Hello all, here is today's article posted on TheArmoryLife.com. It is titled “Rockwell B-1B Lancer Heavy Bomber” and can be found at https://www.thearmorylife.com/rockwell-b-1b-lancer/.
Rockwell B-1B Lancer Heavy Bomber
- Thread starter Mike H.
- Start date
Talyn
SAINT
Many, many years ago I was hiking down in the Grand Canyon area when I heard a sound & looked up and a flight of at least 12 B-1s leisurely flying east to west right over me in formation with the wings forward. Likely heading to Nellis.
Reminded me of when I was very young when a large flight of B-36s leisurely flew over where I was living.
Reminded me of when I was very young when a large flight of B-36s leisurely flew over where I was living.
Never was a fan. I always figured the B1B program was a way to keep defense workers working and was never figured to be a long term program. I worked at a midwest Gear . gearbox company when the B1B's were being built; they ordered 125 gearboxes and NO spares which was telling in itself. I was told by people in the assembly area that they were short some parts for the last box and rather than make another parts batch they cannibalized parts out of a B1A on display at Wright Pat (Air Force Museum).
I was at a B 52 Base then a Missile base through SAC and into the ACC days when commands realignment in 1992.
B1’s were at 4 bases back then on alert and would fly in doing touch and goes at our base occasionally. Sleek looking. Birds I’ll have to say.
When I was in the Montana Missile Fields it wasn’t uncommon to see B1’s and B 52’s come through Conrad Montana low level as some enroute to or from some practice bomb ranges. Always a sight to see.
I will say although I was deployed with a B52 wing in Desert Storm something about wanting them take off with live ordnance over Iraq and Kuwait and coming back empty knowing they killed more people than Syphilis you almost felt sorry for them!!!!
B1’s were at 4 bases back then on alert and would fly in doing touch and goes at our base occasionally. Sleek looking. Birds I’ll have to say.
When I was in the Montana Missile Fields it wasn’t uncommon to see B1’s and B 52’s come through Conrad Montana low level as some enroute to or from some practice bomb ranges. Always a sight to see.
I will say although I was deployed with a B52 wing in Desert Storm something about wanting them take off with live ordnance over Iraq and Kuwait and coming back empty knowing they killed more people than Syphilis you almost felt sorry for them!!!!
Cedric
Custom
The B-2 was not over the horizon in 1977 and its future was in doubt right up to the early 90s. The USAF didn't want it and then Congressman Kweisi Mfume got up and gave a grand speech as to why we needed to have the B-2. I guess in this case there was a motivation on the part of the congress critters to keep defense workers employed.
Cedric
Custom
Saw them at Dyess during an airshow. A pair took off in formation and conducted an unrestricted climb performing like fighters. It was one of the most impressive things I've seen.
I will say there were an epidemic of crashes in the late 1980’s with the B1 getting the nickname “Lawn Jart”
And about 3 years in a row from 87-90 one from McConnel AFB came to our annual show at Blytheville Arkansas and broke down on the ramp. They had to TDY crews in To get it operational to fly out.
The issue the week it til some of use got diesel extra duty as it was a Priority B resource so we had to put a close in sentry and ART patrol on it.
And about 3 years in a row from 87-90 one from McConnel AFB came to our annual show at Blytheville Arkansas and broke down on the ramp. They had to TDY crews in To get it operational to fly out.
The issue the week it til some of use got diesel extra duty as it was a Priority B resource so we had to put a close in sentry and ART patrol on it.
LarryT
Elite
I was fortunate to have worked at Plant 42 in Palmdale, CA on the original B1, from subsystem assembly, through ground testing, and the delivery flight to the Air Force. Amazing times. I never had so much fun working myself near to death! We did things with steel and aluminum alloy's that were thought to be impossible. Two days after it was send to Edwards AFB I moved over to the Space Shuttle program. Good times.
TestMule
Elite
Mr. Carter killed the first B1 project in 1977. It was revived in 1981 to fill a perceived gap in capability due to delays in the B2 project. There was a lot of controversy about the cost of the project. The budget purse strings were tight. Spares, some training and adding the required maintenance infrastructure to the selected bases was deferred making the project even more difficult to manage and deliver.
But they got it done and I firmly believe the "Bone" earned its way into the top levels of strategic planning based on performance and capability.
But they got it done and I firmly believe the "Bone" earned its way into the top levels of strategic planning based on performance and capability.
Blackmesa96
Master Class
I used to frequent that stretch of road & loved being overflown by the ones on short final just over the interstate.
I happened to be in town on business in Grand Junction, Colorado once when one landed, I think it was unscheduled and made an overnight stay or two. The takeoff was announced for early AM the next day and it was expected to be spectacular because Grand Junction sits beneath a long escarpment and the runway aligns with it. The potential for reflected sound was recognized and the crew made the most of it!
My job took me on many backroads in the Intermountain West, including those that might get overflown by low-level operations in remote areas. It's actually more impressive than the airshow maneuvers.
Carter killed a lot of projects. For being a naval officer, be didn’t seem to like the DOD. In part to cover his disastrous effect on the economy.