The most durable warplane ever built, the giant B-52 Stratofortress, will play a key role in the Australian International Airshow 2015.
Two of these classic bombers will participate in the event.
One will fly direct from its overseas base on the Friday of Airshow week and perform an eye-catching display.
Then, without landing, it will return home, a round trip of 16 hours.
The second aircraft will remain on static display at Avalon (all week) for those wanting to get up close and personal with this legendry aircraft.
Its massive swept back wings and long sleek fuselage make the B-52 one of the most highly recognizable aircraft of all time; it is truly an icon of aviation design.
These leviathans of the sky have an amazing history of longevity and service unrivalled in military aviation.
Design work began in 1946 and the first prototype made it maiden flight in 1952.
Between 1954 and 1963 the United States Air Force took delivery of 742 of these elegant high altitude bombers. They were nuclear capable and built as a front line deterrent during the Cold War era.
B-52s have seen action in many wars and conflicts. During the Vietnam War they flew hundreds of missions; the aircraft also served with distinction in the Gulf War and in Afghanistan.
The US Global Strike Command currently has 58 Stratofortresses on its active list and another 18 in reserve.
It is expected B-52s will remain in service until 2045, almost a century after they first rolled off the Boeing production line. The mighty Stratofortress rightfully carries legend status.
The B-52 will be just a part of a large and highly impressive United States contingent scheduled to appear at the Avalon-based event.
Its participation, like all other military aircraft due to attend, will depend on operational demands at the time.
The Australian International Airshow and Aerospace and Defence Exposition will be staged at Avalon Airport 24 February to 1 March.
The event is open to the public from the afternoon of Friday 27 February and all day Saturday and Sunday.
