USAF B-52 20TH BS BUCCANEERS 1: 144 Academy 12622

Plastic model airplane kit: USAF B-52 20th BS Buccaneers 1:144 Academy 12622

We present a plastic model kit of the Boeing B-52 Stratofortress in 1:144 scale, produced by the renowned company Academy. This detailed model allows you to recreate one of the most iconic strategic bombers in aviation history, used by the United States Air Force (USAF) since 1955.

Model specifications:

• Scale: 1:144
• Manufacturer: Academy
• Catalog number: 12622
• Depicts: Boeing B-52 Stratofortress, 20th Bomb Squadron "Buccaneers"
• Material: Plastic

History and achievements of the B-52 Stratofortress:

The Boeing B-52 Stratofortress is an American long-range strategic bomber powered by jet engines. It was designed and built by Boeing, which still provides support and upgrades for this model. The B-52 can carry up to 32,000 kg of armament and has a typical combat range of about 14,200 km without air refueling.

The first flight of the B-52 took place in April 1952, and the aircraft was designed to carry nuclear weapons as part of deterrence missions during the Cold War. It replaced the earlier Convair B-36 Peacemaker model. B-52 bombers were used by the Strategic Air Command (SAC) until 1992, when they were integrated into the Air Combat Command (ACC), and since 2010 all B-52s have been part of the Air Force Global Strike Command (AFGSC).

The B-52, unofficially known as BUFF (Big Ugly Fat Fella), is distinguished by its excellent performance at high subsonic speeds and relatively low operating costs. Despite the development of more advanced strategic bombers, such as the Convair B-58 Hustler or Northrop Grumman B-2 Spirit, the B-52 remains in service and is expected to be operational into the 2050s.

20th Bomb Squadron "Buccaneers":

The 20th Bomb Squadron is a unit of the 2d Operations Group of the United States Air Force, stationed at Barksdale Air Force Base in Louisiana. This unit is equipped with Boeing B-52H Stratofortress bombers. Formed in May 1917 as the 20th Aero Squadron, the unit participated in combat on the Western Front during World War I, taking part in the St. Mihiel and Meuse-Argonne offensives.

During World War II, the squadron fought in the North African and Italian campaigns, earning the Distinguished Unit Citation for actions during the bombing raid on Steyr, Austria. During the Cold War, it was part of the Strategic Air Command, and during the Vietnam War, it frequently participated in bombing missions of Operation Arc Light.

Since 1993, the 20th Bomb Squadron has operated B-52H Stratofortress bombers, which can perform a variety of missions, including those related to the Global War on Terrorism.

Assembly and painting kit. Does not include paints or glue. To assemble, separately sold modeling tools are needed (including cutters, files, tweezers), paints, brushes, and plastic model glue (e.g., Tamiya Extra Thin Cement). The photo shows a professionally assembled and painted model.