American postwar aircraft

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North American B-45 Tornado

The North American Aviation B-45 was one of America's first operational bombers to employ jet propulsion and was the first four-jet aircraft to fly in the United States.

It´s first flight was Feb. 24, 1947 Other versions include the longer-range B-45C with wing-tip tanks and the photo reconnaissance version, the RB-45C. Rated as a light bomber by modern-day standards, it was the first four-jet aircraft to drop an atom bomb and the first to be refueled in midair.

General characteristics
Primary function	Light bomber
Contractor	North American Aviation
Power plant	Four General Electric J47A jet engines with water injection. First 22 produced with Allison J35 engines.
Speed	575 mph	925 km/h
Ceiling	45,000 ft	13,700 m
Max. range	1,910 miles	3,056 km
Payload	20,000 lb	9,070 kg
Max. weight	82,600 lb	37,500 kg
Crew	Four (pilot, co-pilot, navigator/bombardier, tail gunner)
Armament	Two M3 .50 caliber machine guns in tail & 9 900 kg (22 000 lb) of ordnance including 27 225 kg (500 lb) GP bombs some aircraft capable of carrying Mk5 or Mk7 nuclear bombs.
Number built	143

Jirka Wagner