Around the world in 45 Hours & 19 Minutes
The first jet to circle the globe
Our Boeing B-52, tail #53-394, was known as Lucky Lady III. As lead Stratofortress of Operation Power Flite, the USAF Strategic Air Command's eight-engine jet bomber departed California's Castle Air Force Base in January of 1957, becoming the first jet engine to circle the globe nonstop via in-flight refueling.
The momentous 24,325 mile trip was completed in 45 hours, 19 minutes after landing at March Air Force Base in Riverside, California. The flight around the globe won not only the 1957 Mackay Trophy, but also landed Lucky Lady III on the prized cover of Life magazine.
OUR PLANE'S STORY
Later renamed “City of El Paso”, this B-52 was retired to the National Museum of the United States Air Force. Saved from the scrap heap by Walter Soplata in 1984, the PlaneTags team pulled her out of his forest collection, saving the aircraft for historical preservation and bringing to you as limited edition PlaneTags. Claim a piece of Lucky Lady III for your collection before she's gone.
B-52 Lucky Lady III
Characteristics:
- Manufacturer: Boeing
- B-52B-35BO Construction Number (C/N): 16873
- Serial #: 53-394
- Crew: 5
- Length: 48.5 m
- Wing Span: 56.4 m
- Height: 12.4 m
- Max Speed: 1,047 km/h
- Cruising Speed: 844 km/h
- Combat Range: 7,210 km
- Service Ceiling: 15,000 m
- Bombs: 31,500 kg
- Engines: 8 x Pratt & Whitney JT3D
DISCLAIMER
Handmade Aviation Tags
PlaneTags are:
- Authentic - made from actual retired aircraft fuselage, not merely stamped metal.
- Unique - each PlaneTag bears the color, thickness, and wear and tear from the portion of the fuselage from which it was cut and it is therefore rare to create two identical PlaneTags.
- Collectible - each one is numbered in a limited edition and comes attached to a display card.
- Versatile - comes with a durable metal ring, strong enough to attach to luggage or keys or display.
- Please Note: Due to limited quantities, combination colors you may receive will vary.
*Important Notice – Please Read Carefully
PlaneTags are made from actual retired aircraft fuselage, not merely stamped metal. Because PlaneTags are made from real fuselage, each PlaneTag bears the color, thickness, and wear and tear from the portion of the fuselage from which it was cut and it is therefore rare to create two identical PlaneTags. These variations and imperfections are not product flaws. They are part of the beauty of PlaneTags. As a result, you will not have an option to select the color of your PlaneTag. The images on this website are provided for reference only and should not be used as the sole basis for choosing a particular PlaneTag.
