Boeing B-52 Stratofortress
Davies, Peter E. - Thronborough, Tony - (with Tony Cassanova)
Crowood Aviation Series
First Edition
The Boeing B-52 Stratofortress looks set to continue in service well into the next Century: in some projections its retirement date could be as late as 2030. Statistically, this equates to the RAF still flying the Sopwith Camel as a front-line type in 1993 - except that the B-52 will still be a very potent weapon. Originally designed to replace the Boeing B-50, a development of the B-29 that had dropped the atomic bombs in World War Two, the B-52 was originally sketched with turboprop engines; however, the introduction of the crucial Pratt and Whitney J57 turbojet gave the new aircraft the power and fuel economy it needed. Powered by eight of these engines, the YB-52 first flew on 15 April 1952 and the bomber entered service with Strategie Air Command in June 1955.
The B-52 became the backbone of Strategie Air Command's nuclear strike force, remaining on constant alert to counter possible Soviel threats, but it was over Vietnam - using conventional weapons - that the B-52 saw its severest test in the world's most heavily defended skies.
The bomber has been progressively updated with improved self-protection and weapons. The final model, the B-52H, has more efficient turbofan engines and it too has seen active service, launching cruise missiles against Iraq.
Peter Davies and Tony Thornborough (with Tony Cassanova) tell the story of the design, development and operational use of the B-52 during ist outstanding career in their second book in the Crowood Aviation Series. With many rare and unpublished photographs, and first-hand accounts from over forty aircrew and maintainers, the book describes what it is like to fly and fight in the B-52. In-depth details of the aircraft, ist equipment and many of the little-known aspects of ist operational use complete this remarkable story.
Hardcover with dust jacket, large format
176 Seiten / pages
many photos
good condition
Wiltshire, England - 1998 - The Crowood Press
Art.Nr. 23791
