How Fast Could the U.S. Drop a Hydrogen Bomb? | The Epic Nonstop Flights of Lucky Lady II & III

Could America really send a hydrogen bomb anywhere on Earth—faster than you could order a pizza—in the 1950s? Buckle in as we uncover the jaw-dropping true story of Lieutenant Colonel James H. Morris and the record-shattering flights of Lucky Lady II and III!

From the first-ever nonstop flight around the globe in 1949 to the supersonic B-52 jet dash of 1957, these missions weren't just tests of endurance—they were high-stakes exhibitions of Cold War power and technological courage. Discover how aerial refueling changed aviation forever, why Lucky Lady III sliced the world-flight time in half, and what it all meant for keeping the planet on edge during the nuclear era.

Transcript:
Speaker 1: Here’s a wild question—how fast could the U.S. deliver a hydrogen bomb to any corner of the planet… in the 1950s?

Speaker 2: I’m gonna guess, “quicker than your last pizza delivery,” but there’s got to be more to it.

Speaker 1: Oh, there is! It all started in 1949, when Lieutenant Colonel James H. Morris copiloted Lucky Lady II, making the first nonstop flight around the world in a B-50 bomber. Four in-air refuelings, nearly four days, and a lot of cold coffee later, they proved global reach was possible.

Speaker 2: Impressive! But you still haven’t answered the pizza—uh, hydrogen bomb—question.

Speaker 1: Fast forward to 1957. Morris, now commander, leads Lucky Lady III—this time a B-52 jet—around the globe in just over 45 hours. That’s less than half the time it took Lucky Lady II.

Speaker 2: So, America just told the world, “We can send a jet—and, yes, a hydrogen bomb—anywhere, twice as fast as before.”

Speaker 1: Exactly. Next time someone brags about their speedy deliveries, tell them about Lucky Lady III.

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