The long wing stratonauts

Abstract

What can you say about an aircraft that first flew in 1949 and still flies operational missions to this day; a period of 64 years? While there were many variants modified for specific requirements, altogether they represent one outstanding design. Of particular interest is the aircraft’s high altitude variant; the F model and its capabilities. Tribute must also be paid to the very brave men who flew the missions, often to their peril. The need to fly so high was based upon the same threat as the U-2; that is, the surface to air missile. While some enemy aircraft attempted to shoot an RB-57F down, most were lost for other reasons. Some of those incidents are chronicled here and their crews honored for their service. NASA has saved several aircraft from the boneyard and continues to clearly demonstrate how useful this aircraft remains to this day.