The B-52 Stratofortress™ is an American long-range, subsonic, jet-powered strategic bomber. It was designed and built by Boeing, which has continued to provide support and upgrades. The B-52 has been a mainstay of the United States Air Force since 1955 and is expected to remain in service through 2050. The bomber can carry up to 70,000 pounds of weapons and has a combat range of around 8,800 miles.
On 14 October 1947, the Bell X-1 rocket powered experimental aircraft, piloted by the legendary test pilot, Chuck Yeager, became the first airplane to fly faster than the speed of sound. To accomplish this feat, the aircraft was air-launched at 7,000 meters (23,000 feet) from the belly of a WWII bomber. In tribute to his wife, Yeager named the airplane "Glamorous Glennis".
The Western Black Widow is a venomous spider found in western regions of North America. The female is recognized by an hourglass-shaped red mark on her lower abdomen. She poses a greater threat than the male, but her aggression surfaces only when she feels threatened or protecting her eggs. Although bites should be treated with medical care, recent studies have not confirmed fatalities caused by any U.S. species of black widow.