Steve Ferguson (American, B. 1946) "B-52D Stratofortress" Signed lower right. Original oil painting on Cold Press Illustration Board. Provenance: Collection of James A. Helzer (1946-2008), Founder of Unicover Corporation. This painting was originally published on the Republic of the Marshall Islands 32c B-52 Stratofortress stamp issued July 19, 1997. The B-52 Stratofortress entered service in 1952 and quickly became the backbone of the Strategic Air Command. Armed with nuclear weapons, B-52s maintained 24-hour alerts throughout most of the Cold War. During the Vietnam War, Stratofortresses flew more than 126,000 sorties and were used as recently as the 1991 Persian Gulf War. Image Size: 16.5 x 14 in. Overall Size: 20.25 x 15 in. Unframed. (B14199)