Academy 12632 1/144 B-52D Stratofortress Bomber, Plastic Model Kit (A12632)

Contents

Academy 12632 1/144 B-52D Stratofortress Bomber, Plastic Model Kit.

Model Specifications

• 1:144 scale model of the legendary B-52D Stratofortress
• Includes 4 different decal options (US Air Force Strategic Air Command/Flight Test Group)
• Based on the classic Minicraft mold for an authentic design
• Detailed reproduction of aerodynamic shapes and large wingspan
• Made from high quality materials for a durable finish
• Easy assembly with clear instructions for a realistic result

A long-range heavy bomber capable of carrying a nuclear payload, it was developed by Boeing for the United States Air Force and entered military service from 1955. The seventy-year-old design is expected to remain operational until the 2050s. The B-52D variant was used extensively in the Vietnam War. This model of Academy is made from Minicraft moulds. M117 air-dropped demolition bombs are included. Markings for B-52D 55-0675: Removed from service October 1982, disassembled December 1993; 56-0676: First B-52 to shoot down a MiG-21 in combat (over North Vietnam) and is preserved at Fairchild Air Force Base; 55-0677: Preserved at Yankee Air Museum in Michigan; 56-0591: 4925th Test Group (Atomic) "Tommy's Tiger" crashed in Ochoco National Forest, Oregon, June 1959. Cause: Horizontal stabilizer (tail wing) failure during low altitude flight tests. The crew of five Boeing employees died.

In 1948, the US Department of Defense ordered Boeing to develop a new strategic bomber with a higher lift capacity and range than any existing aircraft, capable of attacking targets anywhere in the world. The result of this order was the design of the XB-52 aircraft with 20° canted wings and 6 turboprop engines. Once jet engines became available (or more accurately, licenses were purchased from Great Britain), the aircraft was significantly modified; The pitch of the wings was increased to 35° and the number of engines increased to eight, placed in pairs on the underwing pylons; The aircraft's landing gear was designed in an unusual way. In 1949, after the model was presented to the buyer and approval was obtained, the construction of prototypes began, using the experience gained in the construction of the earlier B-47 Stratojet bomber. The prototype of the B-52 flew on April 15, 1952. Just three days later, the Convair bomber (designated YB-60), the B-52's most dangerous rival, took to the skies. The second major competitor was the Douglas 1211-I turboprop aircraft. Ultimately, however, the Boeing design was put into production. In the late 1960s, the B-52G and B-52H versions were modified by fitting new avionics systems and adapting them to carry new weapons in the form of AGM-69A missiles; The engines were also replaced with newer TF-33-P-3 (8x7563 daN) engines. The B-52 bombers still available in the early 1980s underwent another modification. This modification consisted of adapting them to carry AGM-86A/B ALCM cruise missiles by installing new avionics systems and installing the rotary launchers of these missiles in the bomb bay. During 1991-92, a small number of B-52Hs were equipped with AGM-129 ACM missiles. For defense, radar-controlled M61 "Vulcan" cannon (20 mm caliber) or 4 attached machine guns (12.7 mm caliber); classic nuclear bombs in the bomb bay; High-yield missiles or cruise missiles were located under the wing. Technical data: Maximum speed: 1030 km/h, climb rate: 31.85 m/s, maximum ceiling height: 15000 m, maximum range: 16232 km, maximum bomb load capacity: 31500 kg.