The Best American Plane to Never Fight - XB-51

The Martin XB-51 was a colossal bomber aircraft built in the late 1940s that exceeded all expectations and was probably the finest bomber that never went to battle.
Not to be confused with the B-52, one of the most famous aircraft of all time, the B-51's lifespan was too brief to be awarded an official nickname. Still, its unusually prolonged shape granted it the moniker of "The Flying Cigar."
Faster than almost any fighter of its time, military experts believe the Martin XB-51 could have made a substantial difference in the Southeast Asian wars, but it was never produced.
Defense analyst Robert Dorr wrote in the Defence Media Network: (QUOTE): “The XB-51 incorporated a rotary weapons bay that enabled it to deliver bombs while flying at high speed. Capable of 645 mph at sea level in level flight, the XB-51 would have been able to run away from most fighters of its era.”
Despite successful trial runs and a promising future, the B-51 project was ultimately canceled for mysterious political reasons...
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