Planetag Boeing B-52 Lucky lady III

Our Boeing B-52, tail #53-394, was known as Lucky Lady III. As lead Stratofortress of Operation Power Flite, the USAF Strategic Air Command's eight-engine jet bomber departed California's Castle Air Force Base in January of 1957, becoming the first jet engine to circle the globe nonstop via in-flight refueling.

The momentous 24,325 mile trip was completed in 45 hours, 19 minutes after landing at March Air Force Base in Riverside, California. The flight around the globe won not only the 1957 Mackay Trophy, but also landed Lucky Lady III on the prized cover of Life magazine.

CHARACTERISTICS:

• Manufacturer: Boeing
• B-52B-35BO Construction Number (C/N): 16873
• Serial #: 53-394
• Crew: 5
• Length: 48.5 m
• Wing Span: 56.4 m
• Height: 12.4 m
• Max Speed: 1,047 km/h
• Cruising Speed: 844 km/h
• Combat Range: 7,210 km
• Service Ceiling: 15,000 m
• Bombs: 31,500 kg
• Engines: 8 x Pratt & Whitney JT3D