Great Planes: B-52 Stratofortress (VHS, 1988) PAL.

B-52 STRATOFORTRESS

Boeing Aircraft Company

Boeing, continuing its legacy of manufacturing

notable heavy bombers, developed the B-52, an

aircraft used for over 35 years by the Strategic Air

Command. This film traces that development

showing B-45, B-48, XB-47, B-46, YB-60 and the

jet-powered flying wing. The first flight of YB-52

through the various models to the shorter tail and

turbo fan engine powered H, the last production

version. From bases in Guam, B-52s were used for

'tactical strikes' in Vietnam and later from Thai-

land, cutting sortie time. Capable of tremendous

destructive power, B-52s take part in Operation

Linebacker. Raids into the north were not without

losses as the Communists used every available

SAM to prevent them. Witness low level flight and

the loss of most of the vertical fin and rudder of an

H model on a research flight, the aircraft con-

tinuing and landing safely. Front line service for

over 30 years, still flying and one of the Great

Planes.

Cs46