North American Aviation B-45 Tornado Aircraft Manuals Collection

This comprehensive digital collection contains authentic technical documentation for the North American Aviation B-45 Tornado, America's first operational jet bomber. These original manuals provide detailed operational, maintenance, and technical information used by U.S. Air Force personnel during the aircraft's service life.

Manuals Included in This Collection:

• B-45A Aircraft Erection and Maintenance Instructions Manual - AN 01-60GFA-2, January 30, 1948 - Comprehensive maintenance procedures and technical specifications
• RB-45C Aircraft Flight Operating Instructions Manual - AN 01-60GFB-1, December 5, 1950 (Revised January 30, 1953) - Complete flight operations handbook for the reconnaissance variant
• B-45A-1, -5 & B-45C Aircraft Flight Operating Instructions Manual - AN 01-60GFA-1, December 20, 1949 - Flight procedures and operational guidelines for multiple variants

Historical Note: The B-45 Tornado - America's First Operational Jet Bomber

The North American B-45 Tornado holds a distinguished place in aviation history as the United States Air Force's first operational jet-powered bomber. Developed in the immediate post-World War II era, the B-45 represented a revolutionary leap forward in strategic bombing capability, bridging the gap between propeller-driven bombers and the jet age.

First flown on March 17, 1947, the B-45 was designed to meet the U.S. Army Air Forces' urgent requirement for a high-speed jet bomber capable of delivering nuclear weapons. North American Aviation's design featured four turbojet engines mounted in paired nacelles under a straight wing, a configuration that provided excellent performance while maintaining structural simplicity. The aircraft's sleek, streamlined fuselage and tricycle landing gear represented the cutting edge of aeronautical engineering in the late 1940s.

During the Korean War (1950-1953), the B-45 proved its worth in combat operations, conducting both tactical bombing missions and vital reconnaissance flights deep into enemy territory. The RB-45C reconnaissance variant became particularly significant, performing some of the most dangerous intelligence-gathering missions of the Cold War. These aircraft conducted clandestine overflights of Soviet territory and provided crucial photographic intelligence during a period of intense geopolitical tension.

The B-45 served with distinction in Strategic Air Command and Tactical Air Command units throughout the 1950s. A total of 142 aircraft were produced in several variants, including the B-45A bomber, the B-45C improved bomber with additional fuel capacity, and the RB-45C reconnaissance version equipped with sophisticated camera systems. The aircraft's operational ceiling of over 40,000 feet and maximum speed exceeding 500 mph made it a formidable platform for its era.

Though eventually superseded by more advanced designs like the Boeing B-47 Stratojet, the B-45 Tornado's legacy endures as a pioneering aircraft that helped establish jet bomber doctrine and operational procedures still relevant today. For aviation historians, restorers, and enthusiasts, these original technical manuals represent authentic documentation from a pivotal moment in military aviation history - the dawn of the jet age in strategic bombing.

What You'll Receive:

Instant digital download of all three manuals in PDF format, preserving the original technical drawings, specifications, procedures, and historical documentation exactly as used by U.S. Air Force personnel during the B-45's operational service.

Disclaimer: This item is sold for historical and reference only. These are either original or copies of manuals and blueprints used when these aircraft were in active duty, now transferred into electronic format. These manuals and blueprints are not meant to be used for current update material for certification/repair, but make an excellent reference for the scholar, collector, modeler or aircraft enthusiast. For proprietary reasons, we generally only provide civil manuals and blueprints on obsolete aircraft/engines/helicopters. The information is for reference only, and we do not guarantee the completeness, accuracy or currency of any manuals.

Reference herein to any specific commercial products by trade name, trademark, manufacturer, or otherwise, is not meant to imply or suggest any endorsement by, or affiliation with that manufacturer or supplier. All trade names, trademarks and manufacturer names are the property of their respective owners.