Salvaged from NAWS China Lake, CA and brought to the museum in 1980. For reasons unknown it has been fitted with a B-45C canopy.

The first prototype B-45 Tornado, first flown from Muroc Field on 2 April 1947.

Wfu in 1958.

47-089 served with the 84th BS, 47th BW in 1952. Withdrawn from operational use at RAF Sculthorpe May 13, 1958 and to Etain AB, France for fire practice use.

In September 1950 this Tornado joined the 2750th Air Base Wing (Air Materiel Command), Wright-Patterson AFB. In April 1951 it was transferred to Headquarters Air Research and Development Command, also at Wright-Patterson AFB and modified for various in flight test programs including jet engine testing, avionics upgrades and new reconnaissance equipment. In November 1971 it was SOC as the last RB-45 in service and is now on display in the Strategic Air Command and Space Museum at Ashland.

The B-45 was a plane of many firsts; the first US four-engined bomber to fly, the first US production jet bomber, the first jet capable of carrying a nuclear bomb and the first multi-jet reconnaisance aircraft to refuel in midair. This example was flown to the National Museum of the USAF in 1971 and wears markings of the 47th BW (light).

B-45A Tornado of 86 Tactical Bomb Squadron, 47 Bomb Wing, based at RAF Alconbury, on show at the 1956 Burtonwood Armed Forces Day display. Serial on fin is '7047' the permitted minimum number of figures at that time.

North American's B-45 was the first jet bomber for the USAF, serving SAC from 1950 till 1959, but quickly superseded in the nuclear role during the early 50s by the B-47 Stratojet. A total of 143 were built, most 'C' models being completed as RB-45C reconnaissance aircraft, although this example was used latterly by Pratt & Whitney for engine testing, being flown to the Museum in 1971. Now housed inside in the marks of 47th BW (Light), which based B-45s at RAF Sculthorpe from 1952-58

Although not very succesful, the Tornado was America's first operational jet bomber. This is one of only three surviving B-45s.