Boeing B-47E Stratojet
The Boeing B-47, the world's first
swept-wing bomber, made its initial flight on Dec. 17, 1947 and quantity
deliveries began in 1951. When production ended in 1957, more than 1,200
Stratojets were serving with the Strategic Air Command at USAF bases
throughout the world. By the late 1960s, the B-47 was obsolete and was
removed from operational service.
The B-47 normally carried a crew of
three--pilot, co-pilot (who operated the tail turret by remote control),
and an observer who also served as navigator, bombardier and radar
operator. In the RB-47 reconnaissance version, the navigator also operated
the camera equipment.
SPECIFICATIONS
Span: 116 ft.
Length: 107 ft. 1 in.
Height: 28 ft.
Weight: 226,000 lbs. max.
Armament: Two M-24 20mm cannons in tail turret plus bombs--nuclear
of 10,000 lbs. of conventional bombs
Engines: six General Electric J47s of 7,200 lbs. thrust ea.
Cost: $1,888,000
PERFORMANCE
Maximum speed: 610 mph.
Cruising speed: 560 mph.
Range: 3,500 miles
Service Ceiling: 39,300 ft.
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