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The B-47 Stratojet is one of the most important aircraft ever designed by The Boeing Company. It was the world's first large swept-wing aircraft, ushering in a long line of jet bombers and civil transports. During the Cold War in the 1950s, the B-47 became the backbone of the U.S. Air Force Strategic Air Command (SAC) medium-bomber fleet, a primary deterrent to nuclear war at a time when that possibility was most threatening.
At the end of World War II, Boeing engineers investigated German aeronautical technology, and it became apparent that a swept-wing configuration would enhance the performance of transonic aircraft. In a bold move, Boeing quickly tested and incorporated the concept into their XB-47 jet bomber design. In 1947, the B-47 emerged as the world's first large multi-engine swept-wing airplane -- a design configuration that became the standard for all modern jetliners. In addition to its 35-degree swept wings, the B-47 featured pod-mounted engines and "bicycle" landing gear, which marked a dramatic departure from existing aircraft designs. In all, 2,032 B-47s were produced by Boeing and under license by Lockheed and Douglas.
The B-47 was designed to drop nuclear weapons from high altitude, but was later adapted to use a fighter-type "bomb toss" technique at low level. The large, thin swept wing was the source of new problems such as high-speed aileron reversal and pitch-up, which were solved by incorporating spoilers and vortex generators. The B-47 was operated by a crew of three: pilot, co-pilot, and bombardier/navigator. The twin .50-caliber tail guns could be operated automatically using a dedicated radar or manually by the co-pilot. There were many B-47 refinements and variants during production, as well as conversions.
The Museum's B-47 was delivered to the U.S. Air Force as a B-47E from the Boeing plant in Wichita, Kansas. After serving with SAC from 1953 to 1963, the Museum's Stratojet was one of thirty-four B-47Es converted to a WB-47E and flew weather reconnaissance missions until retirement in 1969. The aircraft was the last B-47 to fly a weather reconnaissance mission on October 29, 1969. The next day, it was delivered to Boeing Field, Seattle for eventual display. It could be seen in outdoor storage there for decades. Following its restoration to the SAC B-47E configuration, it was moved to its permanent home in the Museum's Aviation Pavilion.
Although this aircraft served in the USAF during its career, administrative ownership of certain retired B-47s was transferred to the U.S. Navy. This aircraft is on loan from the National Naval Aviation Museum at Pensacola, Florida.
The B-47 Stratojet is one of the most important aircraft ever designed by The Boeing Company. It was the world's first large swept-wing aircraft, ushering in a long line of jet bombers and civil transports. During the Cold War in the 1950s, the B-47 became the backbone of the U.S. Air Force Strategic Air Command (SAC) medium-bomber fleet, a primary deterrent to nuclear war at a time when that possibility was most threatening.
At the end of World War II, Boeing engineers investigated German aeronautical technology, and it became apparent that a swept-wing configuration would enhance the performance of transonic aircraft. In a bold move, Boeing quickly tested and incorporated the concept into their XB-47 jet bomber design. In 1947, the B-47 emerged as the world's first large multi-engine swept-wing airplane -- a design configuration that became the standard for all modern jetliners. In addition to its 35-degree swept wings, the B-47 featured pod-mounted engines and "bicycle" landing gear, which marked a dramatic departure from existing aircraft designs. In all, 2,032 B-47s were produced by Boeing and under license by Lockheed and Douglas.
The B-47 was designed to drop nuclear weapons from high altitude, but was later adapted to use a fighter-type "bomb toss" technique at low level. The large, thin swept wing was the source of new problems such as high-speed aileron reversal and pitch-up, which were solved by incorporating spoilers and vortex generators. The B-47 was operated by a crew of three: pilot, co-pilot, and bombardier/navigator. The twin .50-caliber tail guns could be operated automatically using a dedicated radar or manually by the co-pilot. There were many B-47 refinements and variants during production, as well as conversions.
The Museum's B-47 was delivered to the U.S. Air Force as a B-47E from the Boeing plant in Wichita, Kansas. After serving with SAC from 1953 to 1963, the Museum's Stratojet was one of thirty-four B-47Es converted to a WB-47E and flew weather reconnaissance missions until retirement in 1969. The aircraft was the last B-47 to fly a weather reconnaissance mission on October 29, 1969. The next day, it was delivered to Boeing Field, Seattle for eventual display. It could be seen in outdoor storage there for decades. Following its restoration to the SAC B-47E configuration, it was moved to its permanent home in the Museum's Aviation Pavilion.
Although this aircraft served in the USAF during its career, administrative ownership of certain retired B-47s was transferred to the U.S. Navy. This aircraft is on loan from the National Naval Aviation Museum at Pensacola, Florida.
