AIR: Grandpappy

Oldsters of the Air Corps arriving in the Canal Zone nowadays are greeted by a familiar face. "Grandpappy," only air plane in the world that, is systematically referred to as "he," is still at work there.

"Grandpappy" is what flyers call the BIS, first of the really big modern U.S. bombers. He is only six years old, but such age automatically qualifies any plane as an octogenarian. Grandpappy is the only B15 ever built.

Originally designed (by Boeing) as a combat plane, Grandpappy long since has been only a packhorse. His insigne is an...

Want the full story?

Subscribe Now

Subscribe
Subscribe

Learn more about the benefits of being a TIME subscriber

If you are already a subscriber sign up — registration is free!