The Best Cold War Bomber?

[A Can of Man]

I guess looks is a matter of opinion, though I disagree.
But either way, it was a plane that was designed to have one role, and perform one kind of approach tactic. Though I am pretty sure it was modified into other roles later... into a midair tanker role right?
But in terms of usefulness, it's upgradeability, and long life I'd hand it to the B-52.

 

[ltdave]

if you want to judge by looks, then i vote for the Convair B-58 Hustler

david

 

[Mark Conley]

Well some clean-up is in order here...

Two operational nuclear delivery bombers appear to be missing from this list on the American side of the cold war fence. One is the B-47, the other is the B-36.

Now a lot of people have a tendancy to forget both of these aircraft, as they were intermediate stepping stones for delivery systems of nuclear weapons until the primary system, the B-52, came on line. The B-47 was a very short range aircraft, tis true: it only operated from the forward bases in England, turkey, and the like, but it fulfilled the role quite nicely for about seven crucial years until the big guys came on line. the B-36 Peacemaker was the primary long range nuclear delivery system from about 1947 through the late 50s: it had six turning (six reciprocating engines) and four burning (four turbo jets added later, as an afterthought) to get the job done, but could do theoretically from the US to Russia, with love.

I just have to kiss the person that remembered the B-58 Hustler: It really was a beautiful aircraft to see in flight.

On comment on the XB-70 and the Mig 25 problem: well they made a plane that would be the mach 3 escort for the Valkyrie. They called it a YF-12: this later spun off into the SR-71. I have oftened wondered if the YF-12 would have actually outrun the bullets fired from its internal gatling gun, but.... I do believe the Mig 25 would have had a bad time dealing with this SR-71 variant.

The russians had many good cold war bombers: we need someone to speak up for them.

 

[ltdave]

that was me who posted about the Hustler... one of the previous posts was talking in terms of appearance so i thought i would throw Convairs quick plane into the mix. there really isnt any need to kiss me...

i was stationed at the SR-71s Home base for 5yrs. absolutely love that plane and its AMAZING some of the stuff i was sworn to secrecy about that is now common knowledge. well common amongst those who are interested in this plane...

i was at the retirement in 1990. the only good thing that bastard klinton did was bring 3 back to limited duty in '95. but when the bean counters in washington ordered the jigs and fixtures to build this plane to be destroyed back in the 70s, it doomed the entire system...

you should look for the book my wing CO wrote. SR-71 Revealed. The Inside Story by Colonel Richard Graham USAF (Ret)

this is a satellite photo of the SR-71 on its diamond (patch) shaped and painted concrete pad outside base ops at Beale AFB, California

david

 

[Trevor]

B-1B Lancer. That thing is georgeous.

 

[devilwasp]

has to be the vulcan, can beat 2 F15's in an A2A fight.

 

[A Can of Man]

YEAH RIGHT.

 

[devilwasp]

YEAH RIGHT.

it did
here is the post when me and a few folk from ATS where talking about it.

"I don't have a link to anything on the web but reference to my 'Flight International' archive shows that at the 1977 Red Flag a a Vulcan was tasked with taking out a target and a pair of F-15's were tasked to stop it.

They not only failed to do so but, incredibly, they also failed to find and intercept it after the fact meaning that in a 'real' war said Vulcan was at liberty to come back and have another go

AT the same excercise RAF Buccaneers reatedly avoided interception by the USAF, greatly impressing the US ground observers. This should be taken in the context of a senior US general saying in 1969 when the RAF recieved its first Buccs' that 'you now have to bear the scorn of your enemies and the pity of your friends'. Oops "

infact an A10 has beaten two F15's as well. the F15 is a very nice plane and in a fighter battle i would pick it , unless the F22 or YF23 were avaliable.

 

[SHERMAN]

Well, the Vulcan was a terrific machine, but Id hate to be in it if a pair of F15s found me...Thats true for any bomber though...

