26 B-47 Stratojet Boeing produced the world’s first large, swept-wing jet for the U.S. Air Force, and its revolutionary design directly contributed to the development of the modern commercial jetliner. The B-47’s swept wings were angled back at about 35 degrees; another key innovation was placing the engines on pylons beneath the wings, enclosed in pods. The six-engine bomber flew for the first time on Dec. 17, 1947. The B-47 was followed by Boeing’s B-52, which became the mainstay heavy bomber for the U.S. Air Force and is still in service today. Every large swept-wing jet is a descendant of the B-47. •
Frontiers July 2016 Issue
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