Kids Encyclopedia

B-52 Stratofortress — The Boeing B-52 Stratofortress is a long-range, subsonic, jet-powered strategic bomber. The B-52 was designed and built by Boeing, who have continued to provide support and upgrades. It has been operated by the United States Air Force (USAF) since the 1950s. The bomber carries up to 70,000 pounds (32,000 kg) of weapons. Beginning with the successful contract …

B-29 Superfortress — The B-29 Superfortress, of which almost 4,000 were built during World War II, flew at 644 km/h (400 mph) and had the ability to carry a 907-kg (2,000 lb) bombload for 8,583 km (5,333 mi). The Boeing B-29 Superfortress was a four-engine heavy bomber propeller aircraft flown by the United States Army Air Forces in World War …

B-24 Liberator — The Consolidated B-24 Liberator was, with the B-17 Flying Fortress, the primary long-range bomber aircraft of the U.S. Army Air Force during World War II. Although the B-17 achieved greater fame, the B-24 was built in greater numbers than any other American aircraft, with more than 18,000 Liberators and Liberator variants being manufactured before the end of …

B-1 Bomber — The supersonic, variable-wing B-1 bomber is able to carry more armament (up to 52,160 kg/115,000 lb) than any other combat aircraft. It was designed to replace the B-52 as the primary nuclear bomber of the United States. Its variable wing (forward for subsonic flight; swept back for supersonic flight) gives it a near-sonic, low-altitude penetration capability, as …

Autogiro — An autogiro is a small, quiet, reliable, rotary-winged aircraft. This Wallis autogiro cruises at about 160 km/h (100 mph), weighs about 227 kg (500 lb), and has a range of about 320 km (200 mi). An autogyro (autogiro) is a type of rotorcraft supported in flight by lift provided by a rotor. Unlike a helicopter, the rotor of …