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Boeing B-47 Stratojet

Boeing · Bomber · USA · Early Jet (1946–1969)

The Boeing B-47 Stratojet was an American six-engine swept-wing jet bomber — the world's first in-service swept-wing jet bomber + the foundation of SAC's Cold War nuclear deterrent. George Schairer designed the B-47 in 1945-1947 (incorporating captured German swept-wing research); first flight 17 December 1947. About 2,032 B-47s were built between 1948 and 1957 at Boeing Wichita + Douglas Tulsa + Lockheed Marietta. The aircraft served USAF SAC + Air Materiel Command + 5 export operators 1951-1969.

The B-47E (most-numerous variant) used 6 × General Electric J47-GE-25 turbojet engines (7,200 lbf each) in podded paired-nacelles under the wings. Maximum speed 977 km/h, range 6,500 km, service ceiling 12,300 m. Bomb load 11,000 kg internal — sufficient for Mk 4 + Mk 5 + Mk 15 nuclear weapons. Crew: 3 (pilot + co-pilot + navigator/bombardier in tandem). The aircraft's defining features were the highly-swept wings (35°), thin highly-loaded wing skin requiring crosswind landing technique, and the bicycle landing gear with outrigger wheels at the wingtips.

B-47 service was foundational to SAC 1951-1965. About 1,800 B-47s formed SAC's principal nuclear-delivery fleet for the early Cold War — ready for emergency intercontinental nuclear strikes against Soviet targets. Reconnaissance variants (RB-47) flew Cold War long-range reconnaissance missions. The B-47 was replaced by the B-52 from 1955 onwards but continued in service through 1969. About 12 B-47 airframes survive in 2026 at American aviation museums.

For Kids — a shorter, friendlier version

The Boeing B-47 Stratojet was the world's first swept-wing jet bomber in service. It first flew in 1947 and entered service in 1951. The B-47 was the main American nuclear bomber in the early Cold War. About 2,032 B-47s were built between 1948 and 1957.

The B-47 has six General Electric J47 turbojet engines, hung in pairs under the wings. Top speed is 607 mph, faster than most race cars. The plane is 107 feet long with a 116-foot wingspan, longer than a Boeing 737. It carries up to 11,000 pounds of bombs in an internal bay.

The B-47 has two unusual features. The wings are swept back at 35 degrees, sharper than any earlier American bomber. The B-47 also has bicycle landing gear: two main wheels in a line under the body, plus small outrigger wheels under the wings. Most other planes have tricycle gear (three main spots), but the B-47's body was too thin.

About 1,800 B-47s formed the heart of the American Strategic Air Command from 1951 to 1965. Some were turned into spy planes called RB-47s. The B-47 was replaced by the bigger B-52, which is still flying today. About 12 B-47s survive in American aviation museums.

Fun Facts

The B-47 was the world's first swept-wing jet bomber in service.
It has six jet engines hung in pairs under the wings.
Top speed is 607 mph, faster than most race cars.
The B-47 has bicycle landing gear: 2 wheels in a line under the body.
About 2,032 B-47s were built between 1948 and 1957.
The B-47 was the main American Cold War bomber until the B-52 took over.
About 12 B-47s survive today in American museums.

Kids’ Questions

Why bicycle landing gear?

The B-47's body was very thin and the wings were thin too. There was no good place to hide normal landing gear that retracts into the body. Boeing put two wheels in a line under the body, like a bicycle, plus small outrigger wheels under the wings. This worked but made the B-47 tricky to land in crosswinds.

Why six engines?

In the late 1940s, jet engines were not very powerful. The B-47 needed a lot of thrust to lift its heavy load. Boeing used six smaller engines instead of two or four big ones because powerful engines did not exist yet. Hanging them in pairs under the wings was a new idea that became standard on later jet airliners.

How is it different from a B-52?

The B-52 is bigger, faster, and can fly farther than the B-47. The B-52 has eight engines, even more than the B-47's six. The B-47 was the first swept-wing jet bomber and led the way; the B-52 took over from 1955 onwards. The B-52 is still flying today, 70 years after the B-47 was retired.

Variants

B-47B / E (bomber): Standard SAC nuclear bombers. About 1,800 built.
RB-47 (reconnaissance): Cold War long-range reconnaissance variants. ~250 built.

Notable Operators

USAF SAC (1951-1965): Principal user. Cold War nuclear deterrent fleet. ~1,800 airframes.
USAF Air Materiel Command (test/training): Test programmes + crew training.

Frequently Asked Questions

Was the B-47 the first swept-wing jet?

The first in-service swept-wing jet bomber. The 35-degree wing sweep was based on captured German aerodynamic research; the B-47's 1947 first flight established swept-wing high-subsonic flight as the standard for all subsequent jet bombers + airliners. The Boeing 707 + B-52 + KC-135 directly descended from B-47 design principles.

Why does the B-47 have bicycle landing gear?

The thin highly-swept wing had no room for conventional wing-mounted main landing gear. Boeing's solution was a tandem (bicycle) main gear in the fuselage + small outrigger wheels at the wingtips. The configuration required specific crosswind landing technique — pilots could not crab into the wind because the bicycle gear required straight-ahead touchdowns. The configuration was unique among American jet bombers; the subsequent B-52 used a similar bicycle gear.

Sources

Wikipedia — Boeing B-47