31 USAF B-52 Stratofortress Bombers were lost in the Vietnam War; however the US Air Force only acknowledges 30. North Vietnamese Air Force MIG-21 pilot, Lt. Gen. Pham Tuan reportedly shot down a B-52 with an Air to Air missile on 26 December 1972, during the Nixon's Christmas Bombing over North Vietnam. However, the USAF states that that B-52 was shot down by part of Hanoi's Air Defense Ground Systems; a SAM (Surface to Air Missile).
Approximately 30 (some sources state 31) B52 Stratofortress's were lost in the Vietnam War. Nearly half of them were shot down by SAMs (Surface to Air Missiles) during the last month of 1972 during President Nixon's "Christmas Bombing" campaign (operation linebacker & Linebacker II). One NVAF MiG21 pilot, MAJ Pham Tuan claimed a B52 kill with his air to air missile on 26 Dec '72. If the aerial victory could be confirmed, he would be the only airman in history to have downed a B52 in combat. The USAF confirmed that a Stratofortress had been downed on that date and location; but credited the shoot down to a SAM. MAJ Pham Tuan went on to become Vietnam's first cosmonaut when he and Soviet cosmonaut Viktor Gorbatko were launched into space from the Baikonur Cosmodrome on 23 July 1980.
In Vietnam, the rumor was the B52's killed him.
The most spectacular footage that may have been censored by the government, since it hasn't been seen again; but it was aired on television many years ago (10 or 20 yrs). Flights of B52 Stratofortress bombers over North Vietnam, possibly during President Nixon's Linebacker II campaign. One or more of the B52's were shown in flight being struck by SAMs (Surface to Air Missiles). One B52 in particular was struck where the wing connected with the fuselage and the bomber's wing folded upwards as the aircraft began it's downward dive to earth. During that air campaign, two NVAF MiG-21s were shot down by B52 tail gunners (confirmed aerial kills) and one NVAF MiG-21 claimed a B52 kill. All B52's probably had cameras during that mission, as B52's were critical...and camera coverage was necessary to correct errors and review after action analysis. Consequenly, some of those aforementioned actions may have also been aired during that sequence.
The B17, B24, and B29s were the heavy bombers of WWII. The B52 was the heavy bomber of the Vietnam War.
Lieutenant James Magellan was a pilot for the Marine Corp during the Vietnam war. His plane was shot down and he lost hos life during the war.
Prisoners of War; nearly all were downed airmen (shot down US airmen) over North Vietnam.
Used to be an enlisted man. The Vietnam War was the last war to have bomber tailgunners. Two B52 tailgunners shot down two NVAF MiG21s in December 1972; for the last time in history.
B52 Nixon, Commander in Chief; used the B52 against North Vietnam more than any other US president.
B52 Stratofortress heavy bombers commenced operations in theater in 1965.
SACs B52 Stratofortress was the deciding factor.
1. Histories last war in which a heavy bomber's (B52) tail gunner shot down an enemy interceptor in aerial combat. 2. Last US war of the 20th century with jet aces (two-both flew the F4 Phantom).
Tricky Dick, as known to the American people; B52 Nixon as known to the GIs in Vietnam.
In Vietnam, the rumor was the B52's killed him.
Yes, his A4 Skyhawk was shot down.
The most spectacular footage that may have been censored by the government, since it hasn't been seen again; but it was aired on television many years ago (10 or 20 yrs). Flights of B52 Stratofortress bombers over North Vietnam, possibly during President Nixon's Linebacker II campaign. One or more of the B52's were shown in flight being struck by SAMs (Surface to Air Missiles). One B52 in particular was struck where the wing connected with the fuselage and the bomber's wing folded upwards as the aircraft began it's downward dive to earth. During that air campaign, two NVAF MiG-21s were shot down by B52 tail gunners (confirmed aerial kills) and one NVAF MiG-21 claimed a B52 kill. All B52's probably had cameras during that mission, as B52's were critical...and camera coverage was necessary to correct errors and review after action analysis. Consequenly, some of those aforementioned actions may have also been aired during that sequence.
More than half the B52 bomber force was based in Thailand.
The B52 Stratofortess. During the Vietnam War, one B52 could carry up to 108 750lb HE bombs. That was equal to about 10 World War 2 B17 bombers.
Although the first B52s were lost to operational causes during the Vietnam War in 1965; the first loss to a SAM (Surface to Air Missile) occurred on 22 November 1972. The first probable kill (USAF disputes claim, states B52 was downed by a SAM) of a Stratofortress to an enemy jet (MiG21) flown by NVAF MAJ Pham Tuan was on 26 December 1972.