First taking to the air in June of 1955, this B-52 began its illustrious, nearly 50-year USAF and NASA career as a bomb navigation system test airplane for the USAF's B-52 fleet. Ironically, test bomber spent most of its career dropping flight research vehicles rather than bombs. In 1959, it became one of two mothership launch aircraft for the X-15 program, which paved the way for America's early manned spaceflight efforts. Nicknamed "Double-0-Eight" and "Balls Eight" cut its teeth launching 106 of the 199 X-15 flights. At its retirement on 17 December 2004, Balls 8 was the oldest active B-52.

Photographer: Peter Mancus.