From left: Magruder, Alvin M. “Tex” Johnston and Lt. Col. Guy M. Townsend confer near the YB-52, which made its first flight on April 15, 1952. (U.S. Air Force/Getty Images)
Initially ordered as XB-52. Made first flight Apr 15, 1952. XB-52 serial number 49-230 did not fly first due to a hydraulic problem. Acceped by USAF Mar 1953. Bailed to Boeing until 1957-58.
Donated to USAF Museum at Wright Patterson AFB, Ohio but scrapped in the mid 1960s apparently as a result of President Lyndon Johnson’s wife’s proposal to clean up surplus military hardware. (US Air Force)