Greatest Modern Bomber

[102first_hussars]

It would make more sense for me to say the B2 Stealth or the B-1B Lancer, however I have always had a great appreciation for the B-52 Stratofortress, so whats your opinion?

[plan_D]

Nimrod? I hope, for your sake, you're not refering to the RAF Nimrod? Which was never a bomber, it wasn't even designed off a bomber. It was an AWACS aircraft designed off the De Havilland Comet airliner.



And while I know the Nimrod fleet is under consideration for conversion to long-range bomber configuration, the drawings haven't even been started. The plane is not even nearly a bomber yet.

And the B-1B Lancer is the best, in my opinion.

[Glider]

The Nimrod is an Anti Sub aircraft with 2 or 3 used as electronic intelligence gathering. The AWAX version was cancelled many years ago.

If I had to choose it would be the Canberra. Probably used by more countries than any other jet bomber and possibly an other bomber period in history. Certainly isn't the biggest or fastest by a long shot but it did its job for many years and did it well.

[plan_D]

I know it was scrapped, my dad had to keep one running at RAF Finningley for a long time to train people on the electronics. I think that was one of the last ones in 'service' (it wasn't certified to fly). The E-3s were/are much better aircraft, plus the British variants are the best.

Although, the idea of converting them into bombers is interesting. They'd have been better off keeping Vulcans and just improving them.

And we can't deny the role of the Canberra, no way. Good choice.

[the lancaster kicks ass]

well the nimrod's the closest bloody thing we have to a heavy bomber so don't rule it out, i thought the Tu-160'd be in the list though?

[Gnomey]

For me it is either the B-1 or the B-2. I would also give honourable mentions to the Canberra and the B-52 though.

well the nimrod's the closest bloody thing we have to a heavy bomber so don't rule it out, i thought the Tu-160'd be in the list though?

That it maybe but it isn't so why is it on the list. So did I.

[syscom3]

B52. Can carry lots and lots of bombs. Its huge airframe makes it adaptable for anything that might want to be added or updated.

Being able to carry a lot of PGM's has given it a new lease on life.

[FLYBOYJ]

B-52 all the way!!! Although the B-1 and B-2 have been successfully deployed, they have very big shoes to fill when looking at the longevity, combat record, and bombs dropped by the B-52. Additionally for what the cost of the B-52 was, it has certainly given its money's worth....

Just a side note - B-1 pilots consider the B-2 a "Fag Bomber."

[syscom3]

Why a "fag" bomber?

[FLYBOYJ]

Why a "fag" bomber?

Because it flies high and relatively slow - the B-1B drivers are into that fast low level "Shock and awe," more testosterone I guess?!?

[Glider]

If I had to pick one from the list it would be the B52. As FJ said m the USA definately got their moneys worth out of that aircraft.

Question for someone who may know the detail.
Recently NASA retired its original B52 that was an A version. I read an interesting article on this machine as NASA kept it as original as possible as a deliberate point of pride. In the example of this they mentioned in the start up sequence they still used the egg timer as per the original planes.
Can anyone tell me why you would want to use an egg timer in the start up process on a B52?

[syscom3]

Why a "fag" bomber?

Because it flies high and relatively slow - the B-1B drivers are into that fast low level "Shock and awe," more testosterone I guess?!?

I wonder what CC's reaction will be regarding a "fag" bomber

[FLYBOYJ]

If I had to pick one from the list it would be the B52. As FJ said m the USA definately got their moneys worth out of that aircraft.

Question for someone who may know the detail.
Recently NASA retired its original B52 that was an A version. I read an interesting article on this machine as NASA kept it as original as possible as a deliberate point of pride. In the example of this they mentioned in the start up sequence they still used the egg timer as per the original planes.
Can anyone tell me why you would want to use an egg timer in the start up process on a B52?

I'll ask my father in law, he has several thousand hours in B-52s

[Nonskimmer]

I wonder what CC's reaction will be regarding a "fag" bomber

A bomber that carries cigarettes?

Oh, and I like the B-1 best.



Ta.

[pbfoot]

Why a "fag" bomber?

Because it flies high and relatively slow - the B-1B drivers are into that fast low level "Shock and awe," more testosterone I guess?!?

I wonder what CC's reaction will be regarding a "fag" bomber

I wonder if its called a fag bomber in the same way the A6 Prowler is called the queer because as a A6 Intruder jock told me it was unatural for 4 men to sit so close the B2 guys are pretty close to each other maybe