy seattle boeing field king county intl usa air force boeing b47 stratojet. Fredriksen calls his profusely illustrated book an operational history, and its very much just that. From the first flight of the boeing xb 47 stratojet prototype, 17 december 1947, to the final flight of b 47e 52166, was 38 years, 6 months, 1 day. The name boeing evokes vivid images, from the b17 flying fortresses of world war ii to the 707 and 747 jet transports that revolutionized air travel. Boeing b 47 stratojet in the 1950s the boeing b 47 stratojet was the backbone of the strategic air command. With more than 25 variants, the b 47 was the backbone of the strategic air command throughout the 1950s. Lloyds book underscores the immensely vital deterrent and other roles the plane filled during the tense, early days of the cold war. B47 stratojet pilots flight operating instructions by united states air in books, nonfiction ebay boeing b 47 stratojet medium heavy bomber feb 01, 2015 boeing b47 stratojet of 1949 was not adopted by the soviet air force. Renowned worldwide for its highly successful line of commercial airliners, as well as for its military transports and strategic bombers, boeing is also. Pdf boeing 707 group a history download full pdf book.
On 28 february 1955, a crippled b 47 crashed into a trailer park in lake charles, louisiana, killing the aircrafts three crewmen and two people on the ground. The air force wanted a highaltitude, mediumrange, subsonic bomber. The prototype completed its maiden flight on february 19, 1982 and it was faa certified on december 21, 1982. Highaltitude craft was the sweptwing, sixengined boeing b47 stratojet, deployed in 1950 and used by the u. Of the more than 2,000 aircraft built for the stratojet fleet, a total of only 21 b 47 aircraft have survived, been restored, and placed on display in locations across the united states. Specifically, the b 47 program was comprised of 2 xb47s, 10 b 47as mostly used for testing, 397 b 47b s, 1 yb47c, 1,341 b 47es, 255 rb47es, and 35 rb47hs. Douglasbuilt b 47e25dt stratojet 52166 on final approach to land at castle air force base, 17 june 1986. It was followed in 1955 by the eightengined boeing b52 stratofortress. As by far the best of the three remaining contenders, the b45 was accepted for production as an interim measure until the more desirable b47 could be perfected. At the peak of its career in 1956, 1,367 b47s were in strategic air commands sac inventory of 1,650 bombers. B 47 stratojet pilots flight operating instructions by united states air in books, nonfiction ebay boeing b 47 stratojet medium heavy bomber feb 01, 2015 boeing b 47 stratojet of 1949 was not adopted by the soviet air force.
After graduation i went from learning the boeing b47 stratojet to working on the boeing b52 stratofortress and the boeing kc5 stratotanker at larson afb and fairchild afb. With more than 25 variants, the b47 was the backbone of the strategic air command throughout the 1950s. An uncensored history of americas top secret military base by annie jacobsen, a higher call. A photographic history the boeing b 47 stratojet was produced in larger numbers than any post world war ii. Boeing b47 stratojet a photographic history by mark natola.
And when air force officials visited boeing, they came to discuss production plans for the b 50 and to check progress on the new b 54, a compound engined bomber based on the b 29 and b 50. Air force first lieutenant with about 450 hours in bombers. The b47 became the cornerstone of americas nuclear deterrent force until the b52 came into the inventory. These were the planesnot that impractical b 47 that everyone expected to succeed the bombers then in use. An uncensored history of americas top secret military base hardcover. The air force accepted a grand total of 2,041 b47s including the first 2 experimental planes and the prototype of a neverproduced configuration. But, perhaps most importantly, the lessons learned from the b47 proved vital for the development and operational deployment of the boeing b52, sacs first true intercontinental jet bomber. One additional b 47 is awaiting restoration at the air force flight test museum, edwards afb, california. At that time, four contractors were developing bombers. The air force needed it because the sweptwing, jetpowered strategic bomber was behind in its development. The b47 became the first true modern bomber to fill the ranks of general curtiss lemays new strategic air command. The lavishly illustrated boeing b50 number 215 in ginter books popular air force legends series sports 240 pages of incredibly indepth information. While two 1,780gallon drop tanks increased range, they also marred the bombers clean lines and produced drag. Boeing b47 stratojet 0f the usaf, design, production numbers.
Often labelled the queen of the skies, this is an aircraft revered by. The third aircraft company to be awarded a development contract in the 1944 air force competition was boeing with a straight wing design, which housed four jet engines in the fuselage. About the boeing b 47 stratojetwith the launch of the the b 47 stratojet, the us air force jumped in a single decade from b 17 and b 24 bombers lumbering at 200 mph over germany to a 600 mph swept wing jet capable with air refueling of hitting intercontinental targets. Over the operating history of the b47, 203 aircraft were lost in crashes, with 464 deaths. The b47 proved to be as fast as many of the jet fighters of the day, and its operational altitude was as high as 40,000 feet. Here is the definitive saga of americas most exciting company, which also built the firststage saturn rocket that started men on their way to the moon, and which is now designing americas. O boeing b47 stratojet e um aviao bombardeiro da boeing.
