The Boeing B-52 Stratofortress, a strategic bomber used by the US Air Force, first flew in 1952. The last one produced, Tail No. 1040, left the factory in October, 1961. It and nearly a hundred others are still in service:
Link -via Ace of Spades HQ | Photo: US Department of Defense
“I don’t think anyone really knew this was going to be the last B-52 ever made,” said Robert Michel, the 5th Bomb Wing historian. “They expected it to be in service for probably about 20 years, (not close to) a hundred.”
With Tail No. 1040 and the rest of the Air Force’s B-52s scheduled to keep flying through 2040, there are several reasons why the B-52 has been flying for more than 50 years.
“I don’t think you can get a bomber that could replace the B-52 that will do everything the B-52 does,” Michel said.
That’s because the B-52 can perform nuclear deterrence and conventional operations, fly at both high and low altitudes while carrying nuclear and conventional bombs, cruise missiles or aerial mines, he said. “It’s like the Swiss Army bomber.”
Link -via Ace of Spades HQ | Photo: US Department of Defense
The tail number is 61-040. The 61 definitely indicated it was assembled in 1961. At the time the aircraft was designated the "Fleet Leader" with over 4,000 flying hours logged. It was flown almost everyday. The purpose was to project how the fleet would perform over time. I would be very curious how many hours that aircraft has flown. At that time the "G" Models were only capable of dropping Nuclear bombs. Over the years they have been reconfigured to utilize the full array of weapons. Its a remarkable aircraft and a tribute to American's Boeing Aircraft Corp.
And @ whitcwa: yes, nothing like the quadricycle-geared takeoffs and landings! Unlike any other aircraft you see, it doesnt have a nose gear so it doesn't tip up as it takes off; they seem to levitate after a long takeoff roll.