Pictures of Cold War aircraft.

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60 years ago today. A legend was born.

The first Lockheed SR-71A, 61-7950, takes off for the first time at Air Force Plant 42, Palmdale, California, 22 December 1964. An F-104 Starfighter follows as chase.

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On this day 50 years ago.

The first prototype Rockwell B-1A Lancer, 74-0158, takes off at Air Force Plant 42, Palmdale, California, 23 December 1974.

The Rockwell B-1 Lancer intercontinental bomber made its first flight, flown from Palmdale, California, to Edwards Air Force Base.
The first of four prototype Rockwell B-1A Lancer Mach 2.2 strategic bombers, serial number 74-0158, made its first flight from Air
Force Plant 42, Palmdale, California. The aircraft commander was company test pilot Charles C. Bock, Jr. (Colonel, U.S. Air Force,
retired) with pilot Colonel Emil Sturmthal, U.S. Air Force, and flight test engineer Richard Abrams. After basic flight evaluation, the
B-1A landed at Edwards Air Force Base, about 22 miles (35 kilometers) to the northeast of Palmdale.

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