Accessibility links
B-52 History Today is the 50th anniversary of the first flight of a B-52 bomber. Liane Hansen talks with Brigadier General Guy Townsend, U.S. Army (retired), who was the first B-52 test pilot. (4:45) (Please note this story was corrected on air on April 18, 2002: "We start with a small correction to our interview with Gen. Guy Townsend. Gen. Townsend talked about his experience on the test flight of the B-52 bomber 50 years ago. He called his co-pilot Tex Johnson. Jennings Heilig of Staunton, Va., reminds us the name was actually Tex Johnston, with a "t". ")

All Things Considered

B-52 History

Heard on All Things Considered

B-52 History

Listen · 4:33
  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/1141752/141752" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">

Today is the 50th anniversary of the first flight of a B-52 bomber. Liane Hansen talks with Brigadier General Guy Townsend, U.S. Army (retired), who was the first B-52 test pilot. (4:45) (Please note this story was corrected on air on April 18, 2002: "We start with a small correction to our interview with Gen. Guy Townsend. Gen. Townsend talked about his experience on the test flight of the B-52 bomber 50 years ago. He called his co-pilot Tex Johnson. Jennings Heilig of Staunton, Va., reminds us the name was actually Tex Johnston, with a "t". ")