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Russian oligarch tries to buy a USAF B-52

by on27 August 2007

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Seen Dr.Strangelove one time too many

 
The US delegation at the MAKS 2007 air show was stunned when approached by a Russian businessman offering to buy one of their strategic bombers.

One of the baffled American pilots aparently told him that the plane was not for sale, but that it would cost him at least $500 million.

"That is no problem. It is such a cool machine," said the anonymous and obscenely wealthy Russian, according to the Komsomolskaya Pravda newspaper.

The B-52's are some of the most iconic machines of the Cold War. However, in spite of their age these venerable birds are constantly upgraded and modernized, with state of the art avionics, weapons systems, communication, navigation and EW suites.

Capable of carrying the latest and deadliest cruise missiles and smart bombs in the US arsenal, they're not exactly something one would sell to a shady charachter with $500 million to spare.

Maybe he wanted it for his kids, who knows ? Back to school, nouveau riche style.

Last modified on 27 August 2007
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