Description
US Air Force B-2A Stealth Bomber.
TheB-2 Spiritis a long-range, heavy strategic bomber developed byNorthrop Grummanfor theUnited States Air Force. First flown in1989and entering service in1997, the B-2 is renowned for its distinctiveflying-wing designand advancedstealth technology, enabling it to penetrate dense air defences and deliver both conventional and nuclear weapons.
Conceived during theCold Warto counter evolving Soviet defences, the B-2’slow observable characteristics, combined with high payload capacity and intercontinental range, give it unique strategic value. Despite its advanced design, development and production were slow and costly. Following collapse of the Soviet Union the plan for 132 aircraft was cut and subsequently only21 B-2A aircraftwere built.
Only theB-2A variantwas produced. There were proposals and conceptual developments for further variants, but these never entered service. The nameSpiritwas officially applied to the B-2A bomber at its rollout ceremony on22 November 1988.
At that event, the aircraft was formally revealed to the public for the first time atNorthrop’s facilities in Palmdale, California, and it was announced as theB-2 Spirit, reflecting its stealthy, almost ghost-like ability to avoid detection.
Subsequently, each individual aircraft received its own unique name, typically honouring a U.S. state, such as“Spirit of America”,“Spirit of Kansas”,“Spirit of New York”.
B-2s operate in frontline service today with the509th Bomb Wingbased atWhiteman Air Force Base, Missouri. Periodic upgrades will extend its operational life into the2030s. Two aircraft have been lost in accidents.
New tooling. 4 new sprues plus clear parts. Choice of 5 markings. Paint mask included.
Box code: 12645
Box description: USAF B-2A Stealth Bomber
1:144 scale plastic model kit from Academy, requires paint and glue.
There are no reviews yet.