B-47B Stratojet

The advancement of design and science during World War II changed the face of military aviation as the county entered the age of the Cold War.  As jet propulsion began development during the early 1940s, the U.S. military – especially the Army Air Force – were interested in harnessing this power for long-range needs, such as reconnaissance and possible bombing.  The year after the end of the war, the USAAF requested prototypes to be developed.  They needed it to use the new jet technology, fly at high altitudes at subsonic speeds, and should incorporate swept wings originally developed by the German military.

Boeing answered the call with two XB-47s and launched the first flight in late December 1947.  The competition was stiff with North American Aviation (XB-45), Convair (XB-46), and the Glenn Martin Co. (XB-48) all producing similar designs around the same time.  The USAAF chose the B-47 and opted to order only ten planes.  Their speed, design, and capabilities were welcomed and soon the order was expanded.

The B-47 would formally enter service in 1951 as part of the Strategic Air Command’s repertoire, ultimately numbering over 2,000 produced planes to meet the Air Force’s demands.  Nearly 30 variants were developed, which included bombers, reconnaissance, training, and even refueling.  While many of these prototypes never made it out of the testing phase, they showcased to the military the power of the B-47.  The Royal Canadian Air Force even borrowed a B variant to test their Orenda engines, and the plane was scrapped upon return.  The RCAF is the only other country to fly the B-47.

For all of its strengths, the Stratojet was finicky, a slow take-off paired with a fast landing meant that the plane’s crews had to be skilled and experienced.  The best of these pilots would often be recruited for other planes in the SAC program like the B-58 Hustler.  Eventually stress on the frame would result in several overhauls in 1958, primarily focused on wing mountings.  Despite this, the B-47’s incident record is a long one, with many of them killing the crew and in some cases civilians

One of these incidents led to one Capt. John Lappo never flying with the USAF again.  With his additional crewmen, Capt. Lappo flew his B-47 underneath Michigan’s famed Mackinac Bridge.  While certainly a feat of flying and made for a great story, the USAF was less than enthused.  Capt. Lappo was court marshalled and grounded for life after the incident.

By the middle of the 1960s, the B-47’s numbers were dwindling due in part to technological advancements and other planes coming into service.  The last of the Stratojets left service in 1966, mostly as trainers.  The last flight of any B-47 was conducted in 1986 when one was restored enough to fly from China Lake, CA to Castle Air Museum.

Today, only twenty-three of the original 2,043 remain and all are currently in the care of museums like the GAM.