Boeing WB-47E Stratojet

The Boeing WB-47E Stratojet was a weather reconnaissance variant of the B-47 bomber developed in the 1950s. The Air Force needed specialized aircraft for weather data collection and atmospheric research. Boeing converted existing B-47E bombers by removing bombing equipment and installing meteorological instruments. The first WB-47E entered service in 1953 with the Air Weather Service. These aircraft flew weather reconnaissance missions worldwide, including hurricane tracking and upper atmosphere research. The WB-47E used six General Electric J47-GE-25 turbojet engines, each producing 6,000 pounds of thrust. Its maximum speed was 607 mph at 16,300 feet, with a service ceiling of 40,500 feet. The WB-47E was retired in the early 1960s as newer aircraft took over weather duties.