Garling Gauge

How Much For The B-52?

How much for the doggie B-52 in the window?

Reuters reports that on August 24, 2007 a Russian businessman attempted to buy a B-52 strategic bomber at an air show near Moscow.

One wonders if he inquired about an extended warranty, or asked if he could get it in a different color; a test flight, perhaps?

MOSCOW (Reuters) - A wealthy Russian tried to buy a U.S. B-52 bomber from a group of shocked American pilots at an airshow near Moscow, a Russian newspaper reported Friday.

The unidentified Russian, wearing sunglasses and surrounded by bodyguards, approached the U.S. delegation and asked to buy the bomber, the Komsomolskaya Pravda newspaper said.

An astounded member of the U.S. delegation said the bomber was not for sale but that it would cost at least $500 million if it were to be sold on the spot.

“That is no problem. It is such a cool machine,” the Russian was quoted as saying by the newspaper, which said its reporter overheard the conversation. The bomber was not sold.

Russia’s new rich, who built fantastic fortunes trading commodities and contacts after the fall of the Soviet Union, have made a name for themselves as ostentatious purchasers of everything from British football clubs to Faberge eggs.

Yikes!

Dropping bombs for 50 years now, the B-52 was designed as a nuclear delivery vehicle and deterrent. With a strong track record, it is easy to see how someone with $500 million in mad money could look to the B-52 while strategic bomber jet shopping *

Plenty of life left in that streamlined old lady

Although, if you really have $500 million burning a hole in your pocket, you might want to consider a Mach 3 XB-70 Valkyrie, supersonic B-1B Lancer, or stealth B-2 Spirit, all proposed to replace the reliable B-52. Not that it’s any of my business.

XB-70 Valkyrie

B-1B Lancer

B-2 Spirit

Oh, and don’t forget a vanity plate before you go bombing the universe.

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You know you want to buy one

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http://www.wallpaperbase.com/wallpapers/military/b52/b_52_1.jpg
http://www.aerospaceweb.org/aircraft/bomber/b52/b52_04.jpg
http://www.fas.org/nuke/guide/usa/bomber/b-52.htm

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