What led up to our current terrible condition is the stuff of legend.
Far less known is a bit of nuclear brinksmanship that would have far-reaching consequences.
At the center was a new aircraft, the CIA-47.
It all started when the President went against his own cabinet and sent CIA recon flights over the U.S.S.R.
Things did not go well. The Soviets didn't know the aircraft were unarmed and thinking they were bombers, went on full nuclear alert. This caused the U.S. to go on alert as well. The President, known for his love of all things Scandinavian, was forced to evacuate his sauna in only a towel. Once the alert was over, the mood remained tense.
To say the CIA Director was under immense pressure over the recon flights would be putting it mildly.
The upshot was a Presidential order that all CIA spy planes be clearly marked so the Soviets wouldn't confuse them with bombers if spotted. Hidden in the new markings budget were funds so the CIA could have its own, dedicated recon platform. The good people of Boeing got to work.
After a healthy amount of billable man hours were accrued by the Boeing Design Dept., the mixed-propulsion Boeing CIA 47 was presented and ordered into production right off the drawing board.
Boeing tweaked their famous B-47 to be powered by four Major F Sharp Minor engines in push-pull configuration with the added power of two large wingtip jets. Not only would the jets help add speed and ceiling, but mounted as they were, they also provided outstanding yaw control which is invaluable in a recon platform.
The CIA was thrilled to finally have a plane it could call its own. The new CIA 47 offered exceptional range and could loiter on station almost as needed. Outfitted with the best cameras and electronic interception gear, soon the CIA was once again gathering valuable intelligence from behind (and above) the Iron Curtain.
While flight crew appreciated the new aircraft, the bold, new CIA markings took a little getting used to.
However, the pilots were used to overcoming adversity and bravely soldiered on.
The CIA got good at invading enemy airspace in their state-of-the-art photo recon/ELINT bird. Their top-secret missions remained unmolested by the Red Air Force.
As events would soon prove, pride goeth before a fall.
More to follow...
Brian da Basher
