The B-52 Story

The B-52 first flew on April 15, 1952. During the Cold War, Strategic Air Command's fleet of B-52s were at a moment's readiness to make a one-way trip to targets in the Soviet Union and the road to perdition, or destruction. SAC's motto was "Peace Is Our Profession," although General Curtis E. LeMay maintained they were already "at war." The B-52 symbolized America's nuclear defense posture in the Cold War with the Soviet Union. Dr. Strangelove appeared in 1963, a searing black comedy featuring B-52s in the leading role; and who can ever forget Slim Pickens astride a nuclear bomb rodeo fashion as it descends from the bomb bay of a B-52? The B-52 has been upgraded many times and has assumed several new roles. Apart from the formidable threat it provided during the Cold War, it has played a significant part in all U.S. overseas military operations since Vietnam. The more recent include Desert Storm in 1991, the Balkan Conflict, Afghanistan, and the liberation of Iraq. The B-52 is still in service around the world and it is predicted that it will continue to be so until 2040.

About the author

Martin W. Bowman is the author of more than 80 books on military and commercial aviation, including The Hercules Story and The Hunter Story.

Summary

Incredibly, the first B-52 flew on 15 April 1952. The B-52 or ‘High Altitude Plough’ and ‘Aluminum Overcast’ symbolised America’s nuclear defence posture in the Cold War with the Soviet Bloc, which became one of Mutually Assured Destruction (MAD).

Product details

• Authors: Martin W Bowman, Martin W. Bowman
• Publisher: The History Press Ltd
• Languages: English
• Product format: Hardback
• Released: 31.12.2021
• EAN: 9780752482828
• ISBN: 978-0-7524-8282-8
• No. of pages: 128
• Dimensions: 187 mm x 147 mm x 12 mm
• Weight: 260 g
• Series: Story; Story of; The Story Series; Story (History Press)
• Subjects: Guides > Motor vehicles, aircraft, ships, space travel > Aircraft, space travel; Non-fiction book > History > Miscellaneous; Social sciences, law, business > Political science > Political science and political administration