Geoff Thomas
The presence in the static park of Boeing's B-1B Lancer long-range strategic bomber is a first for Asian Aerospace.
Although the B-1B is scarcely new technology - the first production example being delivered to the US Air Force back in June 1985 - the supersonic swing-wing bomber is still one of the most spectacular aircraft in America's arsenal.
Powered by four General Electric F-101-GE-102 turbofans with afterburners, there are few more spectacular sights than a Lancer climbing away vertically - afterburners glowing - after a fast fly-by with the wings fully swept back.
Capable of more than Mach 1.2 at sea level, the Lancer has a crew of four and it can carry up to 84 500lb bombs or a wide range of nuclear weapons.
Built at a unit cost of more than $200 million, the last of 100 Lancers built by North American Aircraft, which is now part of Boeing, was delivered to the USAF in May 1988.
The Lancer holds 61 records for speed, payload and distance and was recognised by the National Aeronautic Association of America for completing one of the most 10 memorable record flights in 1994.
Source: Flight Daily News