North American B-45 Tornado

The North American B-45 Tornado was an early American jet bomber designed and manufactured by North American Aviation. It was the first operational jet bomber to enter service with the United States Air Force and the first multiengine jet bomber to be refuelled in midair, and it was the second American jet bomber after the Douglas XB-43 Jetmaster. It grew from a wartime War Department call for a jet bomber to match those fielded by Germany, and North American received the contract for its NA-130 proposal in 1944. The prototype first flew in February 1947 and the type entered service in April 1948, although poor engine reliability troubled its early operations. The Air Force used it during the Korean War, and the RB-45C reconnaissance variant flew over hostile territory.