The B-47 Strato Jet Bomber

[branch37]

My grandfather would strongly disagree with you on the statement that no B-47s ever saw action.  He served as a navigator on an RB-47 for nearly 15 years. 

[Gman]

Walter J Boyne is a great author.  Clash of Wings is an excellent synopsis type book of air combat during WW2, a 400 ish page book that tries to cover everything, and does a good job at it.

The B47 seems like a B52 sized bomber with a fighter size cockpit stuck on top.  It must have been a trip to sit up in that fighter cockpit with this massive airliner sized plane under and behind you.  I've read about their low altitude penetration techniques, and pop up dive tosses as well.  Quite an aircraft in its day, I would love to see one up close, or even fly sometime.

[Brooke]

For anyone visiting Seattle, WA, there is a B-47 at the Museum of Flight.



The Museum of Flight also has an outstanding WWII fighter collection.

[Rich46yo]

My grandfather would strongly disagree with you on the statement that no B-47s ever saw action.  He served as a navigator on an RB-47 for nearly 15 years. 

I know there was one incident in the early '60s when SAC had some kind of communications foul up, or NORAD did, and all the Bomber got the "go" signal and were taxi'ing down the runways before they were called back. Including many B-47s. I'd say that constitutes "action". Practice drills didnt happen like that. If the klaxons went off with no warning, and the planes were rolling down the taxi ways, then it was for real.

Accidental war was probably more of a danger back then then actual war was.

[branch37]

My grandfathers plane was shot at on many different occasions by SAMs over Vietnam and Mig-15s IIRC.  I think he even saw a few Mig-21s from time to time.  I would have to confirm that with him to be sure.

[earl1937]

My grandfathers plane was shot at on many different occasions by SAMs over Vietnam and Mig-15s IIRC.  I think he even saw a few Mig-21s from time to time.  I would have to confirm that with him to be sure.

I don't really know but the official Air Force records are the source for "saw no combat".

[Rich46yo]

I don't really know but the official Air Force records are the source for "saw no combat".

I think a few airframes shot pictures in 'nam. Dont quote me on that but I know there was a recce version.

[earl1937]

I think a few airframes shot pictures in 'nam. Dont quote me on that but I know there was a recce version.

You raise a good point and I am not sure at what point, when getting shot at, the Air Force or military considers that as "combat action"! I have always been under the impression that if a war was "declared", by the powers that be, then, if you were getting shot at, I guess that would qualify for "combat action"!
Personally, I doubt if any of those guys between WW2, and Korea, which were getting chased and shot at by the Russians, would argued the point one way or the other! As far as I am concerned, when flying over the Japan sea, at night, about 28K, and CFC is tracking two MIG-17's about 30 miles behind you and closing, and you know that you are real close to the 15 mile international limit off North Korea, and your rear end is so puckered that you couldn't drive a 20 penny nail in it with a 5 lb hammer, and you are praying that those two pilots also knew where the 15 mile limit was,  that to me, sir was combat! LOL

[63tb]

Anyone remember the old "Steve Canyon" TV show in the late 50's? He flew F-102s.

One episode was were a B-47 left it's patrol route, with no communication, and was heading towards Russia (Siberia I think). Steve Canyon was sent up to see what was wrong and saw both the pilot and copilot dead in their seats due to some decompression accident. He was ordered to shoot the B-47 down even though he couldn't confirm the whether the navigator was also dead.

Cool show.

63tb