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Aviation History
1955
1955 - 0388.PDF
A North American B-45 Tornado at readiness at its dispersal. 47th Bombardment Wing (Light) History and Equipment of the American B-45 Bomber Unit Based in Norfolk k MONG a number of AmericanAir Force units based in this country is one whose presence has so far received little publicity, despite the fact that it is still, three years after its arrival here, the only four-jet bomber unit to be opera- tional in England. It is the 47th Bombardment Wing (Light), whose three squadrons of North American B-45s Tornadoes are based at Sculthorpe, Norfolk, together with the headquarters of the parent formation, the 49th Air Division. The division's other wings, also in East Anglia, are at present completing conversion to Republic F-84Fs. Flight recently obtained permission to visit the wing at its base,and went there expecting to find a carefully organized unit concentrating a great deal of care and technical knowledge on theoperation of a large jet bomber. The organization and the technical knowledge were everywhere in evidence and unequalledin quality, but the large jet bomber was not such a complicated mystery as some people had suggested. It has, in fact, been inservice with the wing for no less than six years; it is well known and liked; and, but for the fact that it is powered by four jet engines,it is entirely conventional in handling. At Sculthorpe, the wing has set up a complete township of itsown, on the same pattern as a comparable R.A.F. bomber station but on a larger scale. To a certain extent, the American com-munity shares in the day-to-day affairs of the countryside. (It may not be realized that during the great floods of early 1953 abouta dozen American Servicemen and civilians lost their lives. The station personnel characteristically organized rescue services in thearea, and one of them, Sgt. Leeming, was awarded the George Cross in recognition of his gallant efforts.) Incidentally, a series of sonic booms, which may originate fromaircraft of the neighbouring Central Fighter Establishment at West Raynham, have been blamed on the U.S.A.F., and it appearsthat some trouble has been experienced in convincing local inhabitants that the B-45 is in no way capable of such performance.Even while speaking to the CO., Flight's representatives were soundly shaken by a splendid double boom, and were assured thata complaint could be expected to follow at Sculthorpe rather than at West Raynham. The 47th Wing is organized on the wing-base pattern evolvedafter World War 2, so that the base is run by the unit which operates there. The commander of the wing, Col. D. M. Jones,is therefore also in charge of the base, and all ground units are an integral part of the wing organization. Deputy to Col. Jonesis Col. J. Glover, and both are supported by the wing staff. The position equivalent to that of wing commander, flying, at an R.A.F.station is that of deputy for operations, Col. G. B. Price. Three groups directly responsible to these are the flying wing,the maintenance and supply group and the base personnel group. The bomber squadrons themselves are the 84th (Lt-Col. R. L.Fitzgerald), the 85th (Maj. R. E. Grover) and the 86th (Lt-Col. E. Miller). Their aircraft are respectively distinguished by red,yellow and blue diagonal flashes on the fins and rudders. The operational strength of the wing is between 40 and 50aircraft, each squadron having in addition two Lockheed T-33As for instrument training. There are also a number of transportaircraft on the station, including some Fairchild C-119Gs, a Colonel D. M. Jones, commander of the 47th Bombardment Wing with, left, his deputy for operations, Colonel G. B. Price.
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