NORTH AMERICAN JB-45A
The last production B-45A (S/N 47-096) was converted for use as an in-flight engine test aircraft and redesignated JB-45A (J for temporary test status). The test engine was attached to a retractable pylon mounted in the modified bomb bay. Once the aircraft was airborne the test engine was lowered into the slipstream and started. Test equipment carried on the aircraft measured various performance parameters under differing flight conditions (speed, altitude, etc.)
| Type |
Number built/
converted |
Remarks |
| JB-45A |
1 (cv) |
Jet engine test aircraft |
TECHNICAL NOTES (for production B-45A):
Armament: Two .50-cal. machine guns with 600 rounds each in the tail and up to 22,000 lbs. of bombs (loads included one 22,000-lb. "Grand Slam" or one 12,000-lb. "Tall Boy" or 14 1,000-lb. general purpose bombs)
Bomb load: 10,000 lbs.
Engines: Two General Electric J47-GE-7 or -13 and two General Electric J47-GE-9 or -15 axial flow turbojets of 5,820 lbs. thrust each (-7 or -13) and 6,000 lbs. thrust each (-9 or -15); Optional Assisted Take Off rockets were two Aerojet XLR13-AJ-1 of 4,000 lbs. thrust each with 60-second duration.
Maximum speed: 492 knots at 4,000 ft. maximum power (combat weight)
Combat speed: 440 knots at combat weight
Range: 1,036 nautical miles (Basic Mission I); 1,886 nautical miles maximum ferry range
Service ceiling: 48,500 ft. (maximum power, combat weight of 50,305 lb., 100 fpm, ferry mission)
Span: 89 ft. 0 in.
Length: 75 ft. 3 in.
Height: 25 ft. 2 in.
Weight: 91,775 lbs.
Take-off weight: 81,418 lbs.
Crew: Four (pilot, copilot-radio operator, bombardier-navigator, tail gunner)
Serial number: 47-096
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