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From: Miloch <Miloch_member@newsguy.com>
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Subject: North American B-45 Tornado
Date: 20 Jul 2016 20:30:08 -0700
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https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/North_American_B-45_Tornado
The North American B-45 Tornado was the United States Air Force's (USAF) first
operational jet bomber, and the first multi-jet engined bomber in the world to
be refueled in mid-air. The B-45 was an important part of the United States's
nuclear deterrent for several years in the early 1950s, but was soon superseded
by the Boeing B-47 Stratojet. B-45s and RB-45s served in the United States Air
Force's Strategic Air Command from 1950 until 1959. It was also the first jet
bomber of the NATO Alliance, which was formed in 1949.
Role Strategic bomber
Manufacturer North American Aviation
First flight March 17, 1947
Introduction April 22, 1948
Retired 1959
Primary users United States Air Force
Royal Air Force
Produced 143
Unit cost US$1.1 million
The end of World War II resulted in the cancellation of many projects and
delayed many others. In 1946, rising tensions with the Soviet Union caused the
US Air Force to assign higher priorities to jet bomber development and
production. By mid-1946, the XB-45 and Convair XB-46 neared completion, but the
Boeing XB-47 and Martin XB-48 were still two years away. The USAAF chose to
evaluate the first two designs to determine which would be superior
operationally. The B-45 proved a superior design, and on January 2, 1947, a
contract for immediate production of B-45As was signed. It had been planned to
equip five light bomb groups and three light reconnaissance groups with B-45As,
but as the B-47's development and flight-testing made future production all but
certain, the future of the B-45 became increasingly uncertain, and in mid-1948
the U.S. Air Staff began to question its value. Soon afterwards, President
Truman's budget restraints reduced Air Force expenditure and B-45 production was
reduced to a total of 142 airframes. Further budget cuts in 1950 forced the
Aircraft and Weapons Board to cancel 51 of the 190 aircraft on order. The B-45
was later replaced by the supersonic Convair B-58 Hustler.
Specifications (B-45A)
General characteristics
Crew: four (Pilot, Co-Pilot, Bombardier-Navigator and Tail Gunner)
Length: 75 ft 4 in (22.96 m)
Wingspan: 89 ft 0 in (27.14 m)
Height: 25 ft 2 in (7.67 m)
Empty weight: 45,694 lb (20,726 kg)
Loaded weight: 81,418 lb (36,930 kg)
Max. takeoff weight: 110,000 lb (49,900 kg)
Performance
Maximum speed: 570 mph (500 kn, 920 km/h)
Range: 1,000 mi (870 nmi, 1,610 km)
Service ceiling: 46,400 ft (14,100 m)
Rate of climb: 5,950 ft/min (1,810 m/min)
Thrust/weight: 0.26
Armament
Bombs: 22,000 lb (10,000 kg)
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