Well At Least They Tried: Linemar's Boeing YB-52 Stratofortress

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