History

The Rockwell B-1B is a high-speed strategic bomber in use with the United States Air Force. It survived great political controversy in the 1970s to become an important part of American air power in the early 21st century.

The Rockwell B-1 (commonly called Bone) was originally designed as a high altitude supersonic bomber to replace the B-52 in service with the Strategic Air Command of the USAF.

It was cancelled in that role in June 1977. It was revived again as a reduced performance strategic bomber, the B-1B, in January 1982 and 100 were ordered.

The final one was delivered in May 1988.

In the 1990s they were converted to conventional bombing use and many remain in service today.

This model represents a B-1B of the 77th Bomber Wing in July 1990.

Panda 1/144 kit completed by Leigh Edmonds in June 2013.

Data

MODEL: Rockwell B-1B

ROLE: Bomber

TIME PERIOD: 1974-

ENGINES: four General Electric F101-GE-102 augmented turbofan engines of 136.9kN thrust each on afterburner

WING SPAN: 41.8m extended and 24.1m swept

LENGTH: 41.5m

MAXIMUM TAKE OFF WEIGHT: 216,400kg

MAXIMUM SPEED: 1,335km/h

RANGE: 9,400km

CREW: 4

ARMAMENT: up to 34,000kg in bomb bays and an additional 22,700kg on wing hardpoints

SCALE: 1/144

KIT:

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