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North American’s oft Overlooked B-45 Tornado.
In the waning months of World War 2, the jet engine had been developed into a reliable propulsion source, and while nations began building arsenals of advanced jet-powered fighter and interceptor aircraft, the United States Army Air Force (USAAF) possessed a fleet of aging piston engine bombers that would be easy targets. In response to the increasing development of jet propulsion in fighter aircraft, the USAAF Air Material Command initiated a competition in 1944 for a new bomber.
Convair, Boeing, Martin, and North American Aviation all submitted designs, with each one making their initial flights in 1947. These aircraft became known as the ‘Class of ‘47’.
theaviationist.com
The XB-45, also known inside North American as the NA-130, first flew on Mar. 17, 1947, with test pilot George Krebs at the controls along with Paul Brewer at Muroc Dry Lake (Edwards Air Force Base), California. It was the first aircraft of the Class of ’47 to take to the air, and the first American bomber powered by four jet engines to achieve flight-test status.
en.wikipedia.org
Cutaway drawing of an XB-45 showing crew locations, engine configuration, tail armament, fuel storage, and
retracted landing gear along with internal structure details. (Image Credit: United States Air Force)
After filling important roles in the early days of the Cold War, the B-45 would eventually surrender most of its duties as a nuclear deterrent to a Soviet ground invasion in Europe and flying highly classified reconnaissance flights to the more capable and advanced Boeing B-47. An interesting and important part of aviation history, the B-45 faded into oblivion.
In the waning months of World War 2, the jet engine had been developed into a reliable propulsion source, and while nations began building arsenals of advanced jet-powered fighter and interceptor aircraft, the United States Army Air Force (USAAF) possessed a fleet of aging piston engine bombers that would be easy targets. In response to the increasing development of jet propulsion in fighter aircraft, the USAAF Air Material Command initiated a competition in 1944 for a new bomber.
Convair, Boeing, Martin, and North American Aviation all submitted designs, with each one making their initial flights in 1947. These aircraft became known as the ‘Class of ‘47’.
The B-45 Tornado: North American’s oft Overlooked Class of ’47 Bomber
During a relatively obscure service life, often overshadowed by the Boeing B-47, the North American B-45 made a significant contribution to the U.S. Air
theaviationist.com
The XB-45, also known inside North American as the NA-130, first flew on Mar. 17, 1947, with test pilot George Krebs at the controls along with Paul Brewer at Muroc Dry Lake (Edwards Air Force Base), California. It was the first aircraft of the Class of ’47 to take to the air, and the first American bomber powered by four jet engines to achieve flight-test status.
North American B-45 Tornado - Wikipedia
Cutaway drawing of an XB-45 showing crew locations, engine configuration, tail armament, fuel storage, and
retracted landing gear along with internal structure details. (Image Credit: United States Air Force)
After filling important roles in the early days of the Cold War, the B-45 would eventually surrender most of its duties as a nuclear deterrent to a Soviet ground invasion in Europe and flying highly classified reconnaissance flights to the more capable and advanced Boeing B-47. An interesting and important part of aviation history, the B-45 faded into oblivion.
