Tin Men
Aka the 'Bone', 'Kansas Air National Guard' North American Rockwell B-1B Lancer 85-0064 from the 127th Bomb Squadron in the static display at the 1997 RIAT held at RAF Fairford
The USAF 'Bone' was designed as a semi-stealth technology bomber to replace the 'then' aging B-52 force
However, President Carter cancelled the programme but within a few years it was re-instated and the developed B-1B was built in moderate numbers adopting more modern technology. With spiraling costs and the fact that the world had changed, production was capped at around 100
With the advent of pure stealth, the B-2 'Spirit' was introduced but that made even less, with only 21 airframes built
In the end the DoD opted for a mix, and with various issues, some earlier B-1's were retired to AMARC as were all the B-52G models
This left a mix of B-1, B-2 and the ever faithful B-52H, the latter, still the most potent in load carrying capability with all three soldiering on as the USAF's bomber complement
How long the B-1 will last is unknown but the B-52 is slated to be around past 2040 especially if they get the planned re-engine modification that at long last is getting serious consideration
There is also the new B-21 Raider in the future mix - the B-2's replacement
Scanned Kodak 35mm transparency
For the best effect press the 'L' key
Tin Men
Aka the 'Bone', 'Kansas Air National Guard' North American Rockwell B-1B Lancer 85-0064 from the 127th Bomb Squadron in the static display at the 1997 RIAT held at RAF Fairford
The USAF 'Bone' was designed as a semi-stealth technology bomber to replace the 'then' aging B-52 force
However, President Carter cancelled the programme but within a few years it was re-instated and the developed B-1B was built in moderate numbers adopting more modern technology. With spiraling costs and the fact that the world had changed, production was capped at around 100
With the advent of pure stealth, the B-2 'Spirit' was introduced but that made even less, with only 21 airframes built
In the end the DoD opted for a mix, and with various issues, some earlier B-1's were retired to AMARC as were all the B-52G models
This left a mix of B-1, B-2 and the ever faithful B-52H, the latter, still the most potent in load carrying capability with all three soldiering on as the USAF's bomber complement
How long the B-1 will last is unknown but the B-52 is slated to be around past 2040 especially if they get the planned re-engine modification that at long last is getting serious consideration
There is also the new B-21 Raider in the future mix - the B-2's replacement
Scanned Kodak 35mm transparency
For the best effect press the 'L' key