NASA’s B-52B launch aircraft, operated by Dryden (now Armstrong) Flight Research Center, took part in some of the most significant aerospace projects in history. At the time of its retirement, the aircraft held the distinction of being both NASA’s oldest aircraft and the oldest B-52 in flying status. Despite this, it had logged the fewest flying hours (2,443.8) of any B-52 in operation, having been used solely as a research and launch platform for nearly 50 years.
The B-52B, with registration number 52-0008 and NASA tail number 008, rolled out of Boeing’s Seattle plant as an RB-52B and made its first flight on June 11, 1955. It was the 10th B-52 off the Boeing assembly line and initially served as a U.S. Air Force test aircraft before being assigned to support the X-15 research aircraft program at Dryden.
(NASA Image. NB-52B 52-0008 at Edwards Air Force Base)