The Boeing B47 Stratojet bomber was rolled out in 1947. Powered by 6 turbojets and 2 booster rockets it was the first of the jet bombers and was forerunner of the still-current B52.
How many of these planes were built and when were they dropped? Also, does anybody know what type of engines powered the type?
Thanks in advance. BTW, this promises to be a great new forum.
Trintocan.
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RE: Boeing B47 - Several Questions.
Trintocan...
There were 2032 B-47s. First one flew in 1946 & the last one built was in 1956. Boeing built 1373, Douglas built 274 & Lockheed built 385. They had six GE engines, from the J-35 thru the J-47 models. They were phased out because the newer B-52 were coming online.
Hope this helps. Regards. P.S. The "E" model was the most numerous of the type.
There were 2032 B-47s. First one flew in 1946 & the last one built was in 1956. Boeing built 1373, Douglas built 274 & Lockheed built 385. They had six GE engines, from the J-35 thru the J-47 models. They were phased out because the newer B-52 were coming online.
Hope this helps. Regards. P.S. The "E" model was the most numerous of the type.
RE: Boeing B47 - Several Questions.
Trintocan,
Approximately 2,000 B-47s were built. It was not the first American jet bomber, the North American B-45 holds that title. The B-47 production run was so large it also involved Stratojets being produced by Douglas and Lockheed.
Although you see photos of rocket assisted B-47 takeoffs, it is not accurate to say they were produced with two rockets. They actually used about 24 RATO bottles for these takeoffs, though it was not standard practice. Most of them were retired by 1965, with a few odd ones here and there straggling on longer, such as the one or two used by the Navy.
They were powered by 6 General Electric J-47 engines. Because of the slow spool up time of these early turbojets, it was common to see B-47s in the pattern shooting approaches with their drogue 'chute deployed as a means to keep speed down and engine RPM high.
TomH
Approximately 2,000 B-47s were built. It was not the first American jet bomber, the North American B-45 holds that title. The B-47 production run was so large it also involved Stratojets being produced by Douglas and Lockheed.
Although you see photos of rocket assisted B-47 takeoffs, it is not accurate to say they were produced with two rockets. They actually used about 24 RATO bottles for these takeoffs, though it was not standard practice. Most of them were retired by 1965, with a few odd ones here and there straggling on longer, such as the one or two used by the Navy.
They were powered by 6 General Electric J-47 engines. Because of the slow spool up time of these early turbojets, it was common to see B-47s in the pattern shooting approaches with their drogue 'chute deployed as a means to keep speed down and engine RPM high.
TomH
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RE: Boeing B47 - Several Questions.
Yes,I remember seeing B-47's with the small drag chute deployed during approaches to Elmendorf A.F.B. in the mid-sixties.
The bomber versions were retired in 1966,while reconnaissance and weather versions soldiered on into the mid-70's,at least.
The bomber versions were retired in 1966,while reconnaissance and weather versions soldiered on into the mid-70's,at least.
RE: Boeing B47 - Several Questions.
Guys,
The external fuel tanks on B-47s were huge, perhaps 2,000 US Gal. For some years, late 1950s to early 1960s, they were painted dayglo red. I assumed this was becuase of the increase in first-generation jet airliner traffic at altitudes where the B-47 operated.
Once I saw a wonderful 16mm film presented by a B-47 driver that showed the exceedingly complex means by which the external tank was jettisoned. Instead of the common practice of using explosive cartridges to seperate the tank from the pylon, a small parachute deployed from the back of the tank (or thereabouts) and smoothly pulled the tank off the pylon!
I may still have a series of B&W closeups I took of operational B-47s. If you are interested in seeing these, let me know and I'll try to upload them.
TomH
The external fuel tanks on B-47s were huge, perhaps 2,000 US Gal. For some years, late 1950s to early 1960s, they were painted dayglo red. I assumed this was becuase of the increase in first-generation jet airliner traffic at altitudes where the B-47 operated.
Once I saw a wonderful 16mm film presented by a B-47 driver that showed the exceedingly complex means by which the external tank was jettisoned. Instead of the common practice of using explosive cartridges to seperate the tank from the pylon, a small parachute deployed from the back of the tank (or thereabouts) and smoothly pulled the tank off the pylon!
I may still have a series of B&W closeups I took of operational B-47s. If you are interested in seeing these, let me know and I'll try to upload them.
TomH
RE: Boeing B47 - Several Questions.
Thanks a lot for the info. Do upload the pics TomH - that should make for great viewing.
Trintocan.
Trintocan.
RE: Boeing B47 - Several Questions.
Heares some pictures.
These are RATO takeoffs
http://www.wpafb.af.mil/museum/research/bombers/b4/b47a-3.jpg
http://www.wpafb.af.mil/museum/research/bombers/b4/b47b-3.jpg
http://www.wpafb.af.mil/museum/research/bombers/b4/b47e-2.jpg
Landing with drag chute
http://www.wpafb.af.mil/museum/research/bombers/b4/b47b-4.jpg
These are RATO takeoffs
http://www.wpafb.af.mil/museum/research/bombers/b4/b47a-3.jpg
http://www.wpafb.af.mil/museum/research/bombers/b4/b47b-3.jpg
http://www.wpafb.af.mil/museum/research/bombers/b4/b47e-2.jpg
Landing with drag chute
http://www.wpafb.af.mil/museum/research/bombers/b4/b47b-4.jpg
RE: Boeing B47 - Several Questions.
