I was glad to see the B-52 as the top bomber of all time, but I have a problem. The show said that the B-52 had no defensive armament. I spent 4 years working on the B-52's defensive gun turret. The A thru G models had 4 .50 caliber machine guns mounted in a radar control gun turret in the tail of the aircraft. The H model had a 20mm cannon in the tail. In 1972 and 73, when we were bombing Hanoi and Haiphong, we used the guns for the first time and shot down several MIGs with them.

The defensive armament (tail guns) was removed in the mid '90s. When the draw down occurred, it was decided that the BUFF didn't really need a tail gun or gunner anymore. I have worked B52G's and H's when they had the tail guns (back in 91-93) and now I'm back working them. (weapons loader.

Dear Demsul:
You wrote you had "worked B-52Gs and Hs when they had the tail guns (back in 91-93)and now I'm back working them (weapons loader)."

Do you mean to say you're now a weapons loader who puts ammo in B-52 tail guns? That the military changed its mind and again has B-52s armed with active tail guns?

Never worked the b-52 but agree it should be number one. However, I disagree that the B-1 was not on the list. As far as I'm concerned it should be number 2 or 3. I worked it for 5 years, the f-16 for 2 years and the f-111 d/ef/f for 4 years. Always aircraft armament...462!

the b 1 lancer should have been include, it being the only operational supersonic bomber

I have no connection with it but agree the B-52 must be #1. However, although it wasn't supersonic, wasn't stealth and didn't carry nuclear bombs; at a time when victory was truly in question, the B-17 packed a punch, took the hits and made a heroic statement. It was the backbone of the 8th Air Force and flew when air superiority was a real battle.