This article incorporates public domain material from the air force historical research agency. A total of 2,042 aircraft were built by the boeing, douglas and lockheed aircraft companies. If this book was a history, where are the pictures of af bases with b47s on the ramp. Air force manual, this book takes you inside the cockpit of the sweptwing boeing b 47 stratojet the air forces first alljet strategic bomber, which served as the mainstay of strategic air command from the 1950s to the mid1960s to learn everything you need to know for takeoff. Then got a fire warning light on one of the engines in port nacelle. Every large jet aircraft today is a descendant of the b47. First flight was on april 26th, 1951 and the dire need by the usaf to field the b47 ensured a total of 399 b47bs were delivered. The boeing b47 stratojet jet bomber was a medium range and size bomber capable of flying at high subsonic speeds and primarily designed for penetrating the. I got my first glimpse of a boeing b47 on an april morning in 1954, when i was a u. The boeing b47 stratojet was produced in larger numbers than any post world war ii american bomber.
At the peak of its career in 1956, 1,367 b 47s were in strategic air commands sac inventory of 1,650 bombers. A presence in our skies for over forty years, it has transported hundreds of thousands of passengers across the world. The b47 design featured a highmounted, high aspect ratio, laminarflow wing with a very thin crosssection. Military helicopter military army military history military aircraft air force bases us air force strategic air command b 52 stratofortress work horses air force celebrates 60 years of the kc5 the air force celebrated the 60th birthday of the kc5 stratotanker aug. The b47 served the united states air force from 1951 to 1977. From the first flight of the boeing xb47 stratojet prototype, 17 december 1947, to the final flight of b47e 52166, was 38 years, 6 months, 1 day. In the boeing b47 stratojet in pictures mark natola takes you from the development of the first xb47 through the final yb47c and b47z concept aircraft. I was walking out to fly a rather staid base aircraft, a beech c45, and saw the b47glistening in the california sun and trailing long plumes of. Eastern air lines placed the original 757200 in commercial service on. List of b47 units of the united states air force wikipedia. Boeing is the largest aerospace company in the united states and one of the key players in the aerospace industry throughout the world. I was in the air force from 1955 to 1958, trained to be a pilot, flying b47s.
Bowman is one of britains leading aviation authors and has written a great deal of books focussing on aspects of second world war aviation history. B 47a models were in service up until 1952 and were followed into service by the improved b 47b models. This book covers the b47s entire history in deep technical detail, with more than 400 photographs, many never before seen. The dawn of discipline a b47 pilot remembers when an airplaneand curtis lemaystiffened the spine of the strategic air command.
It represented a milestone in aviation history and a revolution in aircraft design. Of the 2,032 aircraft built, 23 survive today, none of which are airworthy, and all of which are located in the united states. B 47 stratojet pilots flight operating instructions a reproduction of a previously restricted u. Here is the book that does justice to the story of. The b45 tornado was the first american fourengine jet bomber to fly, and the first american production jet bomber, built by north american aviation it was also the first jet bomber capable of carrying an atomic bomb, and the first multijet reconnaissance aircraft to refuel in midair. Boeing b47 stratojet a photographic history by mark. The b 47 was produced in greater numbers than any other postwar us bomber with a total of 2,042 being built by boeing, douglas and lockheed in more than 25 variants.
The boeing b47 stratojet is a retired american longrange, sixengined, turbojet powered. The primary mission of the b47 was as a nuclear bomber capable of striking targets within the soviet union. B 47 research and development began in 1945 with the first prototype flight in december 1947. It was as fast as many early jet fighters, with sophisticated defenses and an operational altitude of up to 40,000 feet. Jan 28, 2011 the boeing b47 stratojet was produced in larger numbers than any post world war ii american bomber. Boeing b47 stratojet strategic medium heavy bomber aircraft. All other b 47s in the air force operational inventory, be they weather reconnaissance aircraft wb47es, etb47e combat crew trainer, qb 47 drones, or others, were acquired through.
The b47 really pioneered the alljet bomber concept and many of its design features have inspired and been carried over into the later bomber. Two designs were conventional bombers in the mold of the b29, while the more radical designs. B 47 052 elgin afb test 5 october 1953 usaf b 47 052 elgin afb test 6 lt. Specifically, the b47 program was comprised of 2 xb47s, 10 b47as mostly used for testing, 397 b47b s, 1 yb47c, 1,341 b47es, 255 rb47es. I was in the air force from 1955 to 1958, trained to be a pilot, flying b 47s. Lloyds work traces the development of this revolutionary plane in brisk, compelling detail. The boeing b47 stratojet was produced in larger numbers than any post. The boeing b47 stratojet is an american jetengine strategic bomber used by the united states air force from 1951 until 1977. The lavishly illustrated boeing b50 number 215 in ginter books popular air force legends series sports 240 pages of incredibly indepth information its not your dads b29, either. B47 research and development began in 1945 with the first prototype flight in december 1947. Authors mike habermehl and former sac pilot robert hopkins combine nearly 50 years of research and operational experience to provide the ultimate history of the b47. B47a, historical video 3view restored b47 in flight, 1986 b47 stratojet at the castle air museum. While it was an amazing piece of engineering for its time, the supersonic was arguably obsolete the day it.
