Boeing (Douglas) NB-47E 532104 Naval Air Test Center Patuxent River

These are 1/72 scale decals for Boeing (Douglas) NB-47E Stratojet 532104, operated by the Naval Air Test Center (NATC) at Naval Air Station Patuxent River, Maryland as a dedicated engine testbed for the General Electric TF34 turbofan — the engine that would power the S-3A Viking.

The NB-47E designation indicated a permanent modification that rendered the airframe unsuitable for return to its original bomber role — in this case, the installation of a TF34 test engine in a ventral pod or modified nacelle position, allowing Navy engineers to evaluate the engine under realistic flight conditions before it entered service aboard the Viking. The choice of the B-47 as a testbed was logical: its high-altitude performance, long range, and multi-engine configuration made it an ideal platform for sustained powerplant evaluation work.

The Naval Air Test Center at Patuxent River — "Pax River" — was and remains the Navy's premier flight test facility, responsible for evaluating every major naval aircraft and system before fleet introduction. This NB-47E played a direct role in clearing the TF34 for service, contributing to one of the most successful carrier-based ASW aircraft ever built. Serial 532104 wears an understated natural metal finish — a workmanlike scheme befitting a dedicated test asset rather than a front-line combat aircraft.

A rare and fascinating subject at the intersection of Air Force hardware and Navy test work. Please allow some time for decal printing and shipping.