Cockpit Conversion Clinches the Deal
The XB-52 and YB-52 introduced most of the basic features of the famous B-52 series, but they had one striking difference: Instead of the side-by-side cockpit that was standard on all production B-52s, they sported fighter-type tandem cockpits, similar to what was used on the Boeing B-47.
Though they did not consider the feature aesthetically pleasing, Boeing engineers included it in an effort to reduce drag. Almost everyone thought it was a great idea.
Everyone except Gen. Curtis E. LeMay, chief of the U.S. Air Force's Strategic Air Command. A plain-speaking, cigar-chomping pilot, LeMay had flown bombers since the early 1930s. He had definite ideas about a bomber's cockpit, and he didn't think it should look like a fighter's cockpit.
He believed that the traditional side-by-side seating arrangement allowed for better placement of the flight instruments and better coordination between the pilot and co-pilot.
In early 1951 Boeing President Bill Allen and other executives looked on as LeMay inspected the XB-52 mock-up.
According to Tex Johnston in his autobiography "Jet-Age Test Pilot," the conversation went something like this:
"How do you like her, General?" asked Allen.
LeMay stuck his cigar between his teeth, looked Allen in the eye and said, "You have a hell of an airplane, Allen. As soon as you put a side-by-side cockpit on it, I'll buy some."
It was too late to modify the two prototypes, but all production B-52s had side-by-side seating for the pilot and co-pilot.
