Canadian Warplanes 6: Canadair CL-52 Stratojet (Boeing B-47B)

Canadair CL-52 Stratojet (Boeing B-47B)

(DND Photo via James Craik)

Canadair CL-52 Stratojet (Boeing B-47B), (Serial No. X059), on loan to the RCAF to test the Orenda jet engine.

In 1956, an American Boeing B-47 Stratojet was loaned to the Royal Canadian Air Force to flight test the Iroquois jet engine for use in the Avro CF-105 Arrow.  Canadair, the sub-contractor, attached an Iroquois to the right side of the bomber's rear fuselage, near the tail, simply because there was no other place to mount it.  Designated CL-52 by Canadair, it was a nightmare to fly, since the thrust was asymmetrical; this created great problems for flight control.  After the Arrow project was cancelled, the B-47B/CL-52, which had logged about 35 hours of engine flight tests, was returned to the U.S and subsequently scrapped.  The CL-52 was the only B-47 used by any foreign service.

Canadair CL-52 Stratojet (Boeing B-47B), (1), (Serial 51-2059), later (Serial No. X059).

(RCAF Photos)

Boeing CL-52 Stratojet (B-47B) on loan to the RCAF to test the Orenda jet engine.

(Avro Photo)

Orenda Iroquois engine stand in the mid-1950s.

(Canadair Photo)

The only US Boeing B-47 Stratojet to be used by a foreign military was the RCAF (1956-1959). Designated the Canadair CL-52 B-47B 51-2059flew with registration X059 in Canada to test the Orenda Iroquois engine for the Avro Arrow. One of the Arrows is in the background. The airframe was heavily modified by Canadair so it was given a Canadair designation.

(Canadair Photo)

(Canadair Photo)

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