The first prototype flew on December 23, 1974. The first modified B-1B flew on March 23, 1983. Entered
service in 1986, by 1988 a total of 100 B-1B were built.
Rockwell B-1 Lancer on YOUTUBE
Specification
MODEL
B-1B
CREW
4
ENGINE
4 x General Electric 010-GE-102 turbofan, 64.94kN each
Special thanks to Fred Johnson for mentioning in his 01 /05 /2013 post that his cousin Verne Orr - (USAF Sec that helped bring back the B-1) - wrote his PhD thesis on the B-1. The title of Mr Orr's thesis is "Developing Strategic Weaponry and the Political Process: The B-1 Bomber From Drawing Board to Flight." It is truly a brilliant piece of original research. Mr Orr's thesis not only has the "you are there" feel but he provides an in-depth analysis on the history of the strategic bomber as well as the political dynamics associated with such programs. It is a great read for aviation enthusiasts as well as history buffs. Today's public policy makers might benefit from Mr Orr's scholarship and insights.
I worked final assy in Palmdale CA 1985-1988. It was my first job right out of A&P school. It was a great job and I worked with some great people. Bldg 703 could hold 4 fully assembled a /c and 5 more w /o wings in the back assy tooling. To me still the most beautiful and badass bomber ever built.
The "born again bomber!" To learn the back-story of how the YB49 Flying Wing and XB70 Valkyrie helped transform the B1 from cancellation into production, please read Chapter 3 of my new book, which features detailed information on the B1 and other iconic aircraft from WW II to date. Here is the info.
HIGH FLIGHT Aviation as a Teaching Tool for Finance, Strategy and American Exceptionalism By George A. Haloulakos, MBA, CFA ISBN: 9780-1007-2738-0 Order your copy online at: ucsandiegobookstore.com Or by phone: 858-534-4557 "Partial proceeds support aviation heritage"
A B1-B made a low level pass over the runway behind building 6. I was the most exhilarating exhibition I have ever seen. Later I actually met the pilot who flew that day at an air show in Columbus. He said he forgot about the fly over just before entering the flight pattern a WPAFB, turn around to make the pass. It was a late Saturday morning and a few hundred employees were waiting for the fly by. I first picked up a fast moving dot in the eastern horizon. Within seconds it was screaming down the runway at about 100 feet. As it cleared the runway, it made a sharp climb, I could see the engines light up brightly, and then it was gone. The entire event occurred in a matter of seconds, VERY impressive. My immediate thought was "I'm glad it is one of ours". I'm very proud to have worked on this project from February 1982 till November 1987. I worked with some very good people. Terry Borah, Mickey Clemens, Jack Queen, Matt Gulick, Artie Dukes, George DuFresne, T-2 Buckeyes, Sharks and many others
Saw one of these some over Farnborough near London. Set car alarms off in the car park. If you think this thing's a big bomber, take a look at the Avro Vulcan
I worked in FIF sub-assembly at Rockwell in Columbus from Aug of 85 thru August of 87. I was 21, great memories. I remember working on assemblies for aircraft #18, stayed 'til lay-offs. My first REAL aviation job. Have yet to see one fly.
My cousin, Verne Orr, as Secretary of the Air Force brought back the B-1 under Reagan after Carter had killed it. His Phd thesis was on the B-1 at the age of 88. When he died, the Air Force had a B-1 flyover of his home town, Pasadena, CA. There may have been problems-- but a cool looking bird.
I worked at Rockwell in Columbus from March of 86 thru August of 87. I was just a kid and drilling and filling in Forward Intermediate Fuselage, Top Deck, a short time in Final Assembly and right before layoff in engine nacelles.
Does anyone remember A.H.Payne? He was my dad and worked on the B-1 there in Losangeles or there bouts,where ever the Rockwell was. I just remembered living in Downy california. Anyways he was probably in tool and die or form blocks area as a job shopper. And did they ever build one of the B-1's with the crew escape capsule? It was one of the first prototypes drawn up.
For anyone that has not actually seen this aircraft in low level flight, they are missing an exhilarating experience. I spent twenty years in the USAF (Air Cargo) and this bird made the biggest impression upon me during that entire time. My impression was, wow that is the biggest fighter jet I have ever seen!!!
I got airplane fever in my blood, I'm 73 and always will love airplane, I live in las vegas nv. a few miles from Nellis afb. going home I ssaw a b-1b on final landing aproach, what a beatifull view. love air force, lazaro
It originally flew as the B-1A, a true supersonic bomber, before Carter-era politics killed it. A cheaper transonic version was revived by the Reagan administration as the B-1B, and it is this version that is now in service. The few B-1A prototypes and evaluation planes are now in museums.
There is a B-1A in the Wings over the Rockies Air and Space Museum. Damn, it's big! Photographs don't give a proper sense of the Bone's size.
I really liked this aircraft. As a machinist with little to no parts making parts for it proved a huge accomplishment. Awesome aircraft, the things it can do for its size and weight is unbelievable. I help put the one at RAFB at the museum, made some false stab actuators to keep the stabs lined up as they removed the actuators for canning along with just about everything else. I miss working on it!
As a former original B1B driver, all I can say is I miss the jet, It is not the Lancer, its called the B-one or as we earlier pilots called it the Nighthawk. The first one is obvious, the second was from Night Holiday And Weekend Killer. Once all the kinks were worked it out was a capable and fun airplane to fly, I miss going supersonic at 100 feet on the deck in the mountains, nothing else like it. Got to put the firt hours on the last 30 or so aircraft. A real pilots airplane.
WHEN I GOT OUT OF THE MARINE CORPS( STATIONED AT MCAS EL TORO , IN SANTA ANA, I WORKED AT ROCKWELL INTERNATIONAL IN PALMDALE, FROM PLANE # 26 UP, FROM JANUARY 86 UNTIL 1988
What is the history of the kill marking on 85-0083?
reply