#aviationphotography #planespotting #avgeek #aviation #history #USAF - The amazing swing-wing B1B bomber followed the cancelled high-altitude B1A! Post your photos and comments! @clark_aviation @B1bomber1 @coldwarhist @AvHistoryOgre @Aviation_worl @MilAvHistory @AviationAnoraks

2/ The early version of the B-1 was the B-1A, a high-altitude Mach 2.2 capable bomber. Unfortunately, Soviet missiles were easily capable of reaching the B-1A’s planned operational altitude. Here’s the B-1A from @clemente3000. Note the needle-nose. https://twitter.com/clemente3000/status/1356390108983943168

3/ President #JimmyCarter cancelled B-1A b/c he'd authorized the ATB (stealth bomber) and you could get 200 cruise missiles for the projected price of a B-1A. The top secret ATB was 100% classified. Eventually the program’s existence was revealed leading to lots of speculation.

4/ However, President Ronald Reagan had the B-1 resurrected after it was redesigned as a slower Mach 1.25 capable low-altitude penetration bomber, re-designated the B-1B Lancer. And this is what went into production; 100 built. #ColdWar #history

5/ 100 B-1B Lancers built 1984-1988. 10 lost. 17 men killed. Several B-1Bs on display. Gratuitous photos: @KitsAndCoffee @Burntime0101 @Robofemoid @MorrisKarlen @PattonBattalion @09EA63 @RentmeisterMarc @tutorcambodia @tanksenc
@bobsonthompson @sitnikov_94

6/ A few more B-1B Lancer photos...

7/ Even more B-1B Lancer photos... But if you want still more, just let me know. #aircraft #models #referencesheet #references