[quote=pdf27;389140]The B-52 is yet another example of an American aircraft where the true performance is a great deal better than the published performance.
I very much doubt whether any B-52 has exceeded mach unity!
The B-36 is another classic example - until the MiG-17 came into common service, it could fly over any defence on earth with impunity.
I was airborne over RAF Sylt in a clean Hunter F6 (no drop tanks) when we were given a practice intercept on a B-36. It was visible for miles because of its 10 (TEN, count them!) contrails. Established in a fast climb I realised that the gunsight bars did not go up to the 230' span of the Peacemaker. I had to guess the tailplane span. Even that was a waste of effort as we could not reach the B-36. We were much faster, but about 2,000' below it. I can't recall what altitude we were at, but probably over 50,000'. What a sight it was, as it was decorated in a fancy scheme. Later we heard that it was probably the 'featherweight' version. Some feather!
Mind you, Canberras could fly higher than us, and were equally immune from interception.