The origins of the U.S. Air Force’s B-1 Lancer date as far back as the 1960s, but it didn’t enter service until October 1, 1986. Its extended gestation included several program cancellations and reinstatements, but the resulting aircraft was a supersonic-capable long-range multi-role bomber. Eventually, four B-1A and 100 B-1B bombers were to roll off the factory floor. Because there was a space of nearly 20 years between the initial vision and actual fruition, it was necessary to modify the B-1A to reflect interim advances in technology. Thus the B-1B was born, with revised avionics, payload, range and speed.

Dragon’s 1/144 scale aircraft range features a special version of the B-1B Lancer. The aircraft depicted is a B-1B from the Test Program, an aircraft designed to test improvements incorporated over the B-1A. It is finished with test program markings reproduced by Cartograf slide decals. The model carefully captures the sleek, streamlined appearance of the B-1, and it makes for a stunning display piece. Interestingly, the B-1 “Bone” is the last variable sweep-wing aircraft in the USAF inventory, and thanks to this miniature masterpiece from Dragon, collectors can have their own supersonic slice of history!