Unlike the other aircraft I've covered, the YB-52 was neither a purely experimental aircraft, nor a failure.
It was one of the steps in the realization of a successful bomber designed in the '50s and still in use today. There were two prototype aircraft designated XB-52, both of which had a tandem seating arrangement in the cockpit covered by a framed bubble canopy. The second XB-52 incorporated more operational equipment and was designated the YB-52.
In February 1951, the Air Force updated the contract with Lockheed with new specifications and ultimately 50 B-52B's were built and delivered. These had the now iconic shape of the cockpit with side-by-side seating which flows into the aircraft fuselage. The Air Force intends to keep the B-52H in service until 2050 - 95 years after the first B-52 entered service!
The Linemar (the Japanese division of Marx) version is a tin-litho lover's dream. The last photo is one Bettina took over the house some years back. We see these several times a year as they arrive at Nellis AFB exercises.
From Vegas Skunk Works
Ed
USA
The toy YB-52 is sheer beauty! What a treasure! WOW!
ReplyDeleteThank you!
DeleteAn attractive piece of vintage tinplate!
ReplyDeleteThanx Tony - I do have more out in The Cave! :-)
DeleteAnother great vintage toy. The B-52 is a piece of aviation history, and this toy is a piece of B-52 history.
ReplyDeleteThanx Paul - yes on both counts. This was indeed a lucky find.
ReplyDelete