10/20/2026
We had a rewarding experience at the Combat Air Museum yesterday.
Erich contacted the Combat Air Museum last week and asked if we had any information about the crash of a 55th Strategic Reconnaissance Wing (SRW) RB-47K Stratojet at Forbes Air Force Base on September 27, 1962. We found a book entitled “We See All: Pictorial History of the 55th Strategic Reconnaissance Wing” which contained four pages and several photos related to the mishap.
He visited our museum on Monday to see what we had. In 1962, the 55th was the premier reconnaissance wing in Strategic Air Command; the Cold War was well underway and getting hotter. The 55th flew missions deep into Soviet airspace, conducting photographic and electronic reconnaissance to assess and confirm Soviet capabilities and to determine the best routes for NATO bombers to follow should it become necessary to use them in anger.
In late September of 1962, the 55th had begun flying sorties over Cuba to confirm intelligence about Soviet nuclear armed missiles being based on the island. On September 27, 1962, RB-47K serial number 53-4279 lined up on runway 31 at Forbes to depart for an overflight of the island. The RB-47 was full of fuel and had a crew of four aboard; each of its six General Electric J47 turbojet engines with water injection only provided 5,970 pounds of thrust on takeoff. Runway 31 is 12,800 feet long and a fully loaded Stratojet needed every inch of the runway to safely become airborne.
Tragedy struck as the heavily laden aircraft was halfway down the runway. The outboard right-hand engine failed, followed shortly by the deployment of one of its two drag chutes. The aircraft veered sharply to the north, crossed the perimeter road, and exploded just inside the perimeter fence, killing the crew immediately. The post-crash fire consumed the aircraft, leaving only the wings and a part of the horizontal stabilizer. 279 and her crew were one of three aircraft and crews lost in a four-week period.
Erich’s uncle, Lieutenant Paul Greenawalt, was the copilot. Erich never got to meet him, but his uncle inspired Erich’s interest in military service and aviation. After retiring from the military, Erich now flies for a major airline.
We shared his story with the Metropolitan Topeka Airport Authority, and they kindly drove Erich to the crash site. There is nothing visible today to indicate the tragedy that took place on that spot on the east side of the airport, but Erich appreciated the opportunity to visit it and reflect on his uncle’s service during a dangerous period in our nation’s history.
