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?? I thought the first flight for the 52 was 1952 and production ops in 1955 - whereas the C-130 first flight was 1954 with ops in 1956?
The 52 is still projected to extend into 2020+
It would have been #1 on my list but was focused on WWII for the C-47.
B-52 has certainly good points in this pool, but ironically (and luckily) it was never been used in its primary role as a nuclear weapons carrier.
Which is why I rank it so highly (for one reason). It was SAC in the context of the Big Stick for so many years.
Am in the process of reading a book by Clay Blair entitled "Hitler's U Boats" I expect to be an "expert" on the subject(if I can remember anything he says) if I ever finish the book. It is extremely detailed. Anyway, he states that some of the B24s used for ASW duty had much of the bomb bay taken up by extra fuel tanks(which is not surprising) but also all the MG turrets removed and 4-20mm fixed guns installed in the nose. First I ever heard of that. Must have been exciting strafing a sub with 4-20mms in a B24.
all the MG turrets removed and 4-20mm fixed guns installed in the nose. Must have been exciting strafing a sub with 4-20mms in a B24.
after only 5 seconds of firing, they required a 60 second cooling period before refiring.