The Boeing B-47 Stratojet was a long-range, strategic bomber in the arsenal of the US Air Force during the Cold War. For eighteen years, it was the backbone of the US Strategic Air Command (SAC). There were nearly two thousand Stratojet bombers always poised and ready to take to the air, carrying its lethal cargo of atomic bombs. However, many of them were also used in the reconnaissance role. Despite its size, the aircraft had an exceptional handling for formation flying as it was also able to accomplish loops and rolls.
The prototype of the B-47 first flew on December 17, 1947, defeating several rivals to become the US Air Force's choice as its main strategic bomber of the 1950s. After almost four years of flight tests, it was finally introduced into service in October 1951, when the first batch of ten B-47B bombers were delivered to the Strategic Air Command. It was the first swept-wing, jet bomber ever produced and it had breathtaking performance. It participated in reflex deployments between the United States and Great Britain.
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| Above, the B-47B in flight, the first production variant. |
Technical Description
The Boeing B-47 Stratojet was a six-engine, jet monoplane. It had cantilever, 35-degree swept-back wing, which was mounted high on fuselage. It had an extremely high aspect ratio, with a fine aerodynamic efficiency. The wing was built in such a way that during maneuvers they could flex up to 3 m (10-ft), allowing the bomber to accomplish loops and barrel rolls during certain attack procedures. The aircraft tailplane was also 35-degree swept-back, with a large vertical fin on top.
The all-metal fuselage of the B-47 had a large bomb-bay, which was capable of carrying 9,071 kg (20,000-lb) of bombs. The bomber had a narrow cockpit. Thus, the two pilots sat in tandem, under a bubble Plexiglas canopy. For the pilot sitting in front, visibility was excellent. Because of the thin wings, fuel was carried in two main tanks located above and to the rear of weapons bay. A tandem or bicycle arrangement was used for the main landing gear.
Specifications (B-47E)
Type: long-range, strategic bomber
Length: 33.48 m (109 feet, 10 inches)
Wing Span: 35.36 m (116 feet)
Wing Area: 132.66 m2 (1,428 square feet)
Height: 8.51 m (27 feet, 11 inches)
Power Plant: six General Electric J47-GE-25/25A turbojet engines, each capable of developing 7,200 lb of thrust, with water injection.
Maximum Speed: 975 km/h (606 mph)
Cruising Speed: 806 km/h (501 mph)
Range: 6,437 km (4,000 miles)
Service Ceiling: 12,345 m (40,500 feet)
Crew: 3
Armament: two backward-firing 20-mm cannons mounted in tail turret; 9,071-kg (20,000-lb) of bombs.
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| Above, a color picture of the B-47E, the most massively produced version of the bomber. Notice the drop tanks under wings. |
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| The prototype XB-47 in 1948. |
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| Front view of prototype in flight. |
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| Above, the B-47E version in flight in 1959. |
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| Stratojets flying in formation in the late 1950s. |
Below, the Boeing B-47 Stratojet take-off (footage)