Concept Aircraft : Russian Nuclear-Powered Bomber (1959)

Russian Nuclear-Powered Bomber (1959)

In the late 1950's, with the Soviets kicking America's proverbial ass in the Space Race, it was not hard to imagine that they'd soon achieve strategic air superiority as well. So when the aviation rumor mill began to buzz with stories about a new Russian long-range bomber powered by atomic engines, many people were inclined to believe the worst. (In fact, atomic engines were also being contemplated by American scientists at the time. )

Aviation Week published a four-page article on the "mystery" plane on December 1, 1958 -- an article that later turned out to be filled with Soviet mis- and dis-information. Yes, there was a new bomber in the works -- the "Bounder" -- and, much to everyone's disappointment -- and relief -- its engines were not only conventional, they weren't even very good. The plane never went into production.

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