 

[devilwasp]

Well, the Vulcan was a terrific machine, but Id hate to be in it if a pair of F15s found me...Thats true for any bomber though...

it could out manovour,out climb and out gun any plane.
the F15's didnt find it ethier wich was probably very worrying.

 

[Missileer]

I'd say B-52.
It's still useful today after about 50 years of service. How can you say that's not the bst bomber?

Also, unless I am mistaken in my facts, the B-52 has seen more battle action than any other heavy bomber that is still flying today.

 

[A Can of Man]

It's got to be true.

I'd say B-52.
It's still useful today after about 50 years of service. How can you say that's not the bst bomber?

Also, unless I am mistaken in my facts, the B-52 has seen more battle action than any other heavy bomber that is still flying today.

 

[redcoat]

I'd say B-52.
It's still useful today after about 50 years of service. How can you say that's not the bst bomber?

How about an aircraft with 55 years service
The English Electric Canberra.
So good, even the USAF used it (Martin B-57)
Not only that , it was the only none US aircraft to be used over the combat zone in the recent Afgan war, at the special request of the USAF( Photo-recon)
Also saw service in the Iraq war.
Still in service today 8)

 

[AGE_USAF]

I have to say the B-52. It will outlast the B-2 (which is not a cold war era bomber by the way) Cold war era lasted until Nov 1991. The first B-2 was delivered in 1994 I believe.

 

[Mohmar Deathstrike]

The poll is biased. 7 American bombers and 3 British bombers, but only 2 "Russian" Soviet ones?

 

[Shadowalker]

The americans did have lots of different types of bombers, but i agree possibly other russian bombers could of been included such as the 'Badger' 'Bear' and 'Blinder'. the 'Bear' should of been included as it was the most successful soviet bomber design even though it is propeller driven and more than 50 years old. But despite this the B-52 is the most successful cold war bomber.

 

[bushpig1998]

The B1 hands down should be the answer here.

This plane scared the living Bejesus out of them. It is specifically mentioned in Arms treaties and limited to only INTERNAL payloads by treaty. Actually it is already a so called "Stealth" plane and a flying electronic monster capable of low level high speed flight. The former Soviet Republics/Union/Warsaw pact had little to counter it until the Cold War was over. SA10/12 didn't exist then and a B-2 either, but the B1B and SA-6 did, and the USSR knew that this plane was threat numero UNNO and most definetly capable of overcomming their IADS through most of the 80s. This plane probably drove a lot of the ADA upgrades they undertook.

Amen...it gets my vote despite the fact that I love the Russkies simplicity of design in their aircraft. If it don't improve the performance or capabilities of the craft, it was dropped. Gotta love it.

 

[Arclight]

The B1 hands down should be the answer here.

This plane scared the living Bejesus out of them. It is specifically mentioned in Arms treaties and limited to only INTERNAL payloads by treaty. Actually it is already a so called "Stealth" plane and a flying electronic monster capable of low level high speed flight. The former Soviet Republics/Union/Warsaw pact had little to counter it until the Cold War was over. SA10/12 didn't exist then and a B-2 either, but the B1B and SA-6 did, and the USSR knew that this plane was threat numero UNNO and most definetly capable of overcomming their IADS through most of the 80s. This plane probably drove a lot of the ADA upgrades they undertook.

I have the SA-10 listed as being introduced in 1978. Not sure how well they integrated the system in their air defense network, though.

 

[AGE_USAF]

The B-1 was designed for a one-strike role during the cold war and has only recently been outfitted for use as a conventional bomber. The B-52 will no doubt outlast it too. B-52 hands down.

 

[wolfen]

How many B-2s have been shot down? 0? That makes it the best bomber...zero attrition rate.

Ever seen one of those in flight?
I saw one at the NAS Oceana air show do a flyby over my house at tree top level, only reason I saw it was i looked up when I heard a low almost silent woosh