“Across the Great Divide” features two formations of Strategic Air Command 340th Bomb Wing Boeing B-47 Stratojet flying across the majestic snow-covered peaks of the Continental Divide. The title is appropriate because Boeing produced the B-47 at a crossroad between straight and swept wings, jet engines versus pistons, and transistors versus vacuum tubes. Many of the electronic systems were a mix of equipment, some of which were transistorized, while others used vacuum tubes.

These B-47s were all flown by the 340th Bomb Wing at what was first known as Sedalia AFB near Sedalia, Missouri. The 340th BW was at that time one of Strategic Air Command’s newest bombing wings, and the Stratojet was SAC’s first all-jet bomber. The 340th BW received its first B-47 in March 1954. The base was renamed Whiteman AFB on December 3, 1955. The 340th BMW gradually phased out operations at Whiteman during 1963 and transferred to Bergstrom AFB in September 1963.

Today, Whiteman AFB is home to the 509th Bomb Wing and the Northrop-Grumman B-2 Spirit stealth bomber. The Northrop-Grumman B-21 Raider will be assigned there as they become available.

Boeing engineers began developing the B-47 in the late 1940s. Captured WWII German aircraft design data informed and assisted them, leading to the first American all-jet, swept-wing bomber. The trailblazing aircraft design employed concepts that are still in use today. Its speed and maneuverability rivaled some of the jet fighters of that period.

The first B-47 flew on December 17, 1947. It later replaced B-29s and B-50s in the medium bomber units of the newly formed Strategic Air Command. Over 2,000 Stratojets were built between 1947 and 1957! The USAF operated 28 B-47 bomb wings by 1958. The last Stratojet was phased out in 1965.

“Across the Great Divide” is a limited edition 24X18 inch fine art giclee print. Only 20 are available. Each is hand-signed and numbered. Each is printed on 60 lb. acid-free archival paper so the print colors stay vibrant for many years to come if properly cared for. Each print comes with a Certificate of Authenticity bearing my signature, the print number, and other information.

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Find out more about the B-47 Stratojet here, at the National Museum of the United States Air Force.

Take a look at my artwork featuring the Stratojet’s successor, the Boeing B-52 Stratofortress.