USAF Boeing B-52H 20th BS "Buccaneers"

In 1948, the US Department of Defense placed an order with Boeing to develop a new strategic bomber with a lifting capacity and range exceeding all existing ones, capable of attacking targets anywhere on the globe. The result of this order was the design of the XB-52 aircraft with 20 ° slant wings, equipped with 6 turboprop engines. After obtaining jet engines (or strictly after purchasing their license in Great Britain), it was significantly modified; the skew of the wings was increased to 35 ° and the number of engines was increased to eight, placing them in pairs on the under-wing pylons; the landing gear of the plane was resolved in an unconventional way. In 1949, after presenting the model to the recipient and obtaining its approval, the construction of prototypes began, using the experience gained in the construction and construction of the earlier B-47 Stratojet bomber. The prototype of the B-52 was flown on April 15, 1952. Only three days later, the most dangerous competitor of