Boeing B-47 Stratojet

In mid 1944, the Air Force requested bids for a high performance, all jet design bomber. 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 the four jet engines in the fuselage. This configuration was given the original XB-47 label. Results of preliminary testing did not encourage this type of arrangement, however. Tests continued on various designs with none offering the advanced performance sought.

    In September, 1945, a swept back wing was introduced as a result of reports studied in German after World War II. This was what had been needed. The next problem was the engine location. More than fifty different positions and combinations were tried before the final placing was decided. This became Boeing Model 450, or the B-47.

    The first Boeing XB-47 prototype proved the soundness of the radical design. Production contracts were awarded that eventually made the Statojet the backbone of the Strategic Air Command. Ten B-47A's made up the original order and it was followed by 398 B-47B aircraft. These two types were powered by six engines instead of the original design of four. These engines were the General Electric J47-GE-11 and -23 engines giving up to 5,800 pounds of thrust - 1,800 pounds more than the prototype's J35-GE-7 units.

    Specifications: (Boeing B47E Stratojet)

Year: 1953
Engines: six General Electric J47-GE-25 turbojets, 6,000 lb (2,271 kg) thrust each.
Wingspan: 116 ft (35.35 m)
Length: 109 ft 10 in (33.47 m)
Height: 27 ft 11 in (8.50 m)
Weight: 206,700 lb (93,759 kg) (loaded)
Maximum speed: 606 mph (975 km/h) at 16,300 ft (4,968 m)
Ceiling: 40,500 ft (12,345 m)
Range: 4,000 miles (6,435 km)
Armament: 2 x 20 mm cannon; 20,000 lb (9,072 kg) bombs
Crew: 3

October 31, 1969, the last Boeing B-47 Stratojet jet bomber is retired from USAF service.

For more Cold War history on the "Stratojet"... Click Here!


	An interesting item from Larry: Bet you never seen one of those do a roll at about 5000 Feet? Also how many of your readers know that the USAF in their wisdom tried making the B47 in to QB 47 Drone, it happen at Eglin AFB Fla in the 1960's. Later Check out Larry's web site ~CLICK HERE~

Updates by Larry:

I do not remember where I got this from but it was taken at Eglin AFB Fla in the early 1960's I was in the 3205 Drone Sq and we flew out of Fld 3 Duke Fld QB 17 an QF 80 on the main base they was talk about doing QF 104 and QB 47 I left in 1959 so I know it had to be taken in late 1960 as the QF 104 they only did 22 QF 104 according the Qf104 bottomed out in early 1970 so the 22 of them lasted a long time as we lost a heck lot more QB 17 and QF 80 then that in the 2 years I was there. At any rate here is also two pictures of the one on display at Eglin before being refurbished and then after it was done. It currently is on display or was in 2001.

12:12 2/1/2003