Does anyone know how I would post them on this forum?
RE: Boeing B47 - Several Questions.
Flight152,
Those RATO shots are dramatic pictures for sure, but I hope you realize this was not standard operation. I suspect the vast majority of B-47 pilots never experienced such a takeoff. I do believe that some B-47s on deployment to non US bases were standing nuclear alert with RATO bottles to assist in getting their heavy load airborn from runways shorter than those at SAC bases. Most SAC bases had runways of 11,000 feet and greater.
TomH
Those RATO shots are dramatic pictures for sure, but I hope you realize this was not standard operation. I suspect the vast majority of B-47 pilots never experienced such a takeoff. I do believe that some B-47s on deployment to non US bases were standing nuclear alert with RATO bottles to assist in getting their heavy load airborn from runways shorter than those at SAC bases. Most SAC bases had runways of 11,000 feet and greater.
TomH
RE: Boeing B47 - Several Questions.
TomH
I did realize that, it was mainly because of the early turbojet engines and because of the fact that their accerlation rate was slower. In fact on the B-47E the RATO bottles were jettisoned after use. The orignal Six General Electric J35-GE-7 axial flow turbojets only had 4,000 lbs. thrust each. Later more powerful General Electric J47-GE-11 axial flow turbojet engines of 5,200 lbs. thrust each were fitted. 7,200 lb thrust turbofan engines were later fitted.
I did realize that, it was mainly because of the early turbojet engines and because of the fact that their accerlation rate was slower. In fact on the B-47E the RATO bottles were jettisoned after use. The orignal Six General Electric J35-GE-7 axial flow turbojets only had 4,000 lbs. thrust each. Later more powerful General Electric J47-GE-11 axial flow turbojet engines of 5,200 lbs. thrust each were fitted. 7,200 lb thrust turbofan engines were later fitted.
RE: Boeing B47 - Several Questions.
Flight152,
Right, the B-47E had the RATO bottles fitted to an external yoke, and the whole thing was jettisoned after takeoff. I think it was the B-47Bs that had the sleek internal mounting for the RATO.
You're likely to find find the XB-47 may have originally flown with J-35s, and all other versions, certainly those that saw operational service, flew with J-47s.
I am not aware of a turbofan-powered B-47. Did one fly as en engine test bed?
Have you seen any shots of B-47s with the HUGE Bell Rascal missile? I don't believe it became an operational system, but I think the Rascal was a liquid-fuel "stand-off" type weapon.
TomH
Right, the B-47E had the RATO bottles fitted to an external yoke, and the whole thing was jettisoned after takeoff. I think it was the B-47Bs that had the sleek internal mounting for the RATO.
You're likely to find find the XB-47 may have originally flown with J-35s, and all other versions, certainly those that saw operational service, flew with J-47s.
I am not aware of a turbofan-powered B-47. Did one fly as en engine test bed?
Have you seen any shots of B-47s with the HUGE Bell Rascal missile? I don't believe it became an operational system, but I think the Rascal was a liquid-fuel "stand-off" type weapon.
TomH
RE: Boeing B47 - Several Questions.
I have found some pictures of the RASCAL Missile:
http://www.wpafb.af.mil/museum/research/bombers/b4/ydb47e-1.jpg
http://www.wpafb.af.mil/museum/research/bombers/b4/ydb47e-2.jpg
http://www.wpafb.af.mil/museum/research/bombers/b4/db47e-1.jpg
http://www.wpafb.af.mil/museum/research/bombers/b4/db47e-2.jpg
http://www.wpafb.af.mil/museum/research/bombers/b4/ydb47e-1.jpg
http://www.wpafb.af.mil/museum/research/bombers/b4/ydb47e-2.jpg
http://www.wpafb.af.mil/museum/research/bombers/b4/db47e-1.jpg
http://www.wpafb.af.mil/museum/research/bombers/b4/db47e-2.jpg
RE: Boeing B47 - Several Questions.
Those are good pictures, the RASCAL, orignally designated XB-63 was an air to surface supersonic missile. It contained a nuclear warhead and was ment to be fired up to 100 miles from the target to protect the crews of the bombers. Testing continusd in the 1950's and was dropped for the Boeing AGM-28 Hound Dog missile.
RE: Boeing B47 - Several Questions.
When the present-day air launched cruise missile
(ALCM) was being tested it was all the buzz in the media. I was amused that the news people seemed to have no collective memory of the Hound Dog, an earlier cruise missile that was very succesful.
When the Hound Dog was being tested, I was able to write to Eglin AFB and get specially-embossed postal covers stamped on the date of a launch. I should dig those up and scan them for upload.
TomH
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