The first thing to know about the Boeing B-52 Stratofortress is that it is a remarkable
airplane for many reasons, not the least of which is its longevity. The first
flight of the B-52 was in 1955 and the production line shut down in 1962 after cranking
out 742 bombers in 8 different models. Sixty years later, the B-52 is still flying,
and plans are to keep it flying for several more years. Of course, the B-52 of today is
not your Grandfather’s B-52. (Think about that! At least three generations of USAF
pilots have flown the B-52!) This is a chronicle of the remarkable career of the B-52, illustrated with dozens of photos.