On August 5, 1954, the first production model of the Boeing B-52A Stratofortress, designated B-52A-1-BO with serial number 52-001, conducted its maiden flight from Boeing Field in Seattle, Washington. This milestone marked the beginning of the B-52's long and distinguished service with the United States Air Force. The B-52A variant featured several key differences from the earlier XB-52 and YB-52 prototypes, most notably the side-by-side seating arrangement in the cockpit, as opposed to the tandem configuration of the earlier models. It also incorporated an in-flight refueling system, allowing the aircraft to be refueled by KC-97 tankers while airborne. After its initial test flights, 52-001 was used alongside sister ships 52-002 and 52-003 for further service testing. The aircraft was later used to evaluate the shorter vertical fin design of the B-52G variant. In the early 1960s, 52-001 was permanently grounded at Chanute Air Force Base.The B-52 Stratofortress would go on to serve as a long-range, subsonic, jet-powered strategic bomber for the USAF, replacing the Convair B-36 Peacemaker. Its superior performance, high subsonic speeds, and relatively low operating costs have kept the B-52 in service for over six decades, despite the development of more advanced bombers. The B-52 has been involved in several wars, delivering conventional munitions in combat.
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