From 1956 this RB-47 performed secret ELINT missions over Soviet airspace with the 55th SRW from Forbes AFB, KS. Placed in storage at MASDC in December 1967, it was the last B-47 to serve. In 1968 it was sent to North American Aviation for testing by the Air Force Avionics Laboratory of the Forward Looking Advanced Multimode Radar (FLAMR) system for the F-111A. It was fitted with an F-111-type nose, operating till 1976 when retired to Eglin. The F-111 radome and stubby RB-47H nose was replaced by a standard B-47E nose, but not before I was able to capture this image in 1979

The last B-47 to serve the USAF, seen before the F-111 radar test nose was replaced by a standard B-47E unit (rather than the original stubby RB-47H nose)

Stored at Davis-Monthan AFB in 1965. Remains scrapped in 1990.

This RB-47H is one of the star attractions of the Armament Museum in Eglin.

3 Oct 1955: TOS USAF and assigned to the 55th SRW, Forbes AFB, KS. Deployed to several locations, including Incirlik Air Base, Turkey, and Yokota Air Base, Japan, and flew missions over the Soviet Union. 10/66: SOC. Donated to the city of Salina, KS; displayed with the International Society of Vehicle Preservation, Salina Airport (ex-Schilling AFB). The aircraft was vandalized and deteriorated badly over the years. 1998: Acquired by the Air Force Museum and began restoration. The nose section and engines were acquired from B-47E 52-0410. 3/03: Restoration completed and placed on display.

3 Oct 1955: TOS USAF and assigned to the 55th SRW, Forbes AFB, KS. Deployed to several locations, including Incirlik Air Base, Turkey, and Yokota Air Base, Japan, and flew missions over the Soviet Union. 10/66: SOC. Donated to the city of Salina, KS; displayed with the International Society of Vehicle Preservation, Salina Airport (ex-Schilling AFB). The aircraft was vandalized and deteriorated badly over the years. 1998: Acquired by the Air Force Museum and began restoration. The nose section and engines were acquired from B-47E 52-0410. 3/03: Restoration completed and placed on display.

1956: TOS USAF; assigned to the 55th Strategic Reconnaissance Wing, Forbes AFB, KS, where it spent its entire military career; flew several missions over Soviet air space.  29 Dec 1967: AMARC; last operational B-47 type. 16 Jul 1968: Bailed to North American Aviation; used as radar test bed for the F-111A, with its nose being replaced by F-111-like nose for testing. 8/72 to 3/76: Testing for the Forward-Looking Advanced Multimode Radar (FLAMR) program. 1976: Ferried to Eglin AFB, FL, for the Air Force Armament Museum.  The F-111 radome and stubby RB-47H nose was replaced by a B-47E nose.

In flight photo of a RB-47H after being modified in the "Silver King" program starting in 1961. The teardrop pod under the belly housed ELINT antennas and unfortunately in this photo the additional pylon antennas cannot be seen which were mounted beyond the outboard engines. Most probably assigned to the 55SRW during this time. The aircraft was sent to the boneyard Oct 6 1965. Photographer unknown

Marked as a "RB-47H-1-BW". The tail of RB-47H 0-34303 can be seen plus KC-135A 14837("KC-135A-BN-135") behind it.

Air Force Armament Museum - the nose, which had been modified to test the F111 radar, was removed and replaced with the nose from 51-5251 (hence showing 5251) at MASDC, present in 1981.

MASDC

Served with the 55th Strategic Recce Wing.

This was the last operational SAC Stratojet. Here it is in use for air testing the F-111 radar nose. Now preserved in standard format.

During the early Cold War years the USAF needed to be able to gather information, such as location, range and coverage, on Soviet radar capability. To meet this need the RB-47H was developed (from the B-47E) and this example came the the National Museum of the USAF in 1998 and following extensive restoration went on display in 2003. She was originally delivered in 1955 and served with the 55th Strategic Reconnaisance Wing until 1966.