Boeing’s engineers began designing the B-47 in the late 1940s. Their efforts were assisted by captured WWII German aircraft design data, leading to the first American all-jet, swept-wing bomber. It was a trailblazing aircraft design, and employed concepts that are still in use today. Although it was a medium bomber, its speed and maneuverability was better than some of the jet fighters of that day.
The first B-47 flew on December 17, 1947. It later replaced propeller-driven B-29s and B-50s in the medium bomber units of the USAF’s newly formed Strategic Air Command. Over 2,000 Stratojets were built between 1947 and 1957! By 1958, the USAF operated 28 B-47 bomb wings. The last Stratojet was phased out in 1965.
“Departing Sedalia”
“Departing Sedalia” features a Boeing B-47 Stratojet as she weaves through broken clouds flying above rich Missouri farmland fields while departing the airspace of what was formerly Sedalia AFB. B-47s were flown by the 340th Bomb Wing at what was first known as Sedalia AFB near Sedalia, Missouri. The 340th BW was at that time one of Strategic Air Command’s newest bombing wings, and the Stratojet was SAC’s first all-jet swept-wing bomber. The 340th BW received its first B-47 in March 1954. The base was renamed Whiteman AFB on December 3, 1955. The 340th BMW gradually phased out operations at Whiteman during 1963 and transferred to Bergstrom AFB in September 1963. Today, Whiteman AFB is home to the 509th Bomb Wing and the Northrop-Grumman B-2 Spirit stealth bomber.
“Departing Sedalia” is a 24X18 inch fine art print that is available at my Fine Art America page. It is also available as a limited run of 20 hand-signed and numbered limited edition prints that you can order only through my website store.
The B-47 Stratojet: Across the Great Divide
“Across the Great Divide” features two formations of B-47 Stratojets flying over the majestic Continental Divide. The title is also appropriate because the B-47 came at a crossroad between piston and jet engines, vacuum tubes and transistors, and “conventional” straight-winged aircraft design versus more efficient swept wings. Part of my inspiration for this piece was the Jimmy Stewart movie “Strategic Air Command.” The movie features spectacular aerial footage of Convair’s B-36 Peacemaker and Boeing’s B-47 Stratojet.
B-47 Stratojet Profile
This profile features B-47E-55-BW 51-2357. Boeing built this Stratojet in Wichita, Kansas, and it was assigned to Whiteman AFB near Sedalia, Missouri. The profile really emphasizes the clean lines of the B-47’s trailblazing design.
Related
Take a look at my artwork featuring another well known Boeing bomber, the B-52 Stratofortress.