This book covers the b47s entire history in deep technical detail, with more than 400 photographs. About the boeing b47 stratojetwith the launch of the the b47 stratojet, the us air force jumped in a single decade from b17 and b24 bombers lumbering at 200 mph over germany to a 600 mph swept wing jet capable with air refueling of hitting intercontinental targets. B47 stratojet pilots flight operating instructions by. Nov 10, 2005 the b 47 became the cornerstone of americas nuclear deterrent force until the b 52 came into the inventory. Boeing b 47, b 52 and the avro vulcan legends of the air series vol 5 stewart wilson paperback published 1997 wilson. Boeing engineers had envisioned a jetpowered plane as early as 1943. The history of ejection seats if a plane could get by on coolness alone the would still be in service today. The b 47 proved to be as fast as many of the jet fighters of the day, and its operational altitude was as high as 40,000 feet. Douglasbuilt b47e25dt stratojet 52166 on final approach to land at castle air force base, 17 june 1986. But that part of the b47 story thankfully does not dominate the book. Almost before the b47 was fully operational though its successor, the incredibly long ranging eight engined b52 was airborne and preparing to become one of the legendary aircraft of the modern era.
The thennamed 7n7, a twinjet successor for the 727 a trijet, received its first orders in august 1978. A case study of the boeing b47 stratojet joel grasmeyer troy jones dana horn duane knill. In addition, this work provides a comprehensive overview of b47. Over the operating history of the b 47, 203 aircraft were lost in crashes, with 464 deaths. The boeing b 47 stratojet is an american jetengine strategic bomber used by the united states air force from 1951 until 1977. B47 stratojet pilots flight operating instructions a reproduction of a previously restricted u. Boeing b47 stratojet em exibicao no mighty eighth air force museum.
Popular aviation history books showing 150 of 302 area 51. With long range, high altitude capabilities, the stratojet became the backbone of sac in the early 1950s. Jun 17, 2019 the b 47 served the united states air force from 1951 to 1977. The boeing b 47 stratojet was produced in larger numbers than any post world war ii american bomber. Infact, almost all jetpowered commercial airliners today can trace their design ancestry back to the b47. But it was as an interim aircraft between the strategic bomber of world war ii and the b 47 that it proved useful. This book looks at the three major western bombers of the cold war era the avro vulcan, boeing b 47 stratojet and boeing b 52 stratofortress. Air force manual, this book takes you inside the cockpit of the sweptwing boeing b47 stratojet the air forces first alljet strategic bomber, which served as the mainstay of strategic air command from the 1950s to the mid1960s to learn everything you need to know for takeoff. North american b45 tornado bomber history, specifications. The b47 was produced in greater numbers than any other postwar us bomber with a total of 2,042 being built by boeing, douglas and. The wing was indeed so thin that it flexed as much as 5 ft 1. Boeing b47e stratojet archives this day in aviation. B47a models were in service up until 1952 and were followed into service by the improved b47b models.
Boeing b47 b e aircraft maintenance airframe manual. Strategic air command as a longrange nuclear weapons carrier. Bombers, tankers, trainers, weather birds and recon versions. Throughout, theres excellent p 47 stratojet footage here. The boeing 757 is an american narrowbody airliner that was designed and built by boeing commercial airplanes. Throughout, theres excellent p47 stratojet footage here. The sabre took flight first, on october 1, a meager 2. Boeing b47 stratojet in the 1950s the boeing b47 stratojet was the backbone of the strategic air command. From its introduction with pan american airlines in 1970, it has persevered as one of the forerunners of commercial flight.
First flight was on april 26th, 1951 and the dire need by the usaf to field the b 47 ensured a total of 399 b 47bs were delivered. On a flight over several hours, we got a high vibration on the starboard outboard j47 engine. Find highquality b 47 stratojet stock photos and editorial news pictures from getty images. B 47 full text the b 47 became the first true modern bomber to fill the ranks of general curtiss lemays new strategic air command. Here is the book to do justice to the story of the development and operational career of this legendary bomber. B47bs served as the first true operational forms of the stratojet to which the usaf put on order some 87 examples. On a flight over several hours, we got a high vibration on the starboard outboard j 47 engine. Swift and lethal, the b47 introduced to production aircraft the sweptback wing with underwing, pylonmounted turbojet engines.
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