For educational purposes<br /><br />Boeing continuing its legacy of manufacturing notable heavy bombers, developed the B-52 an aircraft used for over 35 years by the Strategic Command.<br /><br />This film traces that development showing B-45, B-48, XB-47, B-46, YB-60 and the jet-powered flying wing. <br /><br />The first flight of YB-52 through the various models to the shorter tail and turbo fan engine powered H, the last predoclos version. <br /><br />From bases in Guam, B-52s were used for tactical strikes in Vietnam and later from Thai- land, cutting sortie time. <br /><br />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.<br /><br />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 continuing and landing safely. <br /><br />Front line service for over 30 years, still flying and one of the Great Planes.
